Abstract
This study determines the bulk surface water (BSW) dissolved inorganic nutrients of nitrogen (DINi) and phosphate (DIP) during the upwelling season off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, South China Sea. BSW samples were analysed for DINi and DIP by using a standard automated colorimetric method. BSW DINi and DIP concentrations varied between 0.11 and 2.55 μM (mean 1.12 ± 0.63 μM), and below detection limit, and 0.29 μM (mean 0.11 ± 0.08 μM), respectively. The spatial distribution of higher concentrations between DINi and DIP was distinct. However, the highest concentrations of DINi and DIP were mostly recorded in the month of peak upwelling (July and August), where colder BSW temperatures were also encountered during field sampling. This study provides new evidence on the presence of BSW nutrients of DINi and DIP during upwelling season peak in July and August before their decline in September.
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Acknowledgements
This study was funded by the Malaysian Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC), E-Science Fund 04-01-02-SF1259 Research Grant. It was also co-supported by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) through the Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) Research Grant (Vote No. 66928). We also would like to thank Dr. Nor Diana Abdul Halim for her significant assistance with the graphical presentation.
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Uning, R., Suratman, S., Nasir, F.A.M. et al. Spatial and Temporal Variations in Nutrients During Upwelling Season Off the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 108, 145–150 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03334-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03334-0