Vertical Carbon Flux of Biogenic Matter in a Coastal Area of the Aegean Sea: The Importance of Appendicularians

摘要: This work focuses on the direct measurement of vertical flux appendicularian houses in order to assess their importance as a component carbon coastal areas. For this purpose, arrays cylindrical sediment traps were deployed for 5 8 days at two depths area northern Aegean Sea (inner Thermaikos Gulf) during spring. The data support contention that resuspension was minimal. Fecal pellet (FP) production and grazing experiments with dominant copepods (Acartia clausi) conducted provide additional information potential FP contribution total flux. magnitude particulate organic (POC) ranged between 310 724 mg C m−2 day−1. proportion phytoplankton POC up 45 %. zooplankton FPs never exceeded On contrary, an essential biogenic contributing 55.3 % Consequently, both contributed equally exceeding 80 sinking POC. Taking into account speed particles environment area, all probably reaches seafloor, thus indicating strong pelagic–benthic coupling.