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.

观测表明，加那利海流（Canary Current）海域的初级生产力相对较高，介于100~1000 mgC/m²·d之间，其中达喀尔与佛得角群岛之间的区域为该海域的高值区。几内亚湾中部海域以及东南反气旋环流的中部区域，初级生产力则相对偏低，最高值不超过100 mgC/m²·d。非洲西南海岸的大陆架浅海区初级生产力异质性最为显著，变化范围为43~17873 mgC/m²·d；其中奥果韦河（Ogova）、刚果河（Congo）、奎内河（Cuene）与奥兰治河（Orange）的近河口区域光合活性最强，对应生产力分别为1588、695、2771与17873 mgC/m²·d。初级生产力呈现明显的昼夜节律：傍晚时段采集的系列样品中生产力显著升高，而夜间或黎明前采集的样品中生产力则出现急剧下降。