Comparison of Diffusive and Total Nutrient Fluxes from the Sediment of Mersin Bay, Northeastern Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

In this study, sediment diffusive and total nutrient fluxes were calculated for the Mersin Bay, Northeastern (NE) Mediterranean Sea. Positive fluxes of nutrients from the sediments indicated that sediment acts as a source for phosphate, nitrate, ammonium and reactive silicate in the NE Mediterranean Sea. Total nutrient fluxes from sediments were calculated as 9.1 mmol m–2 year–1 for phosphate, 278 mmol m–2 year–1 for nitrate, 32.5 mmol m–2 year–1 for ammonium and 315 mmol m–2 year–1 for reactive silicate, respectively. These nutrient fluxes from the sediment would further support primary production in the NE Mediterranean Sea displaying oligotrophic conditions in the offshore waters.