Articles | Volume 12, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-739-2015
© Author(s) 2015. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-739-2015
© Author(s) 2015. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
06 Feb 2015
Research article |
| 06 Feb 2015
Sourcing the iron in the naturally fertilised bloom around the Kerguelen Plateau: particulate trace metal dynamics
P. van der Merwe
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC, University of Tasmania, TAS 7004, Australia
A. R. Bowie
Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC, University of Tasmania, TAS 7004, Australia
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Battery Point, TAS 7004, Australia
F. Quéroué
Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC, University of Tasmania, TAS 7004, Australia
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Battery Point, TAS 7004, Australia
Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Université de Bretagne Occidentale, CNRS,IRD, UMR6539, IUEM, Technopole Brest Iroise, Place Nicolas Copernic, 29280 Plouzané, France
L. Armand
Department of Biological Sciences and Climate Futures, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
S. Blain
Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR7621, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne, Observatoire Océanologique, 66650 Banyuls/mer, France
CNRS, UMR7621, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne, Observatoire Océanologique, 66650 Banyuls/mer, France
F. Chever
Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Université de Bretagne Occidentale, CNRS,IRD, UMR6539, IUEM, Technopole Brest Iroise, Place Nicolas Copernic, 29280 Plouzané, France
IFREMER/Centre de Brest, Département REM/EEP/Laboratoire Environnement Profond, CS 10070, 29280 Plouzané, France
D. Davies
Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC, University of Tasmania, TAS 7004, Australia
F. Dehairs
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry & Earth System Sciences research group, Brussels, Belgium
F. Planchon
Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Université de Bretagne Occidentale, CNRS,IRD, UMR6539, IUEM, Technopole Brest Iroise, Place Nicolas Copernic, 29280 Plouzané, France
G. Sarthou
CNRS, Université de Brest, IRD, Ifremer, UMR6539 LEMAR, IUEM ; Technopôle Brest Iroise, Place Nicolas Copernic, 29280 Plouzané, France
A. T. Townsend
Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS 7005, Australia
T. W. Trull
Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC, University of Tasmania, TAS 7004, Australia
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Oceans and Climate Flagship, GPO Box 1538, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3274, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3274, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (AMT).
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This work, initiated by the SCOR (Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research) Working Group 167, has examined eight leaching protocols commonly used in the literature, is the first large-scale international laboratory comparison for aerosol trace element leaching protocols.
Alex Nalivaev, Francesco d'Ovidio, Laurent Bopp, Maristella Berta, Louise Rousselet, Clara Azarian, and Stéphane Blain
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2145, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2145, 2025
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The Kerguelen region hosts a phytoplankton bloom influenced by several iron sources. In particular, glaciers supply iron to the coastal waters. However, the importance of glacial iron for the bloom is not known. Here we calculate iron transport pathways from glaciers to the open ocean using in situ and satellite data, showing that one third of the offshore bloom is reached by glacial iron. These results are important in the context of the melting of the Kerguelen ice cap under climate change.
Claudia Hird, Morgane M. G. Perron, Thomas M. Holmes, Scott Meyerink, Christopher Nielsen, Ashley T. Townsend, Patrice de Caritat, Michal Strzelec, and Andrew R. Bowie
Aerosol Research, 2, 315–327, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-315-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-315-2024, 2024
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Dust deposition flux was investigated in lutruwita / Tasmania, Australia, between 2016–2021. Results show that the use of direct measurements of aluminium, iron, thorium, and titanium in aerosols to estimate average dust deposition fluxes limits biases associated with using single elements. Observations of dust deposition fluxes in the Southern Hemisphere are critical to validate model outputs and better understand the seasonal and interannual impacts of dust deposition on biogeochemical cycles.
Jiaying A. Guo, Robert F. Strzepek, Kerrie M. Swadling, Ashley T. Townsend, and Lennart T. Bach
Biogeosciences, 21, 2335–2354, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2335-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2335-2024, 2024
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Ocean alkalinity enhancement aims to increase atmospheric CO2 sequestration by adding alkaline materials to the ocean. We assessed the environmental effects of olivine and steel slag powder on coastal plankton. Overall, slag is more efficient than olivine in releasing total alkalinity and, thus, in its ability to sequester CO2. Slag also had less environmental effect on the enclosed plankton communities when considering its higher CO2 removal potential based on this 3-week experiment.
Natasha René van Horsten, Hélène Planquette, Géraldine Sarthou, Thomas James Ryan-Keogh, Nolwenn Lemaitre, Thato Nicholas Mtshali, Alakendra Roychoudhury, and Eva Bucciarelli
Biogeosciences, 19, 3209–3224, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3209-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3209-2022, 2022
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The remineralisation proxy, barite, was measured along 30°E in the southern Indian Ocean during early austral winter. To our knowledge this is the first reported Southern Ocean winter study. Concentrations throughout the water column were comparable to observations during spring to autumn. By linking satellite primary production to this proxy a possible annual timescale is proposed. These findings also suggest possible carbon remineralisation from satellite data on a basin scale.
Manon Tonnard, Hélène Planquette, Andrew R. Bowie, Pier van der Merwe, Morgane Gallinari, Floriane Desprez de Gésincourt, Yoan Germain, Arthur Gourain, Marion Benetti, Gilles Reverdin, Paul Tréguer, Julia Boutorh, Marie Cheize, François Lacan, Jan-Lukas Menzel Barraqueta, Leonardo Pereira-Contreira, Rachel Shelley, Pascale Lherminier, and Géraldine Sarthou
Biogeosciences, 17, 917–943, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-917-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-917-2020, 2020
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We investigated the spatial distribution of dissolved Fe during spring 2014, in order to understand the processes influencing the biogeochemical cycle in the North Atlantic. Our results highlighted elevated Fe close to riverine inputs at the Iberian Margin and glacial inputs at the Newfoundland and Greenland margins. Atmospheric deposition appeared to be a minor source of Fe. Convection was an important source of Fe in the Irminger Sea, which was depleted in Fe relative to nitrate.
Andrés S. Rigual Hernández, Thomas W. Trull, Scott D. Nodder, José A. Flores, Helen Bostock, Fátima Abrantes, Ruth S. Eriksen, Francisco J. Sierro, Diana M. Davies, Anne-Marie Ballegeer, Miguel A. Fuertes, and Lisa C. Northcote
Biogeosciences, 17, 245–263, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-245-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-245-2020, 2020
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Coccolithophores account for a major fraction of the carbonate produced in the world's oceans. However, their contribution in the subantarctic Southern Ocean remains undocumented. We quantitatively partition calcium carbonate fluxes amongst coccolithophore species in the Australian–New Zealand sector of the Southern Ocean. We provide new insights into the importance of species other than Emiliania huxleyi in the carbon cycle and assess their possible response to projected environmental change.
Arthur Gourain, Hélène Planquette, Marie Cheize, Nolwenn Lemaitre, Jan-Lukas Menzel Barraqueta, Rachel Shelley, Pascale Lherminier, and Géraldine Sarthou
Biogeosciences, 16, 1563–1582, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1563-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1563-2019, 2019
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The GEOVIDE cruise (May–June 2014, R/V Pourquoi Pas?) aimed to provide a better understanding of trace metal biogeochemical cycles in the North Atlantic. As particles play a key role in the global biogeochemical cycle of trace elements in the ocean, we discuss the distribution of particulate iron (PFe). Lithogenic sources appear to dominate the PFe cycle through margin and benthic inputs.
Jan-Lukas Menzel Barraqueta, Jessica K. Klar, Martha Gledhill, Christian Schlosser, Rachel Shelley, Hélène F. Planquette, Bernhard Wenzel, Geraldine Sarthou, and Eric P. Achterberg
Biogeosciences, 16, 1525–1542, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1525-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1525-2019, 2019
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We used surface water dissolved aluminium concentrations collected in four different GEOTRACES cruises to determine atmospheric deposition fluxes to the ocean. We calculate atmospheric deposition fluxes for largely under-sampled regions of the Atlantic Ocean and thus provide new constraints for models of atmospheric deposition. The use of the MADCOW model is of major importance as dissolved aluminium is analysed within the GEOTRACES project at high spatial resolution.
