Anomalous nutrient-chlorophyll interrelationships in the offshore eastern tropical Pacific Ocean

Authors

William H. Thomas, Institute of Marine Resources, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093, U.S.A.

Abstract

In the nutrient-rich offshore areas of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, chlorophyll levels were 4-10 times lower than might be expected if all the inorganic nitrogen had been assimilated. Three hypotheses are examined to explain this anomaly: 1) nitrate may be upwelled faster than it is assimilated; 2) the algae may be grazed to lower levels by herbivores; and 3) minor nutrients other than nitrate, phosphate, or silicic acid may be limiting....

Recommended Citation

Thomas, William H.. 1979. "Anomalous nutrient-chlorophyll interrelationships in the offshore eastern tropical Pacific Ocean." Journal of Marine Research 37, (2). https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/journal_of_marine_research/1471