Primary Production and Decomposition Dynamics of Particulate Organic Matter in the Inner Part of Ariake Bay

Abstract

In order to obtain the background information about characteristics of particulate organic matter (POM) in the inner part of Ariake Bay, oxygen consumption rate of bottom water including POM and primary production rate were investigated. Additionally, relationships between biochemical composition of POM and oxygen consumption capacity, controlling factor of primary production were examined. In summary, it was suggested that contribution of oxygen consumption by POM, especially originated from the marine phytoplankton, plays an important role for the formation of hypoxia in the inner part of Ariake Bay. Primary production rate were varied widely among observation dates and it was suggested that nitrogen is limiting nutrient in this area during summer.