Debany Fonseca-Batista, Xuefeng Li, Virginie Riou, Valérie Michotey, Florian Deman, François Fripiat, Sophie Guasco, Natacha Brion, Nolwenn Lemaitre, Manon Tonnard, Morgane Gallinari, Hélène Planquette, Frédéric Planchon, Géraldine Sarthou, Marc Elskens, Julie LaRoche, Lei Chou, and Frank Dehairs
Biogeosciences, 16, 999–1017, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-999-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-999-2019, 2019
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Dinitrogen fixation and primary production were investigated using stable isotope incubation experiments along two transects off the Western Iberian Margin in May 2014 close to the end of the phytoplankton spring bloom. We observed substantial N2 fixation activities (up to 1533 µmol N m-2 d-1) associated with a predominance of unicellular cyanobacteria and non-cyanobacterial diazotrophs, which seemed to be promoted by the presence of bloom-derived organic matter and excess phosphorus.
Géraldine Sarthou, Pascale Lherminier, Eric P. Achterberg, Fernando Alonso-Pérez, Eva Bucciarelli, Julia Boutorh, Vincent Bouvier, Edward A. Boyle, Pierre Branellec, Lidia I. Carracedo, Nuria Casacuberta, Maxi Castrillejo, Marie Cheize, Leonardo Contreira Pereira, Daniel Cossa, Nathalie Daniault, Emmanuel De Saint-Léger, Frank Dehairs, Feifei Deng, Floriane Desprez de Gésincourt, Jérémy Devesa, Lorna Foliot, Debany Fonseca-Batista, Morgane Gallinari, Maribel I. García-Ibáñez, Arthur Gourain, Emilie Grossteffan, Michel Hamon, Lars Eric Heimbürger, Gideon M. Henderson, Catherine Jeandel, Catherine Kermabon, François Lacan, Philippe Le Bot, Manon Le Goff, Emilie Le Roy, Alison Lefèbvre, Stéphane Leizour, Nolwenn Lemaitre, Pere Masqué, Olivier Ménage, Jan-Lukas Menzel Barraqueta, Herlé Mercier, Fabien Perault, Fiz F. Pérez, Hélène F. Planquette, Frédéric Planchon, Arnout Roukaerts, Virginie Sanial, Raphaëlle Sauzède, Catherine Schmechtig, Rachel U. Shelley, Gillian Stewart, Jill N. Sutton, Yi Tang, Nadine Tisnérat-Laborde, Manon Tonnard, Paul Tréguer, Pieter van Beek, Cheryl M. Zurbrick, and Patricia Zunino
Biogeosciences, 15, 7097–7109, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-7097-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-7097-2018, 2018
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The GEOVIDE cruise (GEOTRACES Section GA01) was conducted in the North Atlantic Ocean and Labrador Sea in May–June 2014. In this special issue, results from GEOVIDE, including physical oceanography and trace element and isotope cyclings, are presented among 17 articles. Here, the scientific context, project objectives, and scientific strategy of GEOVIDE are provided, along with an overview of the main results from the articles published in the special issue.
Stelios Myriokefalitakis, Akinori Ito, Maria Kanakidou, Athanasios Nenes, Maarten C. Krol, Natalie M. Mahowald, Rachel A. Scanza, Douglas S. Hamilton, Matthew S. Johnson, Nicholas Meskhidze, Jasper F. Kok, Cecile Guieu, Alex R. Baker, Timothy D. Jickells, Manmohan M. Sarin, Srinivas Bikkina, Rachel Shelley, Andrew Bowie, Morgane M. G. Perron, and Robert A. Duce
Biogeosciences, 15, 6659–6684, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-6659-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-6659-2018, 2018
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The first atmospheric iron (Fe) deposition model intercomparison is presented in this study, as a result of the deliberations of the United Nations Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP; http://www.gesamp.org/) Working Group 38. We conclude that model diversity over remote oceans reflects uncertainty in the Fe content parameterizations of dust aerosols, combustion aerosol emissions and the size distribution of transported aerosol Fe.
Nolwenn Lemaitre, Frédéric Planchon, Hélène Planquette, Frank Dehairs, Debany Fonseca-Batista, Arnout Roukaerts, Florian Deman, Yi Tang, Clarisse Mariez, and Géraldine Sarthou
Biogeosciences, 15, 6417–6437, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-6417-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-6417-2018, 2018
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We investigated the surface particulate organic carbon export fluxes in the North Atlantic with the objective of better understanding the biological carbon pump. Our results highlighted that exports depended on the intensity and stage of the bloom, the phytoplankton size and community structures. After comparing with primary production, we concluded that, during our study, the North Atlantic behaves like most of the highly productive areas in the world's ocean, with a low export efficiency.
Maxi Castrillejo, Núria Casacuberta, Marcus Christl, Christof Vockenhuber, Hans-Arno Synal, Maribel I. García-Ibáñez, Pascale Lherminier, Géraldine Sarthou, Jordi Garcia-Orellana, and Pere Masqué
Biogeosciences, 15, 5545–5564, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-5545-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-5545-2018, 2018
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The investigation of water mass transport pathways and timescales is important to understand the global ocean circulation. Following earlier studies, we use artificial radionuclides introduced to the oceans in the 1950s to investigate the water transport in the subpolar North Atlantic (SPNA). For the first time, we combine measurements of the long-lived iodine-129 and uranium-236 to confirm earlier findings/hypotheses and to better understand shallow and deep ventilation processes in the SPNA.
Jan-Lukas Menzel Barraqueta, Christian Schlosser, Hélène Planquette, Arthur Gourain, Marie Cheize, Julia Boutorh, Rachel Shelley, Leonardo Contreira Pereira, Martha Gledhill, Mark J. Hopwood, François Lacan, Pascale Lherminier, Geraldine Sarthou, and Eric P. Achterberg
Biogeosciences, 15, 5271–5286, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-5271-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-5271-2018, 2018
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In the North Atlantic and Labrador Sea, low aerosol deposition and enhanced primary productivity control the dissolved aluminium (dAl) surface distribution, while remineralization of particles seems to control the distribution at depth. DAl in the ocean allows us to indirectly quantify the amount of dust deposited to a given region for a given period. Hence, the study of its distribution, cycling, sources, and sinks is of major importance to improve aerosol deposition models and climate models.
Cheryl M. Zurbrick, Edward A. Boyle, Richard J. Kayser, Matthew K. Reuer, Jingfeng Wu, Hélène Planquette, Rachel Shelley, Julia Boutorh, Marie Cheize, Leonardo Contreira, Jan-Lukas Menzel Barraqueta, François Lacan, and Géraldine Sarthou
Biogeosciences, 15, 4995–5014, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-4995-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-4995-2018, 2018
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During a French cruise in the northern North Atlantic Ocean in 2014, seawater samples were collected for dissolved Pb and Pb isotope analysis. Lead concentrations were highest in subsurface water flowing out of the Mediterranean Sea. The recently formed Labrador Sea Water (LSW) is much lower in Pb concentration than older LSW found in the West European Basin. Comparison of North Atlantic data from 1981 to 2014 shows decreasing Pb concentrations down to ~ 2500 m depth.
Mathieu Rembauville, Stéphane Blain, Clara Manno, Geraint Tarling, Anu Thompson, George Wolff, and Ian Salter
Biogeosciences, 15, 3071–3084, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-3071-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-3071-2018, 2018
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Sinking phytoplankton from the surface ocean provide the principal energy source to deep-ocean ecosystems. Our aim was to understand how different phytoplankton communities impact the chemical nature of this sinking material. We show certain types of phytoplankton can preferentially export energy-rich storage compounds to the seafloor. Any climate-driven effects on phytoplankton community structure could thus impact remote deep-ocean ecosystems thousands of kilometres beneath the surface.
Emilie Le Roy, Virginie Sanial, Matthew A. Charette, Pieter van Beek, François Lacan, Stéphanie H. M. Jacquet, Paul B. Henderson, Marc Souhaut, Maribel I. García-Ibáñez, Catherine Jeandel, Fiz F. Pérez, and Géraldine Sarthou
Biogeosciences, 15, 3027–3048, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-3027-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-3027-2018, 2018
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We report detailed sections of radium-226 (226Ra, T1/2 = 1602 y) activities and barium (Ba) concentrations determined in the North Atlantic (Portugal–Greenland–Canada) in the framework of the international GEOTRACES program (GA01 section–GEOVIDE project, May–July 2014). Dissolved 226Ra and Ba are strongly correlated along the section, which may reflect their similar chemical behavior.
