Iron behavior and sources regulating primary production in marginal seas (Bering Sea, Okhotsk Sea, Japan Sea)

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Surface mixed layer of the basin region in the Bering Sea is under a typical iron-deficient and nutrient-rich condition with low primary production because of low atmospheric iron input. However, phytoplankton bloom (Breen Belt) is observed at the shelf break region of the Southeastern Bering Sea for a long period in summer. It is suggested that the Green Belt is maintained by the supply of nutrient-rich basin water and iron-rich shelf deep water to the surface water of the shelf break. The tidal mixing in the straits of the Kuril Islands is an important role on supplying nutrient and iron to the surface water of the northwestern North Pacific Ocean and maintaining the high primary production in the Oyashio region. On the contrary, the surface mixed layer in the Japan Sea is characterized by low nutrient and high iron concentrations, resulting from high atmospheric iron input to nutrient-depleted surface water of the Japan Sea close to the Asian continent.