Determinants of pelagic metabolism in the Timor Sea during the inter-monsoon period
A. D. McKinnon A B , J. H. Carleton A and S. Duggan A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville M.C., Qld 4810, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: d.mckinnon@aims.gov.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 62(2) 130-140 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF10170
Submitted: 22 June 2010 Accepted: 17 November 2010 Published: 24 February 2011
Abstract
The Timor Sea is a major conduit of the Indonesian Throughflow characterised by large internal waves and tides. To ascertain whether these result in high pelagic productivity, we conducted experiments to determine the metabolic balance between net community production (NCP) and community respiration (CR) on the Sahul Shelf, the Sahul Shoals and the Yampi Shelf, an area of active hydrocarbon seeps. The barrier to vertical mixing of subthermocline nutrients represented by the halocline allowed new production to dominate in March 2004, whereas production in June 2005 depended on recycled nutrients. CR was correlated with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in 2004, but with chlorophyll in 2005, suggesting that respiration was dominated by microheterotrophs in 2004 but by autotrophs in 2005. Overall, area-specific CR averaged 120 ± 92 (s.d.), 101 ± 52 and 61 ± 6 mmol O2 m–2 day–1, NCP averaged 109 ± 85 (s.d.), 32 ± 41 and 57 ± 10 mmol O2 m–2 day–1, and average gross primary production (= CR+NCP) : R ratios were 1.9, 1.4 and 1.9 on the shelf, at the Sahul Shoals and the Yampi Shelf, respectively. We suggest that differences in water column structure and internal wave activity drive intermittent high production events in a predominantly oligotrophic sea.
Additional keywords: pelagic metabolism, pelagic respiration, production, Timor Sea.
References
Barber, R. T. (2007). Picoplankton do some heavy lifting. Science 315, 777–778.| Picoplankton do some heavy lifting.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhvVChtbo%3D&md5=714ddb8fe2a40ebd8f964b1f818a5d86CAS | 17289968PubMed |
Bates, N. R., Pequignet, A. C., and Sabine, C. L. (2006). Ocean carbon cycling in the Indian Ocean: 2. Estimates of net community production. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 20, GB3021.
| Ocean carbon cycling in the Indian Ocean: 2. Estimates of net community production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bender, M., Orchardo, J., Dickson, M., Barber, R., and Lindley, S. (1999). In vitro O2 fluxes compared with 14C production and other rate terms during the JGOFS Equatorial Pacific experiment. Deep-sea Research. Part I, Oceanographic Research Papers 46, 637–654.
| In vitro O2 fluxes compared with 14C production and other rate terms during the JGOFS Equatorial Pacific experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burford, M. A., and Rothlisberg, P. C. (1999). Factors limiting phytoplankton production in a tropical continental shelf ecosystem. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 48, 541–549.
| Factors limiting phytoplankton production in a tropical continental shelf ecosystem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXktV2ksLg%3D&md5=a57ae28034a46c61957fd4e67650250bCAS |
Burford, M., Alongi, D. M., McKinnon, A. D., and Trott, L. A. (2008). Net ecosystem production and biogeochemical fluxes in a tropical estuary (Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 79, 440–448.
| Net ecosystem production and biogeochemical fluxes in a tropical estuary (Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burns, K. A., Brinkman, D. L., Brunskill, G. J., Logan, G. A., Volk, , et al. (2010). Fluxes and fate of petroleum hydrocarbons in the Timor Sea ecosystem wth special reference to active natural hydrocarbon seepage. Marine Chemistry 118, 140–155.
| Fluxes and fate of petroleum hydrocarbons in the Timor Sea ecosystem wth special reference to active natural hydrocarbon seepage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhvFektr4%3D&md5=7b9b69c2319c00c5af05acfd139a2940CAS |
Church, J. A., and Craig, P. D. (1998). Australia’s shelf seas: diversity and complexity. In ‘The Sea, Vol. 11, The Global Coastal Ocean’. (Eds A. R. Robinson and K. H. Brink.) pp. 933–964. (Wiley: New York.)
