Variability in biogeochemical fluxes in the oligotrophic central pacific: Results of the Hawaii Ocean Time-series Program

Conference · Tue Jan 09 00:00:00 EST 1990 · EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union; (United States)

OSTI ID:6655143

Winn, C; Hebel, D; Letelier, R; Bird, D; Karl, D ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu (United States)

The Hawaii Ocean Time-series Program has been conducting a long-term investigation of the oceanic carbon cycle in the oligotrophic North Pacific Ocean. The specific objective of the program is to assess annual and interannual variability in biogeochemical fluxes in the central portion of the world's largest ocean basin. The program has now made measurements at a single location in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (22[degrees] 45[prime]N, 158[degrees]W) for one year. Primary production rates have been consistently higher than historical values. Rates of primary production have varied from 250 mg C m[sup -2] d[sup -1] to 1000 mg C m[sup -2] d[sup -1], with an annual average of approximately 450 mg C m[sup -2] d[sup -1]. The flux of carbon leaving the euphotic zone has varied between 5 and 15% of the contemporaneous rate of carbon fixation, and the f-ratio using sediment trap nitrogen flux data averages approximately 0.13. Integrated plankton biomass (chl a, ATP, LPS and direct microscopy) has displayed little variability, however the position and magnitude of the in vivo fluorescence maximum has changed considerably between months. Although substantial differences between monthly sampling intervals have been observed, variability at our deep water station appears to be stochastic with little evidence of a seasonal cycle.

• OSTI ID: 6655143
• Report Number(s): CONF-9002174-; CODEN: EOSTAJ
• Journal Information: EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union; (United States), Vol. 71:2; Conference: Ocean sciences meeting, New Orleans, LA (United States), 12-16 Feb 1990; ISSN 0096-3941
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
PACIFIC OCEAN
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
VARIATIONS
ANNUAL VARIATIONS
BIOMASS
CARBON
CARBON CYCLE
FLUORESCENCE
HAWAII
MONITORING
NITROGEN
PLANKTON
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CHEMISTRY
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
GEOCHEMISTRY
LUMINESCENCE
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
540310* - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (1990-)