Marginal Seas

Abstract

Their moderately-sized surface areas notwithstanding, continental margins are essential components in the biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nutrients (Liu et al. 2000a) and, as such, have been of considerable interest to the JGOFS and LOICZ (Chen et al. 1994). This chapter is devoted entirely to address marginal seas, defined as semi-enclosed seas adjacent to a continent. It provides a detailed discussion of the C/N/P fluxes for the Baltic, Black, East (Sea of Japan), Mediterranean, North, and Okhotsk Seas, as well as the Mississippi River plume and the adjacent margin in the Gulf of Mexico.