Seasonal variation of nitrogen cycling in Manila Bay

Abstract

Seasonal variation in nitrogen cycling at the upper layer of the Pasig River estuary in Manila Bay was calculated during January 1996 to December 1998 by using the numerical ecosystem model. Chlorophyll a and DIN concentrations are relatively low, river discharge is small, and solar radiation is strong from March to May in dry season. The main reason of low chlorophyll a concentration is the solar radiation is too strong. On the other hand, as DIN concentration is relatively high and solar radiation is optimum, chlorophyll a concentration is relatively high from August to October in rainy season. Main source of DIN in rainy season is the vertical transport from the lower layer due to the strong estuarine circulation. The effect of loading nitrogen from the land area for the primary production in the estuary is relatively smaller than that of the vertical transport of nitrogen. It is effective to decrease the nitrogen concentration in the lower layer by sand covering of the sea bottom for prevention of red tides. Copyright © 2008 by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).