Spatial distribution of Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) and Nitrogen (PON) in the Marian Cove and Maxwell Bay, 2021

As part of the "Carbon cycle change and ecosystem response under the Southern Ocean warming" research project, the production and fate of organic carbon and nitrogen from the Marian Cove and Maxwell Bay were investigated during summer (20-27 January) cruises in 2021. Spatial observations of suspended particulate organic carbon (POC) and nitrogen (PON) suggest that there was a large accumulation of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in Maxwell bay those of Marian Cove, due to relatively high phytoplankton productivity. Vertical distribution in the molar carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio of the suspended particulate organic matter (POM) pool reflect a change in the quality of the organic material and presumably being exported to the sediment. Considerable high particulate C:N ratios (>18) at surface water in inner Cove indicated transported from glarier and/or land-base organic matter into the Cove.