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Nitrogen uptake in the Weddell Sea during late winter and spring

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Summary

Uptake rates of ammonium, nitrate and urea were measured during the EPOS leg 1 cruise to the Weddell Sea in October–November 1988 using the isotope 15N. Nitrate was the most important nitrogen source both for ice algae (f-ratio ≥0.88) and for phytoplankton in the water column (f-ratio ≥0.85). Indications of a gradual decrease in % new production with time were found in the outer marginal ice zone. Nitrogen uptake rates in ice algae from the sub-ice assemblage were light-limited at in situ irradiances. Significant regeneration of ammonium was found in ice algal samples only.

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Data presented here were collected during the European Polarstern Study (EPOS) sponsored by the European Science Foundation

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Kristiansen, S., Syvertsen, E.E. & Farbrot, T. Nitrogen uptake in the Weddell Sea during late winter and spring. Polar Biol 12, 245–251 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00238266

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00238266

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