3.2. Nutrients and Chl a
3.2.1. Nutrient dynamics
During the cold season, both the coastal and central areas showed
high nutrient concentrations (average value for the euphotic zone) as
a result of the well-mixed structure in the water column (Table 2).
The concentrations of nitrate and phosphate during the March cruise
reached 6 μmol L−1 and 0.6 μmol L−1, respectively, whereas they
were less than 1 μmol L−1 and 0.1 μmol L−1 during August in the central
YS (Fig. 4). Additionally, the nutrient-rich water observed inMarchwas
consistentwith the occurrence of the YSWC (Figs. 3 and 4). Based on the
results of the 35°N transect, relative higher nutrient concentrations
were present in the central area rather than the coastal area (Fig. 4). Nutrient
distribution patterns in April were generally similar to that in
March, apart from reduction in phosphate concentration within the