@article{,

title = {An evaluation of physical and biogeochemical processes regulating perennial suboxic conditions in the water column of the Arabian Sea},

author = {Sarma, VVSS},

issn = {1944-9224},

year  = {2002},

date = {2002-01-01},

journal = {Global Biogeochemical Cycles},

volume = {16},

number = {220},

abstract = {Monthly oxygen budgets for the subsurface Arabian Sea (100–1000 m) are

constructed on the basis of Modular Ocean Model and recently collected oxygen data.

The model results are in agreement with the observed pattern. The model results revealed

that oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) in the Arabian Sea is regulated largely by physical

processes in association with biogeochemical cycling of oxygen. This results in perennial

suboxic conditions in the water column with no significant seasonal variability.

Maintenance of OMZ during nonmonsoon seasons, when oligotrophic conditions prevail

in surface layers, occurs through low supply of oxygen by physical pump aided by

continued oxygen consumption in the oxidation of organic matter produced during

monsoons. On the other hand, formation of anoxic conditions during monsoons, when

higher sinking fluxes of carbon occur, is prevented by higher flux of oxygen by the

physical pump. Hence, suboxic conditions in the Arabian Sea are maintained by physical

pump with moderation from monsoonal biological pump. The residence time of the

Arabian Sea intermediate waters (100–1000 m) was computed to be 6.5 years with rapid

replacement during monsoons. The oxygen consumption rates are also high during

monsoons compared with nonmonsoon seasons. The carbon regeneration rates computed

based on the water mass-mixing model, bacterial carbon demand, and electron transport

system activity in the subsurface layers are in agreement with oxygen consumption rates

estimated based on this model.},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, oceanography, suboxic},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}