The impact of atmospheric deposition on phytoplankton community in the Ulleung Basin, East Sea: A modeling study

Abstract

We investigated the impact of atmospheric deposition on the phytoplankton community in the Ulleung Basin for the years 2001-2012 using a zero-dimensional European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model (ERSEM). The model result shows that the atmospheric deposition can affect the primary production strongly during warm seasons. The model also indicates a positive linear relationship between atmospheric deposition and primary production. The percentage increase of primary production was comparable to the results from the studies conducted in other regions. Furthermore, the model result shows that the phytoplankton community responded differently to the atmospheric deposition by their resource utilization ability. The percentage increase of picophytoplankton was the highest among the phytoplankton groups. These results suggest that if the atmospheric deposition continues to increase at the present speed, its influence on the Ulleung Basin ecosystem will increase in the future.Wediscusspossibleconsequencesofanthropogenicloadingofinorganicnitrogen.heric deposition can affect the primary production strongly during warm seasons. The model also indicates a positive linear relationship between atmospheric deposition and primary production. The percentage increase of primary production was comparable to the results from the studies conducted in other regions. Furthermore, the model result shows that the phytoplankton community responded differently to the atmospheric deposition by their resource utilization ability. The percentage increase of picophytoplankton was the highest among the phytoplankton groups. These results suggest that if the atmospheric deposition continues to increase at the present speed, its influence on the Ulleung Basin ecosystem will increase in the future.Wediscusspossibleconsequencesofanthropogenicloadingofinorganicnitrogen.