Nolwenn Lemaitre, Hélène Planquette, Frédéric Planchon, Géraldine Sarthou, Stéphanie Jacquet, Maribel I. García-Ibáñez, Arthur Gourain, Marie Cheize, Laurence Monin, Luc André, Priya Laha, Herman Terryn, and Frank Dehairs
Biogeosciences, 15, 2289–2307, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2289-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2289-2018, 2018
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We present the particulate biogenic barium distributions in the North Atlantic for the first time with the objective of estimating mesopelagic carbon remineralisation fluxes. The remineralisation fluxes balanced or slightly exceeded the upper-ocean carbon export fluxes. This is a key result as the North Atlantic is generally assumed to be efficient in transferring carbon to the deep ocean, but during our study, the North Atlantic was characterized by a near-zero carbon sequestration efficiency.
Daniel Cossa, Lars-Eric Heimbürger, Fiz F. Pérez, Maribel I. García-Ibáñez, Jeroen E. Sonke, Hélène Planquette, Pascale Lherminier, Julia Boutorh, Marie Cheize, Jan Lukas Menzel Barraqueta, Rachel Shelley, and Géraldine Sarthou
Biogeosciences, 15, 2309–2323, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2309-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2309-2018, 2018
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We first report the mercury distribution in the water section across the subpolar and subtropical gyres of the North Atlantic Ocean (GEOTRACES-GA01 transect). It allows the characterisation of various seawater types in terms of mercury content and the quantification of mercury transport associated with the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. It shows the nutrient-like biogeochemical behaviour of mercury in this ocean.
Rachel U. Shelley, William M. Landing, Simon J. Ussher, Helene Planquette, and Geraldine Sarthou
Biogeosciences, 15, 2271–2288, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2271-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2271-2018, 2018
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In this study, we discuss the regional variability in the fractional solubility of trace elements (Al, Ti, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) from aerosol samples collected during three cruises to the North Atlantic Ocean. We present data that provides a
solubility window, covering a conservative, lower limit to an upper limit, the maximum potentially soluble fraction, and discuss why this upper limit could be used to represent the biologically available fraction in some regions.
Thomas W. Trull, Abraham Passmore, Diana M. Davies, Tim Smit, Kate Berry, and Bronte Tilbrook
Biogeosciences, 15, 31–49, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-31-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-31-2018, 2018
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We present the first large-scale survey of planktonic biogenic carbonate concentrations south of Australia, accompanied by biogenic silica and particulate organic carbon. These suggest that coccolithophores are largely restricted to subantarctic waters and are present in much lower abundance than in Northern Hemisphere polar waters. Comparison to upper ocean properties suggests that thermal tolerance and competition with diatoms for limiting iron may be as influential as ocean acidification.
Ivia Closset, Damien Cardinal, Mathieu Rembauville, François Thil, and Stéphane Blain
Biogeosciences, 13, 6049–6066, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-6049-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-6049-2016, 2016
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Isotopic measurements were used to investigate the seasonal evolution of the silicon (Si) biogeochemical cycle in a naturally iron-fertilized area of the Southern Ocean. When comparing data from early spring and summer periods, the relationship between Si depletion, biogenic silica production, and their isotopic composition appears decoupled in this region. Considering these results, we refined the seasonal net Si production that was mainly sustained by surface phytoplankton populations.
V. Holly L. Winton, Ross Edwards, Andrew R. Bowie, Melita Keywood, Alistair G. Williams, Scott D. Chambers, Paul W. Selleck, Maximilien Desservettaz, Marc D. Mallet, and Clare Paton-Walsh
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 12829–12848, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12829-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12829-2016, 2016
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The deposition of soluble aerosol iron (Fe) can initiate nitrogen fixation and trigger toxic algal blooms in nitrate-poor tropical waters. We present dry season soluble Fe data from northern Australia that reflect coincident dust and biomass burning sources of soluble Fe. Our results show that while biomass burning species are not a direct source of soluble Fe, biomass burning may substantially enhance the solubility of mineral dust with fractional Fe solubility up to 12 % in mixed aerosols.
Holly Winton, Andrew Bowie, Melita Keywood, Pier van der Merwe, and Ross Edwards
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2016-12, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2016-12, 2016
Revised manuscript not accepted
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Aerosols containing iron have been investigated over the remote Southern Ocean to constrain iron budgets in surface waters and related biological production. Protocols for the sampling of ambient air were used to assess the suitability of high-volume aerosol samplers for aerosol iron studies in pristine air masses. Significant evidence of airborne insect and local soil contamination was detected in exposure blank filters. Suggestions for future aerosol iron sampling in clean air are provided.
A. J. Cavagna, F. Fripiat, M. Elskens, P. Mangion, L. Chirurgien, I. Closset, M. Lasbleiz, L. Florez-Leiva, D. Cardinal, K. Leblanc, C. Fernandez, D. Lefèvre, L. Oriol, S. Blain, B. Quéguiner, and F. Dehairs
Biogeosciences, 12, 6515–6528, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-6515-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-6515-2015, 2015
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Primary production, NO3- and NH4+ uptake, and nitrification rates were measured during the KEOPS 2 cruise (austral spring 2011) in the Kerguelen Plateau area. Natural iron fertilization stimulated primary production which is much higher in the fertilized areas compared to the HNLC site. We report high rates of nitrification in the mixed layer below the euphotic zone. We conclude that high productivity in deep mixing system stimulates the N cycle by increasing both assimilation and regeneration.
J. L. Lieser, M. A. J. Curran, A. R. Bowie, A. T. Davidson, S. J. Doust, A. D. Fraser, B. K. Galton-Fenzi, R. A. Massom, K. M. Meiners, J. Melbourne-Thomas, P. A. Reid, P. G. Strutton, T. R. Vance, M. Vancoppenolle, K. J. Westwood, and S. W. Wright
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-9-6187-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-9-6187-2015, 2015
Revised manuscript has not been submitted
F. d'Ovidio, A. Della Penna, T. W. Trull, F. Nencioli, M.-I. Pujol, M.-H. Rio, Y.-H. Park, C. Cotté, M. Zhou, and S. Blain
Biogeosciences, 12, 5567–5581, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-5567-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-5567-2015, 2015
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Field campaigns are instrumental in providing ground truth for understanding and modeling global ocean biogeochemical budgets. A survey however can only inspect a fraction of the global oceans, typically a region hundreds of kilometers wide for a temporal window of the order of (at most) several weeks. In this spatiotemporal domain, mesoscale variability can mask climatological contrasts. Here we propose the use of multisatellite-based Lagrangian diagnostics to solve this issue.
A. S. Rigual-Hernández, T. W. Trull, S. G. Bray, A. Cortina, and L. K. Armand
Biogeosciences, 12, 5309–5337, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-5309-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-5309-2015, 2015
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Diatom and major components of the flux collected by two sediment traps in subantarctic and polar frontal zones were studied. Despite significant differences in the composition and magnitude of the flux, POC flux was similar between sites. The development of a group of bloom-forming diatoms during summer led to the formation of aggregates and enhanced POC export. Our results suggest that high biogenic silica accumulation rates should be interpreted as a proxy for iron-limited diatom assemblages.
A. R. Bowie, P. van der Merwe, F. Quéroué, T. Trull, M. Fourquez, F. Planchon, G. Sarthou, F. Chever, A. T. Townsend, I. Obernosterer, J.-B. Sallée, and S. Blain
Biogeosciences, 12, 4421–4445, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-4421-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-4421-2015, 2015
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Iron biogeochemical budgets during the natural ocean fertilisation experiment KEOPS-2 showed that complex circulation and transport pathways were responsible for differences in the mode and strength of iron supply, with vertical supply dominant on the plateau and lateral supply dominant in the plume. The exchange of iron between dissolved, biogenic and lithogenic pools was highly dynamic, resulting in a decoupling of iron supply and carbon export and controlling the efficiency of fertilization.
F. Quéroué, G. Sarthou, H. F. Planquette, E. Bucciarelli, F. Chever, P. van der Merwe, D. Lannuzel, A. T. Townsend, M. Cheize, S. Blain, F. d'Ovidio, and A. R. Bowie
Biogeosciences, 12, 3869–3883, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-3869-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-3869-2015, 2015
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Dissolved Fe (dFe) concentrations were measured in the vicinity of the Kerguelen Islands. Direct island runoff, glacial melting, and resuspended sediments were identified as important inputs of dFe that could potentially fertilise the northern part of the plateau. Overall, heterogeneous sources of Fe over and off the plateau, in addition to strong variability in Fe supply by vertical or horizontal transport, may explain the high variability in dFe concentrations observed during this study.
F. Planchon, D. Ballas, A.-J. Cavagna, A. R. Bowie, D. Davies, T. Trull, E. C. Laurenceau-Cornec, P. Van Der Merwe, and F. Dehairs
Biogeosciences, 12, 3831–3848, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-3831-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-3831-2015, 2015
M. Rembauville, I. Salter, N. Leblond, A. Gueneugues, and S. Blain
Biogeosciences, 12, 3153–3170, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-3153-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-3153-2015, 2015
M. Rembauville, S. Blain, L. Armand, B. Quéguiner, and I. Salter
Biogeosciences, 12, 3171–3195, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-3171-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-3171-2015, 2015
I. Obernosterer, M. Fourquez, and S. Blain
Biogeosciences, 12, 1983–1992, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1983-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1983-2015, 2015
L. Farías, L. Florez-Leiva, V. Besoain, G. Sarthou, and C. Fernández
Biogeosciences, 12, 1925–1940, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1925-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1925-2015, 2015
M. Fourquez, I. Obernosterer, D. M. Davies, T. W. Trull, and S. Blain
Biogeosciences, 12, 1893–1906, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1893-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1893-2015, 2015
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In this manuscript, we present the results of iron uptake measured in the naturally iron-fertilized area during the Kerguelen Ocean and Plateau compared Study 2 cruise (KEOPS2). Iron uptake by bulk community and several size fractions (microplankton, pico-nanoplankton and bacteria) are presented, compared and discussed in the present paper. This work also presents first investigations on the potential competition between bacteria and phytoplankton for access to iron.
S. H. M. Jacquet, F. Dehairs, D. Lefèvre, A. J. Cavagna, F. Planchon, U. Christaki, L. Monin, L. André, I. Closset, and D. Cardinal
Biogeosciences, 12, 1713–1731, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1713-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1713-2015, 2015
F. Dehairs, F. Fripiat, A.-J. Cavagna, T. W. Trull, C. Fernandez, D. Davies, A. Roukaerts, D. Fonseca Batista, F. Planchon, and M. Elskens
Biogeosciences, 12, 1459–1482, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1459-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1459-2015, 2015
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We investigated the nitrate N, O isotopic composition for the Southern Ocean Kerguelen Plateau area, aiming at understanding the N-cycling in this naturally iron fertilized area characterized by large recurrent phytoplankton blooms. The system is characterized by moderate consumption of nitrate over the season while silicic acid, on the contrary, becomes depleted, suggesting significant recycling of N. Mixed layer nitrate isotopic signatures corroborate this.
V. Sanial, P. van Beek, B. Lansard, M. Souhaut, E. Kestenare, F. d'Ovidio, M. Zhou, and S. Blain
Biogeosciences, 12, 1415–1430, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1415-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1415-2015, 2015
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We investigated the origin and mechanisms of the natural iron fertilization that sustains a phytoplankton bloom downstream of the Kerguelen Islands. We used radium isotopes to trace the fate of shelf waters that may transport iron and other micronutrients towards offshore waters. We show that shelf waters are rapidly transferred offshore and may be transported across the polar front (PF). The PF may thus not be a strong physical barrier for chemical elements released by the shelf sediments.
T. W. Trull, D. M. Davies, F. Dehairs, A.-J. Cavagna, M. Lasbleiz, E. C. Laurenceau-Cornec, F. d'Ovidio, F. Planchon, K. Leblanc, B. Quéguiner, and S. Blain
Biogeosciences, 12, 1029–1056, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1029-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1029-2015, 2015
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The KEOPS2 oceanographic study surveyed more than 30 sites downstream from the Kerguelen Islands in the Southern Ocean to examine the degree of variation in phytoplankton community responses to natural iron inputs. Our observations of community structure based on the chemical compositions of six microbial size fractions suggest that early spring trophodynamic and export responses differed between regions with persistently low levels versus punctually high levels of iron fertilisation.
E. C. Laurenceau-Cornec, T. W. Trull, D. M. Davies, S. G. Bray, J. Doran, F. Planchon, F. Carlotti, M.-P. Jouandet, A.-J. Cavagna, A. M. Waite, and S. Blain
Biogeosciences, 12, 1007–1027, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1007-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1007-2015, 2015
S. Blain, J. Capparos, A. Guéneuguès, I. Obernosterer, and L. Oriol
Biogeosciences, 12, 623–635, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-623-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-623-2015, 2015
U. Christaki, D. Lefèvre, C. Georges, J. Colombet, P. Catala, C. Courties, T. Sime-Ngando, S. Blain, and I. Obernosterer
Biogeosciences, 11, 6739–6753, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-6739-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-6739-2014, 2014
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The concurrent investigation of several parameters has provided insight into two key roles of heterotrophic bacteria, and the microbial food web functioning, at the onset and late phase of the spring phytoplankton bloom induced by natural iron fertilization in the Southern Ocean.
M. Lasbleiz, K. Leblanc, S. Blain, J. Ras, V. Cornet-Barthaux, S. Hélias Nunige, and B. Quéguiner
Biogeosciences, 11, 5931–5955, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-5931-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-5931-2014, 2014
O. Sackett, L. Armand, J. Beardall, R. Hill, M. Doblin, C. Connelly, J. Howes, B. Stuart, P. Ralph, and P. Heraud
Biogeosciences, 11, 5795–5808, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-5795-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-5795-2014, 2014
M.-P. Jouandet, G. A. Jackson, F. Carlotti, M. Picheral, L. Stemmann, and S. Blain
Biogeosciences, 11, 4393–4406, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-4393-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-4393-2014, 2014
M. Zhou, Y. Zhu, F. d'Ovidio, Y.-H. Park, I. Durand, E. Kestenare, V. Sanial, P. Van-Beek, B. Queguiner, F. Carlotti, and S. Blain
Biogeosciences Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-11-6845-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-11-6845-2014, 2014
Revised manuscript has not been submitted
C. Guinet, X. Xing, E. Walker, P. Monestiez, S. Marchand, B. Picard, T. Jaud, M. Authier, C. Cotté, A. C. Dragon, E. Diamond, D. Antoine, P. Lovell, S. Blain, F. D'Ortenzio, and H. Claustre
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 5, 15–29, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-5-15-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-5-15-2013, 2013
J. Bown, M. Boye, P. Laan, A. R. Bowie, Y.-H. Park, C. Jeandel, and D. M. Nelson
Biogeosciences, 9, 5279–5290, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-9-5279-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-9-5279-2012, 2012
Related subject area
Biogeochemistry: Open Ocean
Coccolithophore abundance and production and their impacts on particulate inorganic carbon cycling in the western North Pacific
A time series analysis of transparent exopolymer particle distributions and C : N stoichiometry in the subtropical North Pacific: a key process in net community production and preformed nitrate anomalies?
