Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
2015, Vol 15, Num, 1 (Pages: 59-71)
Solubility of Atmospheric Nutrients over the Eastern Mediterranean: Comparison between Pure-Water and Sea-Water, Implications Regarding Marine Production
Mustafa Kocak 1
1 Institute of Marine Sciences, Middle East Technical University, P.O. Box 28, 33731, Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey
DOI :
10.4194/1303-2712-v15_1_07
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Aerosol filter samples were selected from sample library of Erdemli site; located on the coastline of the Eastern
Mediterranean, in order to carry out solubility experiments. The nutrient (PO4
3-, Sidiss, NO3
- and NH4
+) solubilities were
investigated by using pure-water and sea-water. The arithmetic means of phosphate and dissolved silica indicated distinct
difference (larger than 50 %) between pure-water and sea-water whereas; the calculated mean concentrations of nitrate and
ammonium did not reveal substantial discrepancy for pure-water and sea-water extractions. The difference for phosphate and
silicate might be attributed to pH and ionic strength of sea water, size distribution and association of phosphate/silicate
particles with less soluble compounds such as calcium phosphate, kaolinite, opal, quartz and origin of the aerosol species. The
difference between pure-water and sea-water extractions for nitrate and ammonium was estimated to be small, corresponding
to 1 % to -3 %. This similarity can be ascribed to highly soluble chemical forms such as NH4NO3, Ca(NO3)2, NaNO3
(NH4)2SO4 and NH4HSO4. Calculations revealed that atmospheric P flux would sustain 0.4 % and 0.9 % of the primary
production reported for coastal and offshore waters of Cilician Basin. Whereas, atmospheric nitrogen contribution on primary
production would be as high as 3.7 % and 8.4 % in coastal and offshore waters, correspondingly. The impact of atmospheric
input on the marine productivity became more important particularly during the stratified periods such as summer and
autumn. During these period, atmospheric P input might sustain 80 % of the new production whereas, atmospheric N input
might support 8 times higher new product than that detected for surface waters.
Keywords :
Solubility, atmospheric nutrient input, marine production, Cilician Basin, Eastern Mediterranean