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Physical controls on the seasonal migration of the North Pacific transition zone chlorophyll front
Citation
Ayers, JM and Lozier, MS, Physical controls on the seasonal migration of the North Pacific transition zone chlorophyll front, Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 115, (C5) Article C05001. ISSN 0148-0227 (2010) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2010 American Geophysical Union
Abstract
The large seasonal migration of the transition zone chlorophyll front (TZCF) is of
interest because a number of marine fauna, both commercial and endangered, appear to
track it. Herein we examine the physical dynamics driving this seasonal migration of the
TZCF. Vertical processes, traditionally viewed as controlling the dynamical supply of
nutrients to surface waters, prove insufficient to explain seasonal variations in nutrient
supply to the transition zone. Instead, we find that the horizontal Ekman transport of
nutrients from higher latitudes drives the TZCF’s southward migration. The estimated
horizontal transport of nitrate supports up to 40% of new primary productivity in the
region annually and nearly all of new primary productivity in the winter. The significance
of horizontal advection to the North Pacific transition zone supports revising the paradigm
that nutrients are supplied to surface waters from below.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | North Pacific Transition Zone, Nitrate, Ekman |
Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
Research Group: | Oceanography |
Research Field: | Chemical oceanography |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Air quality, atmosphere and weather |
Objective Field: | Atmospheric composition (incl. greenhouse gas inventory) |
UTAS Author: | Ayers, JM (Dr Jennifer Ayers) |
ID Code: | 89438 |
Year Published: | 2010 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 68 |
Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2014-03-05 |
Last Modified: | 2014-06-03 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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