Articles | Volume 22, issue 13
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3143-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3143-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
02 Jul 2025
Research article |
| 02 Jul 2025
| 02 Jul 2025
Mismatch between coccolithophore-based estimates of particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) concentration and satellite-derived PIC concentration in the Pacific Southern Ocean
Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of the Environment and Life Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 3QL, United Kingdom
Karl-Heinz Baumann
Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany
Nuria Bachiller-Jareno
School of the Environment and Life Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 3QL, United Kingdom
Department of Computer Science, University of Exeter, Exeter, Streatham Campus, Rennes Drive, Exeter, EX4 4RN, United Kingdom
Harold Lovell
School of the Environment and Life Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 3QL, United Kingdom
Nele Manon Vollmar
Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany
NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, NORCE Climate & Environment, 5007, Bergen, Norway and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Bergen, Norway
Elisa Malinverno
Department of Geological Sciences and Geotechnologies, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126, Milan, Italy
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Short summary
This study combines micropaleontology and satellite remote sensing to investigate particulate inorganic carbon in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. We compare estimates of calcium carbonate produced by coccolithophores (tiny marine algae) to satellite measurements of particulate inorganic carbon. Both datasets show good agreement north of the Polar Front, but large differences are observed to the south of it, likely because of highly reflective small opal particles in this zone.
This study combines micropaleontology and satellite remote sensing to investigate particulate...
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