Vertical distributions of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in the Southern Ocean

Detailed vertical profiles of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrogen (DON) and DOC/DON ratios in the Australian sector of the Southern Ocean (56°–65°S around 140°W transect) were obtained by a high-temperature catalytic oxidation method with a modified Shimadzu TOC-5000 unit. The simultaneous analyses of DOC and total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) gave high precision results (±0.7 μMC and ±0.3 μMN). In surface layers, DOC concentrations were lower (45–55 μM) than those generally obtained from other oceanic environments (60–90 μM). The surface concentrations of DON varied from 4 to 9 μM, but within the range generally reported for other ocean regions. Surface excesses of DOC and DON were calculated against nearly constant subsurface concentrations. A consistent contribution of low C/N ratio (2.7–5.0) was found in the mid-surface layer (30–75 m), suggesting more extensive degradation of carbon-enriched materials and/or enhanced supply of nitrogen-enriched ones.