Nutrient mineralization patterns in shelf waters of the Western Iberian upwelling

A set of hydrographic data collected during several cruises to the NW Iberian upwelling system has been used to assess the patterns of nutrient mineralization over the shelf. Mineralized nutrient ratios (N/P and N/Si) in the lower water column are clearly below the ratios characteristic of freshly upwelled oceanic waters. Nitrogen mineralization, in comparison to phosphorus mineralization, is incomplete, in agreement with phosphateʹs faster regeneration rate and the low residence time of water, which precludes complete mineralization. Silicate shows the highest enrichment as a consequence of the selective concentration of particulate biogenic silica in the near bottom waters. Diffusion of nutrients mineralized in the sediments seems to represent an important contribution. The lowest mineralization of the surveyed area is found to the north of Cape Finisterre, especially with regard to silicate. To the South, the Rias Baixas (four large embayments) return as reducing particulate organic matter (POM) a small fraction of the upwelled nutrients imported from the shelf. However, the out-flowing freshwater contributes to stratification of coastal waters, which favours POM production, accumulation and sedimentation. In addition, high levels of new dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the outflow can also enhance primary production in shelf surface waters. Finally, highest mineralization was found to the south of the River Miٌo, where there are no embayments and the shelf is wider. Mineralization tends to: (1) increase the potential primary production of this ecosystem by up to 50%, (nitrogen limitation) or up to 80% (silicon limitation); (2) favour the development of phytoplankton assemblages dominated by diatoms (Si enrichment double that of N and P); and (3) buffer the large spatial and temporal differences introduced by the advected nutrients. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd