Relation Between Production and Mineralization of Organic Matter in Aburatsubo Inlet, Japan

Abstract

Studies carried out in Aburatsubo Inlet (35°09′N, 139°37′E) showed that generally during the spring the dark assimilation of carbon dioxide was a large fraction of the total carbon dioxide assimilated. During the rest of the year photosynthesis accounted for most of the production of the water column, but dark assimilation was sometimes appreciable in the sediments. Production generally exceeded mineralization, indicating a net gain of organic matter either in the sediments or in adjoining water masses.