Estimating Denitrification Rates in the East/Japan Sea Using Extended Optimum Multi-Parameter Analysis

Abstract

Denitrification rates in the East/Japan Sea (EJS) were examined with extended Optimum Multi-Parameter (eOMP) analysis. The potential denitrification locations expected from the eOMP analysis occurred only in the Ulleung Basin (UB) and near the Tatar Strait (TtS) of the Eastern Japan Basin (EJB). Estimated denitrification rates were ~0.3 - 3 and ~4 - 11 μmolμmol N m-2 d-1 in the UB and in the EJB, respectively. These rates agree with previous published results. The _ rates were lower than reported for other marginal seas. However, considering the rapid EJS response to climate change, we predict that denitrification may be enhanced in the near future.

Keywords

• geophysics
• geology
• atmospheric science
• space science
• oceanic science
• hydrology