IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page
The CO2 balance of unproductive aquatic ecosystems
Duarte, C.M.; Agusti, S. (1998). The CO2 balance of unproductive aquatic ecosystems. Science (Wash.) 281(5374): 234-236. https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.281.5374.234
In: Science (Washington). American Association for the Advancement of Science: New York, N.Y. ISSN 0036-8075; e-ISSN 1095-9203, more
Peer reviewed article  
Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Authors  Top 
  • Duarte, C.M., more
  • Agusti, S.
Abstract
    Community respiration (R) rates are scaled as the two-thirds power of the gross primary production (P) rates of aquatic ecosystems, indicating that the role of aquatic biota as carbon dioxide sources or sinks depends on its productivity. Unproductive aquatic ecosystems support a disproportionately higher respiration rate than that of productive aquatic ecosystems, tend to be heterotrophic (R>P), and act as carbon dioxide sources. The average P required for aquatic ecosystems to become autotrophic (P>R) is over an order of magnitude greater for marshes than for the open sea. Although four-fifths of the upper ocean is expected to be net heterotrophic, this carbon demand can be balanced by the excess production over the remaining one-fifth of the ocean.
All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors