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Sinking of particles was measured at a coastal site near La Coruña (north-western Spain) using sedimentation traps placed at the base of the euphotic zone during four short periods between March and June 1995. In addition, measurements of water column properties and particles were made at five stations. The cases studied were representative of the main oceanographic situations that occur in this area and were related to the wind-induced upwelling. Phytoplankton blooms (> 100 mg chlorophyll−a m−2) were observed on two occasions in April and June, both during favourable upwelling conditions. The two other cases were studied during low phytoplankton biomass concentrations in the water column.

, with population generation times between 2 and 25 d. Taking into account phytoplankton biomass and primary production values, our results suggest that pelagic bacteria are able to consume dissolved organic carbon in excess of the amount produced in situ by phytoplankton in the upper surface waters of this region.

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