Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
CO
2
in
CO
2
out
PAR
Higher trophic levels
Phytoplankton
Mesozooplankton
Microzooplankton
Heterotrophic
bacteria
Mixing?
Pycnocline
Mixing?
Heterotrophic
bacteria
C export
N supply
Heterotrophic
bacteria
Figure 5.19
Themainpathwaysofcarbonandnitrogeninthewatercolumn.Blacklinesshow
routes for dissolved inorganic nitrogen, solid grey lines show the routes taken by organic material.
The dashed grey lines represent dissolved inorganic carbon. The long-term export of carbon to
the deep ocean or the continental slope and the source of new nitrate from across the shelf edge
will determine the balance of the CO
2
flux across the sea surface. Note that mixing across the
pycnocline controls the transfers of dissolved nitrogen and carbon back into surface waters.
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