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Particulate organic matter flux and planktonic new production in the deep ocean

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Abstract

Primary production in the oceans results from allochthonous nutrient inputs to the euphotic zone (new production) and from nutrient recycling in the surface waters (regenerated production). Global new production is of the order of 3.4−4.7 × 109 tons of carbon per year and approximates the sinking flux of paniculate organic matter to the deep ocean.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Marine Resources, A-018, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093

    Richard W. Eppley

  2. Marine Biological Laboratory, Ecosystems Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 02543

    Bruce J. Peterson

Authors
  1. Richard W. Eppley
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  2. Bruce J. Peterson
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Eppley, R., Peterson, B. Particulate organic matter flux and planktonic new production in the deep ocean. Nature 282, 677–680 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/282677a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/282677a0

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