Condie, S. A., and Dunn, J. R. (2006). Seasonal characteristics of the surface mixed layer in the Australasian region: implications for primary production regimes and biogeography. Marine and Freshwater Research 57, 569–590.
| Seasonal characteristics of the surface mixed layer in the Australasian region: implications for primary production regimes and biogeography.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XovVeksr8%3D&md5=856bdd186422ba10dd52974dacc642f4CAS |
Cresswell, G., Frische, A., Peterson, J., and Quadfasel, D. (1993). Circulation in the Timor Sea. Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans 98, 14 379–14 389.
| Circulation in the Timor Sea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dickson, M.-L., Orchardo, J., Barber, R., Marra, J., McCarthy, J., et al. (2001). Production and respiration rates in the Arabian Sea during the 1995 Northeast and Southwest Monsoons. Deep-sea Research. Part II, Topical Studies in Oceanography 48, 1199–1230.
| Production and respiration rates in the Arabian Sea during the 1995 Northeast and Southwest Monsoons.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXivVensL0%3D&md5=2de92185edeff4ab0b52e037f8b7fb7cCAS |
Drew, E. A. (2001). Ocean nutrients to sediment banks via tidal jets and Halimeda meadows. In ‘Oceanographic Processes of Coral Reefs’. (Ed. E. Wolanski.) pp. 255–267. (CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL.)
Duarte, C. M., and Agusti, S. (1998). The CO2 balance of unproductive aquatic ecosystems. Science 281, 234–236.
| The CO2 balance of unproductive aquatic ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXksFKitLo%3D&md5=84e27b696077a7c84931331b554af0ebCAS | 9657712PubMed |
Duarte, C. M., and Regaudie-de-Gioux, A. (2009). Thresholds of gross primary production for the metabolic balance of marine planktonic communities. Limnology and Oceanography 54, 1015–1022.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhsVCrtrfO&md5=7fc4b300a7624f98afd02a2104523670CAS |
Duarte, C. M., and Regaudie-de-Gioux, A. (2010). Thresholds of gross primary production for the metabolic balance of marine planktonic communities. Limnology and Oceanography 55, 2723–2725.
| Thresholds of gross primary production for the metabolic balance of marine planktonic communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Field, C. B., Behrenfeld, M. J., Randerson, J. T., and Falkowski, P. (1998). Primary production of the biosphere: integrating terrestrial and oceanic components. Science 281, 237–240.
| Primary production of the biosphere: integrating terrestrial and oceanic components.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXksFKitb0%3D&md5=51196ded9a1cae87762badf507c7b242CAS | 9657713PubMed |
Furnas, M. J. (2007). Intra-seasonal and inter-annual variations in phytoplankton biomass, primary production and bacterial production at North West Cape, Western Australia: links to the 1997–1998 El Niño event. Continental Shelf Research 27, 958–980.
| Intra-seasonal and inter-annual variations in phytoplankton biomass, primary production and bacterial production at North West Cape, Western Australia: links to the 1997–1998 El Niño event.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Furnas, M. J., and Mitchell, A. W. (1996). Pelagic primary production in the Coral and Southern Solomon Seas. Marine and Freshwater Research 47, 695–706.
| Pelagic primary production in the Coral and Southern Solomon Seas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XmvF2jtLc%3D&md5=7738394fc766383bee78e2613d9c483eCAS |
Furnas, M. J., and Mitchell, A. W. (1999). Wintertime carbon and nitrogen fluxes on Australia’s Northwest shelf. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 49, 165–175.
| Wintertime carbon and nitrogen fluxes on Australia’s Northwest shelf.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXlslentLk%3D&md5=e3d36c8aa02f12ba7dfb55046068ee25CAS |
Gieskes, W. W. C., Kraay, G. W., Nontji, A., Setiapermana, D., and Sutomo, A. B. (1990). Monsoonal differences in primary production in the eastern Banda Sea (Indonesia). Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 25, 473–483.
| Monsoonal differences in primary production in the eastern Banda Sea (Indonesia).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hanson, C. E., and McKinnon, A. D. (2009). Pelagic ecology of the Ningaloo region, Western Australia: influence of the Leeuwin Current. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 92, 129–137.
Heyward, A., Pinceratto, E., and Smith, L. (Eds) (1997). ‘Big Bank Shoals of the Timor Sea: An Environmental Resource Atlas.’ (Australian Institute of Marine Science and BHP Petroleum: Melbourne.)
Holloway, P. E. (1994). Observations of internal tide propagation on the Australian North West Shelf. Journal of Physical Oceanography 24, 1706–1716.
| Observations of internal tide propagation on the Australian North West Shelf.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Karl, D. M. (1999). A sea of change: biogeochemical variability in the North Pacific subtropical gyre. Ecosystems (New York, N.Y.) 2, 181–214.
| A sea of change: biogeochemical variability in the North Pacific subtropical gyre.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXmtlyjtb0%3D&md5=59af853bfdc213ef53b3a0e72913a714CAS |
Katsumata, K., Wijffels, S. E., Steinberg, C. R., and Brinkman, R. (2010). Variability of the semidiurnal internal tides observed on the Timor Shelf. Journal of Geophysical Research 115, C10008.
| Variability of the semidiurnal internal tides observed on the Timor Shelf.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kinkade, C., Marra, J., Langdon, C., Knudson, C., and Ilahude, A. G. (1997). Monsoonal differences in phytoplankton biomass and production in the Indonesian Seas: tracing vertical mixing using temperature. Deep-Sea Research. Part I, Oceanographic Research Papers 44, 581–592.
| Monsoonal differences in phytoplankton biomass and production in the Indonesian Seas: tracing vertical mixing using temperature.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Longhurst, A. (2007). ‘Ecological Geography of the Sea.’ (Academic Press: San Diego, CA.)
