Methane and Carbon Monoxide Production, Oxidation, and Turnover Times in the Caribbean Sea as Influenced by the Orinoco River

Authors

Ronald D. Jones
José A. Amador, University of Rhode IslandFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

2-15-1993

Abstract

The surface distribution of CH₄, photoproduction capacity of seawater for CO, and CH₄ and CO microbial oxidation rates and turnover times were determined for the surface waters of the southeastern Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Paria as affected by the Orinoco River. Measurements were made during the spring (low fiver flow) and the fall (high fiver flow) in order to determine the influence of Orinoco River discharge on these parameters. Methane concentrations were generally lower in the fall than in the spring. Low CH₄ oxidation rates and similar surface distributions were observed during both seasons. Methane oxidation in the fiver plume was significantly higher in the fall. Potential CO photoproduction and CO oxidation rates were generally higher during the fall. Possible effects of the Orinoco River on potential CO photoproduction capacity were observed as far as Puerto Rico. Turnover times for CH₄ were in the order of years, whereas CO turnover times were in the order of hours. The Orinoco River has a significant impact on the consumption of CO and CH₄ and the photoproduction of CO in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, presumably resulting from inputs of five fine carbon and nutrients.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Jones, R. D., and J. A. Amador (1993), Methane and carbon monoxide production, oxidation, and turnover times in the Caribbean Sea as influenced by the Orinoco River, J. Geophys. Res., 98(C2), 2353–2359, doi:10.1029/92JC02769.

Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/92JC02769

Publisher Statement

An edited version of this paper was published by AGU. Copyfight 1993 by the American Geophysical Union.