Seasonal Sedimentation Of Phytoplankton To The Deep-Sea Benthos

Billett, DSM, Lampitt, RS, Rice, AL and Mantoura, RFC 1983 Seasonal Sedimentation Of Phytoplankton To The Deep-Sea Benthos. Nature, 302 (5908). 520 - 522. https://doi.org/10.1038/302520a0

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Abstract/Summary

Until recently the deep sea was considered to be a particularly stable environment1, free from seasonal variations. However, atmospheric storms may cause periodicity in deep-ocean currents2 and nepheloid layers3 while seasonality in the particulate flux to the deep sea is known to occur in the Sargasso Sea4,5 and Panama Basin6. Evidence is presented here of a similar seasonal pulse of detrital material to bathyal and abyssal depths in temperate latitudes; this material seems to be derived directly from the surface primary production and to sink rapidly to the deep-sea benthos. Considerable sedimentation occurs soon after the spring bloom and continues throughout the early summer. This process acts as a pathway for the descent of carbon from the euphotic zone, providing a periodic food source for the deep pelagic and benthic communities.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Divisions:	Plymouth Marine Laboratory > Other (PML)
Depositing User:	EPrints Services
Date made live:	11 Feb 2014 15:54
Last Modified:	06 Jun 2017 16:03
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/2684

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