Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-10-12529-2013
https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-10-12529-2013
26 Jul 2013
 | 26 Jul 2013
Status: this preprint has been withdrawn by the authors.

Physical-biological interactions to the west of Hawaiian Islands: impact of submesoscale dynamics on biological productivity

P. Xiu and F. Chai

Abstract. Abundant energetic eddies and frontal processes occur frequently to the west of Hawaiian Islands. Their impacts on biological productivity, however, are ambiguous because satellite-measured surface chlorophyll often shows a completely different pattern to eddy kinetic energy field. Our study suggests a new mechanism of how those oceanic eddies and frontal processes affect phytoplankton dynamics by changing their physiological conditions. Due to eddy–eddy or eddy–front interactions, high eddy activity creates regions with enhanced shear and straining that leads to rapid upper ocean restratification and submesoscale vertical motions. The restratification process deceases mixed layer depth that increases the mean exposure of the phytoplankton cells to light, thus resulting in enhanced photosynthetic carbon-based production. In contrast, increased light in the surface layer could either decrease phytoplankton chlorophyll due to the photoacclimation effect or increase chlorophyll when light is a limiting factor for phytoplankton growth. Combined with another two competing processes for vertical nutrient flux, ocean restratification and submesoscale upward motions, it introduces different responses and uncertainties of observed chlorophyll-based production to eddy activity and frontal processes.

This preprint has been withdrawn.

P. Xiu and F. Chai

Interactive discussion

Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement

Interactive discussion

Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
P. Xiu and F. Chai
P. Xiu and F. Chai

Viewed

Total article views: 1,649 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
810 747 92 1,649 38 41
  • HTML: 810
  • PDF: 747
  • XML: 92
  • Total: 1,649
  • BibTeX: 38
  • EndNote: 41
Views and downloads (calculated since 26 Jul 2013)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 26 Jul 2013)

Cited

Saved

Latest update: 28 Mar 2024
Download

This preprint has been withdrawn.

Altmetrics