Variable relationships of DOC with oxygen in the northwestern Indian Ocean and their ecological implications

Abstract

The relationships between DOC and AOU in the northwestern Indian Ocean regional variations reflecting the different biological characteristics dominanting the respective zones, resulting in the variable percentages of DOM respiration through nitrate remineralisation and oxygen consumption. Carbon oxidation by denitrification is very significant in the northern Arabian Sea whereas chemolithotrophic nitrification might contribute to some extent for carbon accumulation in the south. The northern Arabian Sea characterizEd. by the reducing environment, is found to outflux CO sub(2) much faster than the other regions. Considering the latitudinally variable relationships of DOC with oxidants, its different transport pathyways in the water column are discussed