Marine snow morphology drives sinking and attenuation in the ocean interior
An upper-mesopelagic-zone carbon budget for the subarctic North Pacific
Ocean alkalinity enhancement in an open-ocean ecosystem: biogeochemical responses and carbon storage durability
Relationships between the concentration of particulate organic nitrogen and the inherent optical properties of seawater in oceanic surface waters
Inadequacies in the representation of sub-seasonal phytoplankton dynamics in Earth system models
Nitrogen dynamics and nitrate stable isotopes indicate nitrogen loss in the Bay of Bengal
Interactions between ocean alkalinity enhancement and phytoplankton in an Earth System Model
A tracer study for the development of in-water monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of ship-based ocean alkalinity enhancement
Composite model-based estimate of the ocean carbon sink from 1959 to 2022
Phytoplankton community structure in relation to iron and macronutrient fluxes from subsurface waters in the western North Pacific during summer
Intense and localized export of selected marine snow types at eddy edges in the South Atlantic Ocean
Spatial distributions of iron and manganese in surface waters of the Arctic's Laptev and East Siberian seas
Climate-driven shifts in Southern Ocean primary producers and biogeochemistry in CMIP6 models
Oceanic enrichment of ammonium and its impacts on phytoplankton community composition under a high-emissions scenario
Ocean acidification trends and carbonate system dynamics across the North Atlantic subpolar gyre water masses during 2009–2019
From small scale variability to mesoscale stability in surface ocean pH: implications for air-sea CO2 equilibration
Sedimentary organic matter signature hints at the phytoplankton-driven biological carbon pump in the central Arabian Sea
Hydrological cycle amplification imposes spatial patterns on the climate change response of ocean pH and carbonate chemistry
Assessing the tropical Atlantic biogeochemical processes in the Norwegian Earth System Model
Evolution of oxygen and stratification and their relationship in the North Pacific Ocean in CMIP6 Earth system models
Evaluation of CMIP6 model performance in simulating historical biogeochemistry across the southern South China Sea
Drivers of decadal trends in the ocean carbon sink in the past, present, and future in Earth system models
Anthropogenic carbon storage and its decadal changes in the Atlantic between 1990–2020
Ocean alkalinity enhancement impacts: regrowth of marine microalgae in alkaline mineral concentrations simulating the initial concentrations after ship-based dispersions
Climatic controls on metabolic constraints in the ocean
Effects of grain size and seawater salinity on magnesium hydroxide dissolution and secondary calcium carbonate precipitation kinetics: implications for ocean alkalinity enhancement
Short-term response of Emiliania huxleyi growth and morphology to abrupt salinity stress
Assessing the impact of CO2-equilibrated ocean alkalinity enhancement on microbial metabolic rates in an oligotrophic system
Phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activities in the eastern Mediterranean in two contrasting seasonal situations
Net primary production annual maxima in the North Atlantic projected to shift in the 21st century
Testing the influence of light on nitrite cycling in the eastern tropical North Pacific
Loss of nitrogen via anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) in the California Current system during the late Quaternary
Technical note: Assessment of float pH data quality control methods – a case study in the subpolar northwest Atlantic Ocean
Linking northeastern North Pacific oxygen changes to upstream surface outcrop variations
Underestimation of multi-decadal global O2 loss due to an optimal interpolation method
Reviews and syntheses: expanding the global coverage of gross primary production and net community production measurements using Biogeochemical-Argo floats
Characteristics of surface physical and biogeochemical parameters within mesoscale eddies in the Southern Ocean
Seasonal dynamics and annual budget of dissolved inorganic carbon in the northwestern Mediterranean deep-convection region
The fingerprint of climate variability on the surface ocean cycling of iron and its isotopes
Reconstructing the ocean's mesopelagic zone carbon budget: sensitivity and estimation of parameters associated with prokaryotic remineralization
Seasonal cycles of biogeochemical fluxes in the Scotia Sea, Southern Ocean: a stable isotope approach
Absence of photophysiological response to iron addition in autumn phytoplankton in the Antarctic sea-ice zone
Optimal parameters for the ocean's nutrient, carbon, and oxygen cycles compensate for circulation biases but replumb the biological pump
Importance of multiple sources of iron for the upper-ocean biogeochemistry over the northern Indian Ocean
Exploring the role of different data types and timescales in the quality of marine biogeochemical model calibration
All about nitrite: exploring nitrite sources and sinks in the eastern tropical North Pacific oxygen minimum zone
Fossil coccolith morphological attributes as a new proxy for deep ocean carbonate chemistry
Reconstructing ocean carbon storage with CMIP6 Earth system models and synthetic Argo observations
Yuye Han, Zvi Steiner, Zhimian Cao, Di Fan, Junhui Chen, Jimin Yu, and Minhan Dai
Biogeosciences, 22, 3681–3697, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3681-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3681-2025, 2025
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Our results suggest coccolithophore calcite accounts for a major fraction of PIC (particulate inorganic carbon) standing stocks in the western North Pacific, with a markedly higher contribution in the oligotrophic subtropical gyre than in the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition region, which highlights the importance of coccolithophores for PIC production in the pelagic ocean, particularly in oligotrophic ocean waters.
Kieran Curran, Tracy A. Villareal, and Robert T. Letscher
Biogeosciences, 22, 3515–3531, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3515-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3515-2025, 2025
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This work provides a 2-year record of marine organic gel concentrations from an open-ocean site in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii. These microscopic gels are investigated to understand their importance as an understudied component of organic matter cycling by marine microbes. We find an important role of gel cycling during the summer months, helping explain previously contradictory estimates of nutrient supply and demand for the subtropical ocean.
Yawouvi Dodji Soviadan, Miriam Beck, Joelle Habib, Alberto Baudena, Laetitia Drago, Alexandre Accardo, Remi Laxenaire, Sabrina Speich, Peter Brandt, Rainer Kiko, and Stemmann Lars
Biogeosciences, 22, 3485–3501, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3485-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3485-2025, 2025
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Key parameters representing the gravity flux in global models are sinking speed and vertical attenuation of exported material. We calculate, for the first time, these parameters in situ in the ocean for six intermittent blooms followed by export events using high-resolution (3 d) time series of 0–1000 m depth profiles from imaging sensors mounted on an Argo float. We show that sinking speed depends not only on size but also on the morphology of the particles, with density being an important property.
Brandon M. Stephens, Montserrat Roca-Martí, Amy E. Maas, Vinícius J. Amaral, Samantha Clevenger, Shawnee Traylor, Claudia R. Benitez-Nelson, Philip W. Boyd, Ken O. Buesseler, Craig A. Carlson, Nicolas Cassar, Margaret Estapa, Andrea J. Fassbender, Yibin Huang, Phoebe J. Lam, Olivier Marchal, Susanne Menden-Deuer, Nicola L. Paul, Alyson E. Santoro, David A. Siegel, and David P. Nicholson
Biogeosciences, 22, 3301–3328, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3301-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3301-2025, 2025
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The ocean’s mesopelagic zone (MZ) plays a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. This study combines new and previously published measurements of organic carbon supply and demand collected in August 2018 in the MZ of the subarctic North Pacific Ocean. Supply was insufficient to meet demand in August, but supply entering into the MZ in the spring of 2018 could have met the August demand. Results suggest observations over seasonal timescales may help to close MZ carbon budgets.
Allanah Joy Paul, Mathias Haunost, Silvan Urs Goldenberg, Jens Hartmann, Nicolás Sánchez, Julieta Schneider, Niels Suitner, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 22, 2749–2766, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2749-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2749-2025, 2025
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Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is being assessed for its potential to absorb atmospheric CO2 and store it for a long time. OAE still needs comprehensive assessment of its safety and effectiveness. We studied an idealised OAE application in a natural low-nutrient ecosystem over 1 month. Our results showed that biogeochemical functioning remained mostly stable but that the long-term capability for storing carbon may be limited at high alkalinity concentration.
Alain Fumenia, Hubert Loisel, Rick A. Reynolds, and Dariusz Stramski
Biogeosciences, 22, 2461–2484, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2461-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2461-2025, 2025
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Particulate organic nitrogen (PON) plays a central role in ocean biogeochemistry, yet limited in situ data hinder a full understanding of PON variability and associated processes. Measurements of optical properties offer an alternative for assessing PON across diverse marine environments. Our analysis reveals strong relationships between PON and optical properties, supporting a promising means to assess PON from optical measurements performed in situ or conducted from remote-sensing platforms.
Madhavan Girijakumari Keerthi, Olivier Aumont, Lester Kwiatkowski, and Marina Levy
Biogeosciences, 22, 2163–2180, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2163-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2163-2025, 2025
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We assessed how well climate models replicate sub-seasonal changes in ocean chlorophyll observed by satellites. Models struggle to capture these variations accurately. Some overestimate fluctuations and their impact on annual chlorophyll variability, while others underestimate them. The underestimation is likely due to limited model resolution, while the overestimation may come from internal model oscillations.
Gesa Schulz, Kirstin Dähnke, Tina Sanders, Jan Penopp, Hermann W. Bange, Rena Czeschel, and Birgit Gaye
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1660, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1660, 2025
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Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) are low-oxygen ocean areas that deplete nitrogen, a key marine nutrient. Understanding nitrogen cycling in OMZs is crucial for the global nitrogen cycle. This study examined nitrogen cycling in the OMZ of the Bay of Bengal and East Equatorial Indian Ocean, revealing limited mixing between both regions. Surface phytoplankton consumes nitrate, while deeper nitrification recycles nitrogen. In the BoB’s OMZ (100–300 m), nitrogen loss likely occurs via anammox.
Miriam Seifert, Christopher Danek, Christoph Völker, and Judith Hauck
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1495, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1495, 2025
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Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) can help to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Yet, our study is the first that investigates the link between OAE and phytoplankton in an Earth System Model. We show that OAE can indirectly decrease primary production, and that biological feedbacks can modify the efficiency of OAE. Our study provides hints for ecological risks of OAE and the quantification of carbon drawdown, and can serve as a kick-start for other models to consider OAE-ecosystem interactions.
Adam V. Subhas, Jennie E. Rheuban, Zhaohui Aleck Wang, Daniel C. McCorkle, Anna P. M. Michel, Lukas Marx, Chloe L. Dean, Kate Morkeski, Matthew G. Hayden, Mary Burkitt-Gray, Francis Elder, Yiming Guo, Heather H. Kim, and Ke Chen
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1348, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1348, 2025
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Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a carbon removal approach in which alkaline materials are added to the marine environment, increasing the ocean's ability to store carbon dioxide. We conducted an open-water experiment releasing and tracking a fluorescent water tracer. Under the right conditions, in-water monitoring of OAE does appear to be possible. We conclude with a series of practical recommendations for open-water OAE monitoring.
Jens Terhaar
Biogeosciences, 22, 1631–1649, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1631-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1631-2025, 2025
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The ocean is a major natural carbon sink. Despite its importance, estimates of the ocean carbon sink remain uncertain. Here, I present a hybrid model estimate of the ocean carbon sink from 1959 to 2022. By combining ocean models in hindcast mode and Earth system models, I keep the strength of each approach and remove the respective weaknesses. This composite model estimate is similar in magnitude to the best estimate of the Global Carbon Budget but 70 % less uncertain.
Huailin Deng, Koji Suzuki, Ichiro Yasuda, Hiroshi Ogawa, and Jun Nishioka
Biogeosciences, 22, 1495–1508, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1495-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1495-2025, 2025
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Iron (Fe) and nitrate are vital for primary production in the North Pacific. Sedimentary Fe is carried by North Pacific Intermediate Water to the North Pacific, but the nutrient return path and its effect on phytoplankton are unclear. By combining Fe and macronutrient fluxes with phytoplankton composition, this study firstly revealed that Fe supply from the subsurface greatly controls diatom abundance and identified the nutrient return path in the subarctic gyre and Kuroshio–Oyashio transition area.
Alexandre Accardo, Rémi Laxenaire, Alberto Baudena, Sabrina Speich, Rainer Kiko, and Lars Stemmann
Biogeosciences, 22, 1183–1201, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1183-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1183-2025, 2025
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The open ocean helps mitigate climate change by storing CO2 via the biological carbon pump (BCP), which involves processes like organic carbon production at the surface and transferring it to the deep ocean via various pathways. By deploying an autonomous platform, we found significant marine snow accumulation from the surface to the mesopelagic zone in frontal regions between eddies. We suggest that the coupling of hydrodynamics at eddy edges and biological activity may enhance this process.
Naoya Kanna, Kazutaka Tateyama, Takuji Waseda, Anna Timofeeva, Maria Papadimitraki, Laura Whitmore, Hajime Obata, Daiki Nomura, Hiroshi Ogawa, Youhei Yamashita, and Igor Polyakov
Biogeosciences, 22, 1057–1076, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1057-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1057-2025, 2025
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This article presents data on iron and manganese, essential micronutrients for primary producers in the Arctic Laptev and East Siberian seas (LESS). There, observations were made through international cooperation with the Nansen and Amundsen Basin Observational System expedition during the late summer of 2021. The results from this study indicate that the major sources controlling the iron and manganese distributions on the LESS continental margins are river discharge and shelf sediment input.
Ben J. Fisher, Alex J. Poulton, Michael P. Meredith, Kimberlee Baldry, Oscar Schofield, and Sian F. Henley
Biogeosciences, 22, 975–994, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-975-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-975-2025, 2025
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The Southern Ocean is a rapidly warming environment, with subsequent impacts on ecosystems and biogeochemical cycling. This study examines changes in phytoplankton and biogeochemistry using a range of climate models. Under climate change, the Southern Ocean will be warmer, more acidic and more productive and will have reduced nutrient availability by 2100. However, there is substantial variability between models across key productivity parameters. We propose ways of reducing this uncertainty.
Pearse J. Buchanan, Juan J. Pierella Karlusich, Robyn E. Tuerena, Roxana Shafiee, E. Malcolm S. Woodward, Chris Bowler, and Alessandro Tagliabue
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3639, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3639, 2025
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Ammonium is a form of nitrogen that may become more important for growth of marine primary producers (i.e., phytoplankton) in the future. Because some phytoplankton taxa have a greater affinity for ammonium than others, the relative increase in ammonium could cause shifts in community composition. We quantify ammonium enrichment, identify its drivers, and isolate the possible effect on phytoplankton community composition under a high emissions scenario.
David Curbelo-Hernández, Fiz F. Pérez, Melchor González-Dávila, Sergey V. Gladyshev, Aridane G. González, David González-Santana, Antón Velo, Alexey Sokov, and J. Magdalena Santana-Casiano
Biogeosciences, 21, 5561–5589, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-5561-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-5561-2024, 2024
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The study evaluated CO2–carbonate system dynamics in the North Atlantic subpolar gyre during 2009–2019. Significant ocean acidification, largely due to rising anthropogenic CO2 levels, was found. Cooling, freshening, and enhanced convective processes intensified this trend, affecting calcite and aragonite saturation. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of ocean acidification and improve our knowledge about its impact on marine ecosystems.
Louise Delaigue, Gert-Jan Reichart, Chris Galley, Yasmina Ourradi, and Matthew Paul Humphreys
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2853, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2853, 2024
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Our study analyzed pH in ocean surface waters to understand how they fluctuate with changes in temperature, salinity, and biological activities. We found that temperature mainly controls daily pH variations, but biological processes also play a role, especially in affecting CO2 levels between the ocean and atmosphere. Our research shows how these factors together maintain the balance of ocean chemistry, which is crucial for predicting changes in marine environments.
Medhavi Pandey, Haimanti Biswas, Daniel Birgel, Nicole Burdanowitz, and Birgit Gaye
Biogeosciences, 21, 4681–4698, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4681-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4681-2024, 2024
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We analysed sea surface temperature (SST) proxy and plankton biomarkers in sediments that accumulate sinking material signatures from surface waters in the central Arabian Sea (21°–11° N, 64° E), a tropical basin impacted by monsoons. We saw a north–south SST gradient, and the biological proxies showed more organic matter from larger algae in the north. Smaller algae and zooplankton were more numerous in the south. These trends were related to ocean–atmospheric processes and oxygen availability.
Allison Hogikyan and Laure Resplandy
Biogeosciences, 21, 4621–4636, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4621-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4621-2024, 2024
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Rising atmospheric CO2 influences ocean carbon chemistry, leading to ocean acidification. Global warming introduces spatial patterns in the intensity of ocean acidification. We show that the most prominent spatial patterns are controlled by warming-driven changes in rainfall and evaporation, not by the direct effect of warming on carbon chemistry and pH. These evaporation and rainfall patterns oppose acidification in saltier parts of the ocean and enhance acidification in fresher regions.
Shunya Koseki, Lander R. Crespo, Jerry Tjiputra, Filippa Fransner, Noel S. Keenlyside, and David Rivas
Biogeosciences, 21, 4149–4168, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4149-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4149-2024, 2024
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We investigated how the physical biases of an Earth system model influence the marine biogeochemical processes in the tropical Atlantic. With four different configurations of the model, we have shown that the versions with better SST reproduction tend to better represent the primary production and air–sea CO2 flux in terms of climatology, seasonal cycle, and response to climate variability.
Lyuba Novi, Annalisa Bracco, Takamitsu Ito, and Yohei Takano
Biogeosciences, 21, 3985–4005, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3985-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3985-2024, 2024
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We explored the relationship between oxygen and stratification in the North Pacific Ocean using a combination of data mining and machine learning. We used isopycnic potential vorticity (IPV) as an indicator to quantify ocean ventilation and analyzed its predictability, a strong O2–IPV connection, and predictability for IPV in the tropical Pacific. This opens new routes for monitoring ocean O2 through few observational sites co-located with more abundant IPV measurements in the tropical Pacific.
Winfred Marshal, Jing Xiang Chung, Nur Hidayah Roseli, Roswati Md Amin, and Mohd Fadzil Bin Mohd Akhir
Biogeosciences, 21, 4007–4035, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4007-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4007-2024, 2024
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This study stands out for thoroughly examining CMIP6 ESMs' ability to simulate biogeochemical variables in the southern South China Sea, an economically important region. It assesses variables like chlorophyll, phytoplankton, nitrate, and oxygen on annual and seasonal scales. While global assessments exist, this study addresses a gap by objectively ranking 13 CMIP6 ocean biogeochemistry models' performance at a regional level, focusing on replicating specific observed biogeochemical variables.
