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Correlations between phytoplankton, organic detritus and carbon in North Sea waters during the Fladenground Experiment (FLEX' 76)

Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen volume 35, pages 253–262 (1982)Cite this article

Abstract

Quantitative analysis of phytoplankton, organic detritus and dissolved organic carbon was carried out, during the spring bloom, in a specific North Sea area (58° 55′ N, O° 32′ E) in the course of an international and multidisciplinary marine investigation (FLEX' 76). An attempt was made to correlate the fluctuations of these variables; the analysis, however, was complicated by massive water movements. A maximum of the phytoplankton bloom coincided with a maximum of organic detritus, while both variables turned out to be inversely correlated with the dissolved organic carbon content. The initial, high amount of dissolved organic carbon declined at a daily rate of ca. 13% during a period of non-interference by water movements. Two thirds of the dissolved organic carbon content are assumed to be transformed into particulate organic matter whilst the rest disappears through still unknown channels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biologische Anstalt Helgoland (Meeresstation), D-2192, Helgoland

    G. Gassmann

  2. Biologische Anstalt Helgoland (Zentrale), Notkestraße 31, D-2000, Hamburg 52, Federal Republic of Germany

    M. Gillbricht

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  1. G. Gassmann
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  2. M. Gillbricht
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Gassmann, G., Gillbricht, M. Correlations between phytoplankton, organic detritus and carbon in North Sea waters during the Fladenground Experiment (FLEX' 76). Helgolander Meeresunters 35, 253–262 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01997556

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01997556

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Helgoland Marine Research

ISSN: 1438-3888

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