Lukas, R., and Lindstrom, E. (1991). The mixed layer of the western equatorial Pacific Ocean. Journal of Geophysical Research 96, 3343–3358.
Mackey, D. J., Parslow, J., Higgins, H. W., Griffiths, F. B., and O’Sullivan, J. E. (1995). Plankton productivity and biomass in the western equatorial Pacific: biological and physical controls. Deep-Sea Research. Part II, Topical Studies in Oceanography 42, 499–533.
| Plankton productivity and biomass in the western equatorial Pacific: biological and physical controls.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXosFCisrw%3D&md5=4abae39eb74f7580e1e901064aac05caCAS |
McKinnon, A. D., Carleton, J. H., and Duggan, S. (2007). Pelagic production and respiration in the Gulf of Papua during May 2004. Continental Shelf Research 27, 1643–1655.
| Pelagic production and respiration in the Gulf of Papua during May 2004.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Miller, J. C., and Miller, J. N. (1988). ‘Statistics for Analytical Chemistry.’ 2nd edn. (Ellis Horward Limited: New York.)
Montoya, J. P., Holl, C. M., Zehr, J. P., Hansen, A., Villareal, T., et al. (2004). High rates of N2 fixation by unicellular diazotrophs in the oligotrophic Pacific Ocean. Nature 430, 1027–1032.
| High rates of N2 fixation by unicellular diazotrophs in the oligotrophic Pacific Ocean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXmvFCisLc%3D&md5=b4a63d9c61e3e8de98e6e82b5e38cf28CAS | 15329721PubMed |
Müller, A., and Opdyke, B. N. (2000). Glacial-interglacial changes in nutrient utilization and paleoproductivity in the Indonesian Throughflow sensitive Timor Trough, easternmost Indian Ocean. Paleoceanography 15, 85–94.
| Glacial-interglacial changes in nutrient utilization and paleoproductivity in the Indonesian Throughflow sensitive Timor Trough, easternmost Indian Ocean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
O’Brien, G. W., Glenn, K., Lawrence, G., Williams, A. K., Webster, M., et al. (2002). Influence of hydrocarbon migration and seepage on benthic communities in the Timor Sea, Australia. APPEA Journal 42, 225–240.
Parsons, T. R., Maita, Y., and Lalli, C. M. (1984). ‘A Manual of Chemical and Biological Methods for Seawater Analysis.’ (Pergamon Press: Oxford.)
Perez, V., Fernandez, E., Maranon, E., Serret, P., Varela, R., et al. (2005). Latitudinal distribution of microbial plankton abundance, production, and respiration in the Equatorial Atlantic in Autumn 2000. Deep-Sea Research. Part I, Oceanographic Research Papers 52, 861–880.
| Latitudinal distribution of microbial plankton abundance, production, and respiration in the Equatorial Atlantic in Autumn 2000.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXivV2ksrw%3D&md5=427d16edb19bd810774745535c675571CAS |
Pinceratto, E. (1997). Physical environment. In ‘Big Bank Shoals of the Timor Sea: An Environmental Resource Atlas’. (Eds A. Heyward, E. Pinceratto and L. Smith.) pp. 7–13. (Australian Institute of Marine Science and BHP Petroleum: Melbourne.)
Robinson, C., and Williams, P. J. le B. (1999). Plankton net community production and dark respiration in the Arabian Sea during September 1994. Deep-Sea Research II 46, 745–766.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXjtVaitbo%3D&md5=1ab33e993ec5ba0bbb087159ca3aa52fCAS |
Robinson, C., and Williams, P. J. le B. (2005). Respiration and its measurement in surface marine waters. In ‘Respiration in Aquatic Systems’. (Eds P. del Giorgio and P. J. le B. Williams.) pp. 147–180. (Oxford University Press: Oxford.)
