Water column and sediment processes in the Fly River delta and Gulf of Papua, Papua New Guinea

In July-August 1989 (from sites D1- D7) and February 1990 (from sites D1- D10 in the delta, and GP1-GP8 in the gulf) samples were taken to determine standing stocks of dissolved nutrients (ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, silicate), chlorophyll a, total suspended load, microparticulate organic carbon and nitrogen, bacteria and zooplankton. Of the 107 taxa, adult copepods were identified to species level while other taxa were grouped at higher taxonomic levels. Three replicate samples were taken of surface and bottom water where depth Fourteen of the sites from 1989 and 1990 (D1, D2, D4, D5, D7, D9, D10, GP1, GP3, GP4, GP5, GP6, GP7, GP8) were analysed for particulate copper in sediments, porewaters and bottom waters. Dissolved copper fluxes across the sediment-water interface were measured.In September-October 1991 and January 1993, surface waters of the Fly Delta and Gulf of Papua were sampled (D2, D3, D4, D6, D7, D9, D15, 1GP1, 1GP2, 1GP3, 1GP8, MGP1, MPG2, OGP1, OGP2, plus another 16 [numbered] stations in the Fly delta). CTD casts for salinity and temperature profiles were taken. Nutrient analyses were performed, chlorophyll a concentrations analysed and bacterial densities and production estimated. Primary production was estimated by 14C uptake. Total suspended solids, particulate carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and the C:N ratio were measured. Dissolved organic carbon, silicate, phosphate, ammonia and nitrate, and dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus were measured. To make initial estimates of the processing of particulate carbon and dissolved nutrients in the water column of the Fly delta and the nearshore Gulf of Papua.To determine what proportion of the particulate carbon entering the delta from the river and from the mangrove forests was metabolized prior to export into the Gulf of Papua.To determine what extent the river plume influences primary production in shallow shelf waters.To determine copper fluxes across the sediment-water interface. This research was a component of a larger project to determine the influence of freshwater and detrital export from the Fly River system on adjacent pelagic and benthic systems in the Gulf of Papua. Other metadata are available on other aspects of benthic processes and mangroves related to the Fly River delta and Gulf of Papua, and for the sites identified.Zooplankton taxa (identified species follow in brackets): Bivalve larvae; Brachyuran zoea; Chaetognaths; Copepodites; Echinoderm larvae; Gastropod larvae; Harpacticoida; Invertebrate eggs; Larvaceans; Nauplii; Polychaete larvae; Ostracods; Pteropoda; Sergestid larvae (Acartia baylyi, A. centrura, Acrocalanus gracilis, Amphioxus sp., Bestiola similis, Canthocalanus pauper, Centropoges sp., Corycaeus catus, Eucalanus subcrassus, Euterpina acutifrons, Lucifer larvae, Macrostellata gracilis, Microstellata rosea, Oithona aruensis, O. attenuata, O. australia, O. brevicornis, O. nana, O. plumifera, O. similis, O. simplex, Oncea media, Oncea venusta, Paracalanus parvus, Parvocalanus crassirostris, Pseudodiaptomis griggae, Temora turbinata).