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Adaptive carbon export response to warming in the Sargasso Sea

Author

Listed:
  • Michael W. Lomas

    (Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences)

  • Nicholas R. Bates

    (Bermuda Institute for Ocean Sciences
    University of Southampton)

  • Rodney J. Johnson

    (Bermuda Institute for Ocean Sciences)

  • Deborah K. Steinberg

    (Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary, Gloucester Pt.)

  • Tatsuro Tanioka

    (University of California)

Abstract

Ocean ecosystem models predict that warming and increased surface ocean stratification will trigger a series of ecosystem events, reducing the biological export of particulate carbon to the ocean interior. We present a nearly three-decade time series from the open ocean that documents a biological response to ocean warming and nutrient reductions wherein particulate carbon export is maintained, counter to expectations. Carbon export is maintained through a combination of phytoplankton community change to favor cyanobacteria with high cellular carbon-to-phosphorus ratios and enhanced shallow phosphorus recycling leading to increased nutrient use efficiency. These results suggest that surface ocean ecosystems may be more responsive and adapt more rapidly to changes in the hydrographic system than is currently envisioned in earth ecosystem models, with positive consequences for ocean carbon uptake.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael W. Lomas & Nicholas R. Bates & Rodney J. Johnson & Deborah K. Steinberg & Tatsuro Tanioka, 2022. "Adaptive carbon export response to warming in the Sargasso Sea," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-28842-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28842-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Samuel W. Stevens & Rodney J. Johnson & Guillaume Maze & Nicholas R. Bates, 2020. "Publisher Correction: A recent decline in North Atlantic subtropical mode water formation," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 10(11), pages 1062-1062, November.
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