THE DISTRIBUTION OF AMMONIA IN THE WATERS OF THE GULF OF MAINE

Abstract

In the deeper basins of the Gulf of Maine in May ammonia occurred in minimal concns. at the surface and at all depths below 60 m.; maximal concns. varying up to 45 mg. N per cu. m. occurred in a definite stratum between 30 and 60 m. In Sept. the concn. of ammonia was rather uniform at all depths and increased as the distance from the open sea increased, concns. exceeding 50 mg. N per cu. m. occurring in the western basin. In the tideways of the N. and S. Channels, ammonia is distributed uniformly with depth in both May and Sept. In shallow waters its occurrence showed no regularity. The occurrence of ammonia may be correlated in part with the distribution of organic P compounds, of nitrite, and of zooplankton, so as to support the view that its distribution marks the place and the intensity of organic decomposition.