Nitrogen and Phosphorus Budgets in the Northwestern Mediterranean Deep Convection Region

4 years ago

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Budgets in the Northwestern Mediterranean Deep Convection Region

Fabrizio D'Ortenzio, Vincent Taillandier, Patrick Marsaleix, Jocelyne Caparros, Pascal Conan, Patrick Raimbault, Caroline Ulses, Faycal Kessouri, Tatiana Severin, Claude Estournel, Mireille Pujo-Pay, Pierre Testor, Orens Pasqueron de Fommervault

The aim of this study is to understand the biogeochemical cycles of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea (NW Med), where a recurrent spring bloom related to dense water formation occurs. We used a coupled physical-biogeochemical model at high resolution to simulate realistic one-year period and analyze the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycles. First, the model was evaluated using cruises carried out in winter, spring and summer and a Bio-Argo float deployed in spring. Then, the annual cycle of meteorological and hydrodynamical forcing and nutrients stocks in the upper layer were analyzed. Third, the effect of biogeochemical and physical processes on N and P was quantified. Fourth, we quantified the effects of the physical and biological processes on the seasonal changes of the molar NO3:PO4 ratio, particularly high compared to the global ocean. The deep convection reduced the NO3:PO4 ratio of upper waters, but consumption by phytoplankton increased it. Finally, N and P budgets were estimated. At the annual scale, this area constituted a sink of inorganic and a source of organic N and P for the peripheral area. NO3 and PO4 were horizontally advected from the peripheral regions into the intermediate waters (130-800 m) of the deep convection area, while organic matter was exported throughout the whole water column toward the surrounding areas. The annual budget suggests that the NW Med deep convection constitutes a major source of nutrients for the photic zone of the Mediterranean Sea.

Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi

DOI: 10.1002/2016JC012665