Spatial and temporal variation of particulate organic carbon in the PN section of East China Sea

Variations of the particulate organic carbon and nitrogen (POC/PN) along the PN section in the East China Sea (ECS) were examined based on POC/PN data obtained in September 2002. A comparison with others work indicates that POC is the highest in summer, followed by autumn and spring, and the lowest in winter. Generally, POC concentration decreases seawards, and the in situ productivity in September plays an important role in POC distribution. POC in the PN section is composed of terrestrial, resuspended, in situ produced carbon and carbon originated from the Kuroshio waters. The Changjiang River effects the ECS in the PN section, but the influence is mainly minimiged beyond 123.5° E because of barrier effect. The impact of Kuroshio subsurface water (KSSW) over shelf break can also effect POC distribution, with high POC concentration there.