A physical-biochemical model of plankton productivity and nitrogen cycling in the Black Sea

A one-dimensional, vertically resolved, physical-biochemical upper ocean model is utilized to study plankton productivity and nitrogen cycling in the central Black Sea region characterized by cyclonic gyral circulation. The model is an extension of the one given by Oguz et al. (1996, J, Geophys. Res. 101, 16585-16599) with identical physical characteristics but incorporating a multi-component plankton structure in its biological module, Phytoplankton are represented by two groups, typifying diatoms and flagellates, Zooplankton are also separated into two groups: microzooplankton (nominally