Arlu. mar. Biol., Vol. 8, 1970, 1-118
PARTICULATE ORGANIC MATTER IN SEA WATER
GORDON A. RILEY
Institute of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax,
Nova Scotia, Canada
I. Introduction
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A. Methods
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T3. Visual Examination of Non-living Partirulnto Matter
11. Distribution of Particulate Organic Matter in tho Sea
C. Particulate Organic Carbon
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111. Chemical Composition . . ..
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A. Elcrncntary Composition
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B. Uiochemical Composition. . . .
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C. Relationships of Organic and Inorganic Materials
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IV. Experimontal Studies of Non-living Particulate Matter
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B. In situ Production and Utilization
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V. General Discussion
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A. Adsorption on Bubbles . .
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C. Sinking Rates
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A. Re-examination of tho Aggregation Process . .
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B. Dynamics of Production and Consumption of Non-living Particulate
Matter in the Sea
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VT. References
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1
4
4
7
12
29
29
32
36
40
40
49
66
75
75
79
112
I. INTRODUCTION
The non-living organic matter in sea water is ultimately derived
from a variety of plant sources, including phytoplankton, attached
aquatic vegetation in shallow waters, macroscopic pelagic algae, and
waterborne and windborne materials of terrestrial origin. The relative
importance of these various sources cannot be stated precisely, but
there is little doubt that phytoplankton is the most important source.
Phytoplankton production, as determined by C14 fixation, falls within
the range of 50-15Og of carbon per m2 in a year in the major ocean
basins ; however, some regions, notably the high arctic, are less productive than this and higher levels are attained in some coastal and
estuarine waters and probably in oceanic areas of intense upwelling.
Recent work suggests that present methods may underrate total
1
PARTICULATE ORGANIC MATTER IN SEA WATER
GORDON A. RILEY
Institute of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax,
Nova Scotia, Canada
I. Introduction
. . . . ..
..
. .
.. ..
. .
A. Methods
. .
..
..
. .
..
. .
. .
T3. Visual Examination of Non-living Partirulnto Matter
11. Distribution of Particulate Organic Matter in tho Sea
C. Particulate Organic Carbon
. .
..
. .
..
111. Chemical Composition . . ..
.. .. .. ..
A. Elcrncntary Composition
. .
. .
. .
..
B. Uiochemical Composition. . . .
. .
..
..
C. Relationships of Organic and Inorganic Materials
. .
IV. Experimontal Studies of Non-living Particulate Matter
. .
B. In situ Production and Utilization
. . .. ..
V. General Discussion
. .
. .
..
. .
. .
. .
A. Adsorption on Bubbles . .
. . . . .. ..
C. Sinking Rates
. .
..
.. .. .. ..
A. Re-examination of tho Aggregation Process . .
..
B. Dynamics of Production and Consumption of Non-living Particulate
Matter in the Sea
. .
. . ..
..
..
. . ..
VT. References
..
..
..
. . .. .. .. .. ..
. . . .
..
..
. .
..
. .
. .
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..
..
. . . .
..
. .
. . ..
. . . .
. .
..
..
..
..
..
. . ..
. .
1
4
4
7
12
29
29
32
36
40
40
49
66
75
75
79
112
I. INTRODUCTION
The non-living organic matter in sea water is ultimately derived
from a variety of plant sources, including phytoplankton, attached
aquatic vegetation in shallow waters, macroscopic pelagic algae, and
waterborne and windborne materials of terrestrial origin. The relative
importance of these various sources cannot be stated precisely, but
there is little doubt that phytoplankton is the most important source.
Phytoplankton production, as determined by C14 fixation, falls within
the range of 50-15Og of carbon per m2 in a year in the major ocean
basins ; however, some regions, notably the high arctic, are less productive than this and higher levels are attained in some coastal and
estuarine waters and probably in oceanic areas of intense upwelling.
Recent work suggests that present methods may underrate total
1