Robinson, C., Serret, P., Tilstone, G., Teira, E., Zubkov, M. V., et al. (2002). Plankton respiration in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. Deep-Sea Research. Part I, Oceanographic Research Papers 49, 787–813.
| Plankton respiration in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XjtVehsb8%3D&md5=fc1199cbbf62d3ca56b23e9d5ed2f851CAS |
Rollet, N., Logan, G. A., Kennard, J. M., O’Brien, P. E., Jones, A. T., et al. (2006). Characterisation and correlation of active hydrocarbon seepage using geophysical data sets: an example from the tropical, carbonate Yampi Shelf, Northwest Australia. Marine and Petroleum Geology 23, 145–164.
| Characterisation and correlation of active hydrocarbon seepage using geophysical data sets: an example from the tropical, carbonate Yampi Shelf, Northwest Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ryle, V. D., and Wellington, J. T. (1982). Reduction column for automated determination of nitrates. Analytical note No. 19. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville.
Ryle, V. D., Mueller, H. R., and Gentian, P. (1981). Automated analysis of nutrients in tropical seawater. Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Oceanography Series OS-81-4. AIMS, Townsville.
Serret, P., Robinson, C., Fernández, E., Teira, E., and Tilstone, G. (2001). Latitudinal variation of the balance between plankton photosynthesis and respiration in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Limnology and Oceanography 46, 1642–1652.
| Latitudinal variation of the balance between plankton photosynthesis and respiration in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXovVGnsbk%3D&md5=f452a3a3ccf4549bc2be5953b5cf2926CAS |
Serret, P., Fernandez, E., Robinson, C., Woodward, E. M. S., and Perez, V. (2006). Local production does not control the balance between plankton photosynthesis and respiration in the open Atlantic Ocean. Deep-Sea Research. Part I, Oceanographic Research Papers 53, 1611–1628.
Sokal, R. R., and Rohlf, F. J. (1995). ‘Biometry: the Principles and Practice of Statistics in Biological Research.’ (W.H. Freeman: San Francisco, CA.)
Sprintall, J., Wijffels, S. E., Molcard, R., and Jaya, I. (2009). Direct estimates of the Indonesian Throughflow entering the Indian Ocean: 2004–2006. Journal of Geophysical Research 114, C07001.
| Direct estimates of the Indonesian Throughflow entering the Indian Ocean: 2004–2006.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sugimura, Y., and Suzuki, Y. (1988). A high temperature catalytic oxidation method for non-volatile dissolved organic carbon in seawater by direct injection of a liquid sample. Marine Chemistry 24, 105–131.
| A high temperature catalytic oxidation method for non-volatile dissolved organic carbon in seawater by direct injection of a liquid sample.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXksVehsbc%3D&md5=130d8f0ef9345e2bdd95334f6749dc8dCAS |
Tijssen, S. B., Mulder, M., and Wetsteyn, F. J. (1990). Production and consumption rates of oxygen, and vertical oxygen structure in the upper 300m m in the eastern Banda Sea during and after the upwelling season, August 1984 and February/March 1985. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 25, 485–499.
| Production and consumption rates of oxygen, and vertical oxygen structure in the upper 300m m in the eastern Banda Sea during and after the upwelling season, August 1984 and February/March 1985.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wijffels, S. E., Meyers, G., and Godfrey, J. S. (2008). A 20-yr average of the Indonesian throughflow: regional currents and the interbasin exchange. Journal of Physical Oceanography 38, 1965–1978.
| A 20-yr average of the Indonesian throughflow: regional currents and the interbasin exchange.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Williams, P. J. le B. (1998). The balance of plankton respiration and photosynthesis in the open oceans. Nature 394, 55–57.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXksVOhu7c%3D&md5=dfa8c522b9c3408dd37afa48d85524acCAS |
Williams, P. J. le B., and Purdie, D. A. (1991). In vitro and in situ derived rates of gross production, net community production and respiration of oxygen in the oligotrophic subtropical gyre of the North Pacific Ocean. Deep-Sea Research. Part I, Oceanographic Research Papers 38, 891–910.
| In vitro and in situ derived rates of gross production, net community production and respiration of oxygen in the oligotrophic subtropical gyre of the North Pacific Ocean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK38XhtVygug%3D%3D&md5=e7698147e0f326da04971ff078a02c86CAS |
Williams, P. J. le B., Heinemann, K. R., Marra, J., and Purdie, D. A. (1983). Comparison of 14C and O2 measurements of phytoplankton production in oligotrophic waters. Nature 305, 49–50.
| Comparison of 14C and O2 measurements of phytoplankton production in oligotrophic waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL3sXlsVGltbc%3D&md5=08584b08c634e85c97ef01903605d400CAS |
Williams, P. J. le B., Morris, P. J., and Karl, D. M. (2004). Net community production and metabolic balance at the oligotrophic ocean site, station ALOHA. Deep-Sea Research. Part I, Oceanographic Research Papers 51, 1563–1578.
