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Carbon dynamics within cyclonic eddies: insights from a biomarker study
Iván J Alonso-González1, Javier Arístegui2, Cindy Lee3
1Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global (IOCAG), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain ; Spanish Bank of Algae (BEA), Telde, Spain.
Plos One
|January 4, 2014
Summary
Cyclonic eddies significantly increase particulate organic carbon export during summer and autumn stratification, but not during winter mixing. This highlights eddies
Area of Science:
- Oceanography
- Marine Biogeochemistry
- Biological Oceanography
Background:
- Subtropical regions often experience low nutrient levels, relying on nutrient pulses from cyclonic eddies for primary production.
- The impact of eddies on particulate organic carbon (POC) export remains debated, with conflicting research findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cyclonic eddies in POC export in the Canary Islands region.
- To understand the seasonal variability of eddy-influenced carbon export.
Main Methods:
- Deployment of a sediment trap mooring within the path of cyclonic eddies for 1.5 years.
- Analysis of POC export fluxes and biomarker composition.
Main Results:
- POC export was 2-4 times higher during summer/autumn stratification compared to winter/spring mixing.
- No significant POC export enhancement was observed during winter/spring blooms.
- Biomarker data suggest mesopelagic recycling or zooplankton bypass of bloom material during winter/spring.
Conclusions:
- Cyclonic eddies enhance deep ocean carbon export during summer stratification, not winter blooms.
- Eddy intensity and biological communities play a crucial role in the regional carbon cycle.
- Seasonal differences in eddy dynamics and biological responses significantly affect carbon export efficiency.
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