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Remote assessment of the fate of phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean sea-ice zone

Author

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  • Sébastien Moreau

    (Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre
    University of Tasmania)

  • Philip W. Boyd

    (University of Tasmania)

  • Peter G. Strutton

    (University of Tasmania
    University of Tasmania)

Abstract

In the Southern Ocean, large-scale phytoplankton blooms occur in open water and the sea-ice zone (SIZ). These blooms have a range of fates including physical advection, downward carbon export, or grazing. Here, we determine the magnitude, timing and spatial trends of the biogeochemical (export) and ecological (foodwebs) fates of phytoplankton, based on seven BGC-Argo floats spanning three years across the SIZ. We calculate loss terms using the production of chlorophyll—based on nitrate depletion—compared with measured chlorophyll. Export losses are estimated using conspicuous chlorophyll pulses at depth. By subtracting export losses, we calculate grazing-mediated losses. Herbivory accounts for ~90% of the annually-averaged losses (169 mg C m−2 d−1), and phytodetritus POC export comprises ~10%. Furthermore, export and grazing losses each exhibit distinctive seasonality captured by all floats spanning 60°S to 69°S. These similar trends reveal widespread patterns in phytoplankton fate throughout the Southern Ocean SIZ.

Suggested Citation

  • Sébastien Moreau & Philip W. Boyd & Peter G. Strutton, 2020. "Remote assessment of the fate of phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean sea-ice zone," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-16931-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16931-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Sebastien Moreau & Tore Hattermann & Laura Steur & Hanna M. Kauko & Heidi Ahonen & Murat Ardelan & Philipp Assmy & Melissa Chierici & Sebastien Descamps & Tilman Dinter & Tone Falkenhaug & Agneta Fran, 2023. "Wind-driven upwelling of iron sustains dense blooms and food webs in the eastern Weddell Gyre," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Afonso Ferreira & Carlos R. B. Mendes & Raul R. Costa & Vanda Brotas & Virginia M. Tavano & Catarina V. Guerreiro & Eduardo R. Secchi & Ana C. Brito, 2024. "Climate change is associated with higher phytoplankton biomass and longer blooms in the West Antarctic Peninsula," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Kenza Himmich & Martin Vancoppenolle & Gurvan Madec & Jean-Baptiste Sallée & Paul R. Holland & Marion Lebrun, 2023. "Drivers of Antarctic sea ice advance," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Léo Lacour & Joan Llort & Nathan Briggs & Peter G. Strutton & Philip W. Boyd, 2023. "Seasonality of downward carbon export in the Pacific Southern Ocean revealed by multi-year robotic observations," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.

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