Diapycnal nutrient fluxes on the northern boundary of Cape Ghir upwelling region

• Vertical shear and salt-fingering play an important role in mixing processes.
• The effective diapycnal flux was lower than previous North Atlantic estimates.
• There was a deficit of phosphate supply to surface waters.
• Eddy diffusion may contribute more than N2 fixation to new production.

In this study we estimate diffusive nutrient fluxes in the northern region of Cape Ghir upwelling system (Northwest Africa) during autumn 2010. The contribution of two co-existing vertical mixing processes (turbulence and salt fingers) is estimated through micro- and fine-structure scale observations. The boundary between coastal upwelling and open ocean waters becomes apparent when nitrate is used as a tracer. Below the mixed layer (56.15±15.56 m), the water column is favorable to the occurrence of a salt finger regime. Vertical eddy diffusivity for salt (Ks) at the reference layer (57.86±8.51 m, CI 95%) was 3×10−5 (±1.89×10−9, CI 95%) m2 s−1. Average diapycnal fluxes indicate that there was a deficit in phosphate supply to the surface layer (6.61×10−4 mmol m−2 d−1), while these fluxes were 0.09 and 0.03 mmol m−2 d−1 for nitrate and silicate, respectively. There is a need to conduct more studies to obtain accurate estimations of vertical eddy diffusivity and nutrient supply in complex transitional zones, like Cape Ghir. This will provide us with information about salt and nutrients exchange in onshore–offshore zones.