Jens Terhaar
Biogeosciences, 21, 3903–3926, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3903-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3903-2024, 2024
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Despite the ocean’s importance in the carbon cycle and hence the climate, observing the ocean carbon sink remains challenging. Here, I use an ensemble of 12 models to understand drivers of decadal trends of the past, present, and future ocean carbon sink. I show that 80 % of the decadal trends in the multi-model mean ocean carbon sink can be explained by changes in decadal trends in atmospheric CO2. The remaining 20 % are due to internal climate variability and ocean heat uptake.
Reiner Steinfeldt, Monika Rhein, and Dagmar Kieke
Biogeosciences, 21, 3839–3867, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3839-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3839-2024, 2024
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We calculate the amount of anthropogenic carbon (Cant) in the Atlantic for the years 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020. Cant is the carbon that is taken up by the ocean as a result of humanmade CO2 emissions. To determine the amount of Cant, we apply a technique that is based on the observations of other humanmade gases (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons). Regionally, changes in ocean ventilation have an impact on the storage of Cant. Overall, the increase in Cant is driven by the rising CO2 in the atmosphere.
Stephanie Delacroix, Tor Jensen Nystuen, August E. Dessen Tobiesen, Andrew L. King, and Erik Höglund
Biogeosciences, 21, 3677–3690, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3677-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3677-2024, 2024
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The addition of alkaline minerals into the ocean might reduce excessive anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Magnesium hydroxide can be added in large amounts because of its low seawater solubility without reaching harmful pH levels. The toxicity effect results of magnesium hydroxide, by simulating the expected concentrations from a ship's dispersion scenario, demonstrated low impacts on both sensitive and local assemblages of marine microalgae when compared to calcium hydroxide.
Precious Mongwe, Matthew Long, Takamitsu Ito, Curtis Deutsch, and Yeray Santana-Falcón
Biogeosciences, 21, 3477–3490, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3477-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3477-2024, 2024
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We use a collection of measurements that capture the physiological sensitivity of organisms to temperature and oxygen and a CESM1 large ensemble to investigate how natural climate variations and climate warming will impact the ability of marine heterotrophic marine organisms to support habitats in the future. We find that warming and dissolved oxygen loss over the next several decades will reduce the volume of ocean habitats and will increase organisms' vulnerability to extremes.
Charly A. Moras, Tyler Cyronak, Lennart T. Bach, Renaud Joannes-Boyau, and Kai G. Schulz
Biogeosciences, 21, 3463–3475, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3463-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3463-2024, 2024
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We investigate the effects of mineral grain size and seawater salinity on magnesium hydroxide dissolution and calcium carbonate precipitation kinetics for ocean alkalinity enhancement. Salinity did not affect the dissolution, but calcium carbonate formed earlier at lower salinities due to the lower magnesium and dissolved organic carbon concentrations. Smaller grain sizes dissolved faster but calcium carbonate precipitated earlier, suggesting that medium grain sizes are optimal for kinetics.
Rosie M. Sheward, Christina Gebühr, Jörg Bollmann, and Jens O. Herrle
Biogeosciences, 21, 3121–3141, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3121-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3121-2024, 2024
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How quickly do marine microorganisms respond to salinity stress? Our experiments with the calcifying marine plankton Emiliania huxleyi show that growth and cell morphology responded to salinity stress within as little as 24–48 hours, demonstrating that morphology and calcification are sensitive to salinity over a range of timescales. Our results have implications for understanding the short-term role of E. huxleyi in biogeochemical cycles and in size-based paleoproxies for salinity.
Laura Marín-Samper, Javier Arístegui, Nauzet Hernández-Hernández, Joaquín Ortiz, Stephen D. Archer, Andrea Ludwig, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 21, 2859–2876, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2859-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2859-2024, 2024
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Our planet is facing a climate crisis. Scientists are working on innovative solutions that will aid in capturing the hard to abate emissions before it is too late. Exciting research reveals that ocean alkalinity enhancement, a key climate change mitigation strategy, does not harm phytoplankton, the cornerstone of marine ecosystems. Through meticulous study, we may have uncovered a positive relationship: up to a specific limit, enhancing ocean alkalinity boosts photosynthesis by certain species.
France Van Wambeke, Pascal Conan, Mireille Pujo-Pay, Vincent Taillandier, Olivier Crispi, Alexandra Pavlidou, Sandra Nunige, Morgane Didry, Christophe Salmeron, and Elvira Pulido-Villena
Biogeosciences, 21, 2621–2640, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2621-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2621-2024, 2024
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Phosphomonoesterase (PME) and phosphodiesterase (PDE) activities over the epipelagic zone are described in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in winter and autumn. The types of concentration kinetics obtained for PDE (saturation at 50 µM, high Km, high turnover times) compared to those of PME (saturation at 1 µM, low Km, low turnover times) are discussed in regard to the possible inequal distribution of PDE and PME in the size continuum of organic material and accessibility to phosphodiesters.
Jenny Hieronymus, Magnus Hieronymus, Matthias Gröger, Jörg Schwinger, Raffaele Bernadello, Etienne Tourigny, Valentina Sicardi, Itzel Ruvalcaba Baroni, and Klaus Wyser
Biogeosciences, 21, 2189–2206, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2189-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2189-2024, 2024
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The timing of the net primary production annual maxima in the North Atlantic in the period 1750–2100 is investigated using two Earth system models and the high-emissions scenario SSP5-8.5. It is found that, for most of the region, the annual maxima occur progressively earlier, with the most change occurring after the year 2000. Shifts in the seasonality of the primary production may impact the entire ecosystem, which highlights the need for long-term monitoring campaigns in this area.
Nicole M. Travis, Colette L. Kelly, and Karen L. Casciotti
Biogeosciences, 21, 1985–2004, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-1985-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-1985-2024, 2024
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We conducted experimental manipulations of light level on microbial communities from the primary nitrite maximum. Overall, while individual microbial processes have different directions and magnitudes in their response to increasing light, the net community response is a decline in nitrite production with increasing light. We conclude that while increased light may decrease net nitrite production, high-light conditions alone do not exclude nitrification from occurring in the surface ocean.
Zoë Rebecca van Kemenade, Zeynep Erdem, Ellen Christine Hopmans, Jaap Smede Sinninghe Damsté, and Darci Rush
Biogeosciences, 21, 1517–1532, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-1517-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-1517-2024, 2024
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The California Current system (CCS) hosts the eastern subtropical North Pacific oxygen minimum zone (ESTNP OMZ). This study shows anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (anammox) bacteria cause a loss of bioavailable nitrogen (N) in the ESTNP OMZ throughout the late Quaternary. Anammox occurred during both glacial and interglacial periods and was driven by the supply of organic matter and changes in ocean currents. These findings may have important consequences for biogeochemical models of the CCS.
Cathy Wimart-Rousseau, Tobias Steinhoff, Birgit Klein, Henry Bittig, and Arne Körtzinger
Biogeosciences, 21, 1191–1211, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-1191-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-1191-2024, 2024
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The marine CO2 system can be measured independently and continuously by BGC-Argo floats since numerous pH sensors have been developed to suit these autonomous measurements platforms. By applying the Argo correction routines to float pH data acquired in the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean, we report the uncertainty and lack of objective criteria associated with the choice of the reference method as well the reference depth for the pH correction.
Sabine Mecking and Kyla Drushka
Biogeosciences, 21, 1117–1133, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-1117-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-1117-2024, 2024
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This study investigates whether northeastern North Pacific oxygen changes may be caused by surface density changes in the northwest as water moves along density horizons from the surface into the subsurface ocean. A correlation is found with a lag that about matches the travel time of water from the northwest to the northeast. Salinity is the main driver causing decadal changes in surface density, whereas salinity and temperature contribute about equally to long-term declining density trends.
Takamitsu Ito, Hernan E. Garcia, Zhankun Wang, Shoshiro Minobe, Matthew C. Long, Just Cebrian, James Reagan, Tim Boyer, Christopher Paver, Courtney Bouchard, Yohei Takano, Seth Bushinsky, Ahron Cervania, and Curtis A. Deutsch
Biogeosciences, 21, 747–759, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-747-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-747-2024, 2024
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This study aims to estimate how much oceanic oxygen has been lost and its uncertainties. One major source of uncertainty comes from the statistical gap-filling methods. Outputs from Earth system models are used to generate synthetic observations where oxygen data are extracted from the model output at the location and time of historical oceanographic cruises. Reconstructed oxygen trend is approximately two-thirds of the true trend.
