Annual variations in primary production of the Sargasso sea off Bermuda

Abstract

Net and gross primary production, measure at two-week intervals over a period of three years, show annual variations during the winter period (November–April) which are directly related to the degree of mixing of the surface water and may be directly attributed to the severity of the winter as revealed by air temperature and wind strength. Seasonal and year-to-year changes were observed in the ratio net : gross production, as indicated by changes in the relationship between C¹⁴ assimilation and chlorophyll.