Primary production of organic carbon in the Atlantic Ocean

Relatively high production (100-1000 mgC/m**2 per day) was noted in the Canary current area, with maximum values in the region located between Dakar and the Cape Verde Islands. Rather low production (up to 100 mgC/m**2) was noted in central sectors of the Gulf of Guinea and in middle regions of the southeastern anticyclonic gyre. The most heterogeneous production was noted in neritic areas of the southwestern African coast, where production varied from 43 to 17873 mgC/m**2 per day, whereby the most intensive photosynthesis was clearly confined to near-estuary areas of the Ogova (1588), Congo (695), Cuene (2771) and Orange (17873 mgC/m**2 per day) rivers. Diurnal rhythm of production exhibited sharp increase in production in series of samples taken during evening hours and similarly sharp decrease in production in samples taken at night or before dawn.