Robert W. Izett, Katja Fennel, Adam C. Stoer, and David P. Nicholson
Biogeosciences, 21, 13–47, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-13-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-13-2024, 2024
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This paper provides an overview of the capacity to expand the global coverage of marine primary production estimates using autonomous ocean-going instruments, called Biogeochemical-Argo floats. We review existing approaches to quantifying primary production using floats, provide examples of the current implementation of the methods, and offer insights into how they can be better exploited. This paper is timely, given the ongoing expansion of the Biogeochemical-Argo array.
Qian Liu, Yingjie Liu, and Xiaofeng Li
Biogeosciences, 20, 4857–4874, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4857-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4857-2023, 2023
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In the Southern Ocean, abundant eddies behave opposite to our expectations. That is, anticyclonic (cyclonic) eddies are cold (warm). By investigating the variations of physical and biochemical parameters in eddies, we find that abnormal eddies have unique and significant effects on modulating the parameters. This study fills a gap in understanding the effects of abnormal eddies on physical and biochemical parameters in the Southern Ocean.
Caroline Ulses, Claude Estournel, Patrick Marsaleix, Karline Soetaert, Marine Fourrier, Laurent Coppola, Dominique Lefèvre, Franck Touratier, Catherine Goyet, Véronique Guglielmi, Fayçal Kessouri, Pierre Testor, and Xavier Durrieu de Madron
Biogeosciences, 20, 4683–4710, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4683-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4683-2023, 2023
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Deep convection plays a key role in the circulation, thermodynamics, and biogeochemical cycles in the Mediterranean Sea, considered to be a hotspot of biodiversity and climate change. In this study, we investigate the seasonal and annual budget of dissolved inorganic carbon in the deep-convection area of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea.
Daniela König and Alessandro Tagliabue
Biogeosciences, 20, 4197–4212, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4197-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4197-2023, 2023
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Using model simulations, we show that natural and anthropogenic changes in the global climate leave a distinct fingerprint in the isotopic signatures of iron in the surface ocean. We find that these climate effects on iron isotopes are often caused by the redistribution of iron from different external sources to the ocean, due to changes in ocean currents, and by changes in algal growth, which take up iron. Thus, isotopes may help detect climate-induced changes in iron supply and algal uptake.
Chloé Baumas, Robin Fuchs, Marc Garel, Jean-Christophe Poggiale, Laurent Memery, Frédéric A. C. Le Moigne, and Christian Tamburini
Biogeosciences, 20, 4165–4182, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4165-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4165-2023, 2023
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Through the sink of particles in the ocean, carbon (C) is exported and sequestered when reaching 1000 m. Attempts to quantify C exported vs. C consumed by heterotrophs have increased. Yet most of the conducted estimations have led to C demands several times higher than C export. The choice of parameters greatly impacts the results. As theses parameters are overlooked, non-accurate values are often used. In this study we show that C budgets can be well balanced when using appropriate values.
Anna Belcher, Sian F. Henley, Katharine Hendry, Marianne Wootton, Lisa Friberg, Ursula Dallman, Tong Wang, Christopher Coath, and Clara Manno
Biogeosciences, 20, 3573–3591, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3573-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3573-2023, 2023
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The oceans play a crucial role in the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide, particularly the Southern Ocean. The biological pumping of carbon from the surface to the deep ocean is key to this. Using sediment trap samples from the Scotia Sea, we examine biogeochemical fluxes of carbon, nitrogen, and biogenic silica and their stable isotope compositions. We find phytoplankton community structure and physically mediated processes are important controls on particulate fluxes to the deep ocean.
Asmita Singh, Susanne Fietz, Sandy J. Thomalla, Nicolas Sanchez, Murat V. Ardelan, Sébastien Moreau, Hanna M. Kauko, Agneta Fransson, Melissa Chierici, Saumik Samanta, Thato N. Mtshali, Alakendra N. Roychoudhury, and Thomas J. Ryan-Keogh
Biogeosciences, 20, 3073–3091, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3073-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3073-2023, 2023
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Despite the scarcity of iron in the Southern Ocean, seasonal blooms occur due to changes in nutrient and light availability. Surprisingly, during an autumn bloom in the Antarctic sea-ice zone, the results from incubation experiments showed no significant photophysiological response of phytoplankton to iron addition. This suggests that ambient iron concentrations were sufficient, challenging the notion of iron deficiency in the Southern Ocean through extended iron-replete post-bloom conditions.
Benoît Pasquier, Mark Holzer, Matthew A. Chamberlain, Richard J. Matear, Nathaniel L. Bindoff, and François W. Primeau
Biogeosciences, 20, 2985–3009, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2985-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2985-2023, 2023
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Modeling the ocean's carbon and oxygen cycles accurately is challenging. Parameter optimization improves the fit to observed tracers but can introduce artifacts in the biological pump. Organic-matter production and subsurface remineralization rates adjust to compensate for circulation biases, changing the pathways and timescales with which nutrients return to the surface. Circulation biases can thus strongly alter the system’s response to ecological change, even when parameters are optimized.
Priyanka Banerjee
Biogeosciences, 20, 2613–2643, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2613-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2613-2023, 2023
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This study shows that atmospheric deposition is the most important source of iron to the upper northern Indian Ocean for phytoplankton growth. This is followed by iron from continental-shelf sediment. Phytoplankton increase following iron addition is possible only with high background levels of nitrate. Vertical mixing is the most important physical process supplying iron to the upper ocean in this region throughout the year. The importance of ocean currents in supplying iron varies seasonally.
Iris Kriest, Julia Getzlaff, Angela Landolfi, Volkmar Sauerland, Markus Schartau, and Andreas Oschlies
Biogeosciences, 20, 2645–2669, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2645-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2645-2023, 2023
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Global biogeochemical ocean models are often subjectively assessed and tuned against observations. We applied different strategies to calibrate a global model against observations. Although the calibrated models show similar tracer distributions at the surface, they differ in global biogeochemical fluxes, especially in global particle flux. Simulated global volume of oxygen minimum zones varies strongly with calibration strategy and over time, rendering its temporal extrapolation difficult.
John C. Tracey, Andrew R. Babbin, Elizabeth Wallace, Xin Sun, Katherine L. DuRussel, Claudia Frey, Donald E. Martocello III, Tyler Tamasi, Sergey Oleynik, and Bess B. Ward
Biogeosciences, 20, 2499–2523, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2499-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2499-2023, 2023
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Nitrogen (N) is essential for life; thus, its availability plays a key role in determining marine productivity. Using incubations of seawater spiked with a rare form of N measurable on a mass spectrometer, we quantified microbial pathways that determine marine N availability. The results show that pathways that recycle N have higher rates than those that result in its loss from biomass and present new evidence for anaerobic nitrite oxidation, a process long thought to be strictly aerobic.
Amanda Gerotto, Hongrui Zhang, Renata Hanae Nagai, Heather M. Stoll, Rubens César Lopes Figueira, Chuanlian Liu, and Iván Hernández-Almeida
Biogeosciences, 20, 1725–1739, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1725-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1725-2023, 2023
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Based on the analysis of the response of coccolithophores’ morphological attributes in a laboratory dissolution experiment and surface sediment samples from the South China Sea, we proposed that the thickness shape (ks) factor of fossil coccoliths together with the normalized ks variation, which is the ratio of the standard deviation of ks (σ) over the mean ks (σ/ks), is a robust and novel proxy to reconstruct past changes in deep ocean carbon chemistry.
Katherine E. Turner, Doug M. Smith, Anna Katavouta, and Richard G. Williams
Biogeosciences, 20, 1671–1690, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1671-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1671-2023, 2023
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We present a new method for reconstructing ocean carbon using climate models and temperature and salinity observations. To test this method, we reconstruct modelled carbon using synthetic observations consistent with current sampling programmes. Sensitivity tests show skill in reconstructing carbon trends and variability within the upper 2000 m. Our results indicate that this method can be used for a new global estimate for ocean carbon content.
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Short summary
Trace metal analysis of suspended and settling particles and underlying sediment was undertaken to elucidate the source to sink progression of the particulate trace metal pool near Kerguelen Island (Southern Ocean). Findings indicate that the Kerguelen Plateau is a source of trace metals via resuspended shelf sediments, especially below the mixed layer. However, glacial/fluvial runoff into shallow coastal waters is an important mode of fertilisation to areas downstream of Kerguelen Island.
Trace metal analysis of suspended and settling particles and underlying sediment was undertaken...
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