High-resolution observations of aggregate flux during a sub-polar North Atlantic spring bloom |
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Authors: | Nathan Briggs Mary Jane PerryIvona Cetini? Craig LeeEric D'Asaro Amanda M GrayEric Rehm |
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Institution: | a Darling Marine Center, School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Walpole, ME, USA b Applied Physics Laboratory and School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA |
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Abstract: | An aggregate flux event was observed by ship and by four underwater gliders during the 2008 sub-polar North Atlantic spring bloom experiment (NAB08). At the height of the diatom bloom, aggregates were observed as spikes in measurements of both particulate backscattering coefficient (bbp) and chlorophyll a fluorescence. Optical sensors on the ship and gliders were cross-calibrated through a series of simultaneous profiles, and bbp was converted to particulate organic carbon. The aggregates sank as a discrete pulse, with an average sinking rate of ∼75 m d−1; 65% of aggregate backscattering and 90% of chlorophyll fluorescence content was lost between 100 m and 900 m. Mean aggregate organic carbon flux at 100 m in mid-May was estimated at 514 mg C m−2 d−1, consistent with independent flux estimates. The use of optical spikes observed from gliders provides unprecedented coupled vertical and temporal resolution measurements of an aggregate flux event. |
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Keywords: | Optical backscattering spikes Chlorophyll fluorescence spikes Phytoplankton aggregates Carbon flux Autonomous underwater gliders North Atlantic spring bloom |
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