Impacts of the wintertime mesozooplankton community to downward carbon flux in the subarctic and subtropical Pacific Oceans

We compared wintertime depth distributions of the mesozooplankton community and dominant copepods between the subtropical (S1) and subarctic (K2) Pacific Oceans to evaluate the relative importance of actively transported carbon by vertical migrants to sinking particulate organic carbon flux. Primary production was higher and the ratio of sinking particulate organic carbon flux to primary production was lower at S1 compared with those at K2. The mesozooplankton community was lower in abundance and biomass at S1 compared to K2. Copepods were the dominant group among both mesozooplankton abundance and biomass throughout the water column down to 1000 m at both sites. The depth distribution showed that diel vertical migration was obvious for the mesozooplankton abundance and biomass at S1 but was not apparent for the abundance at K2, because the dominant component was diurnally migrating species at S1 and overwintering species residing at mesopelagic depths at K2. The major components of diel migrants were copepods and euphausiids at S1 and only euphausiids at K2. Respiratory flux by the diurnally migrating mesozooplankton was estimated to be 2 mgC m⁻² day⁻¹ at S1 and 7 mgC m⁻² day⁻¹ at K2. The respiratory flux was equivalent to 131% of sedimentary fecal pellet flux at S1 and 136% of that at K2. Because pathways of downward carbon flux are facilitated by the mesozooplankton community, the actively transported carbon (respiration of dissolved inorganic carbon, excretion of dissolved organic carbon and egestion of fecal pellets at depth) might be larger during winter than the flux of sinking fecal pellets.     

Phytoplankton dynamics in the NE subarctic Pacific

Ocean Station Papa (OSP, 50°N 145°W) in the NE subarctic Pacific is characterised as high nitrate low chlorophyll (HNLC). However, little is known about the spatial extent of these HNLC waters or the phytoplankton dynamics on the basin scale. Algal biomass, production and size-structure data are presented from winter, spring and summer between 1992 and 1997 for five stations ranging from coastal to open-ocean conditions. The inshore stations (P04–P16) are characterised by the classical seasonal cycle of spring and late summer blooms (production >3 g C m⁻² d⁻¹), diatoms are not Fe-stressed, and growth rate is probably controlled by macronutrient supply. The fate of the phytoplankton is likely sedimentation by diatom-dominated spring blooms, with a pelagic recycling system predominating at other times. The offshore stations (P20/OSP) display low seasonality in biomass and production (OSP, mean winter production 0.3 g C m⁻² d⁻¹, mean spring/summer production 0.85 g C m⁻² d⁻¹), and are dominated by small algal cells. Low Fe availability prevents the occurrence of diatom blooms observed inshore. The main fate of phytoplankton is probably recycling through the microbial food web, with relatively low sedimentation compared to inshore. However, the supply of macro- and micro-nutrients to the coastal and open ocean, respectively, may vary between years. Variability in macro-nutrient supply to the coastal ocean may result in decreased winter reserve nitrate, summer nitrate limitation, subsequent floristic shifts towards small cells, and reduced primary production. Offshore, higher diatom abundances are occasionally observed, perhaps indicating episodic Fe supply. The two distinct oceanic regimes have different phytoplankton dynamics resulting in different seasonality, community structure and fate of algal carbon. These differences will strongly influence the biogeochemical signatures of the coastal and open-oceanic NE subarctic Pacific.     

Functional roles of interzonal migrating mesozooplankton in the western subarctic Pacific

Grazing experiments and production estimation based on life-history analysis of Neocalanus copepods (N. cristatus, N. plumchrus and N. flemingeri) were carried out in the Oyashio region to understand the carbon flows associated with the interzonal migrating copepods. These copepods, and also Eucalanus bungii, fed on nano- and micro-sized organisms non-selectively throughout the season. However, diatoms were the dominant food resource until May and organisms, such as ciliates were the major resource after May. Daily growth rate was estimated from the Ikeda–Motoda, Huntley–Lopez and Hirst–Sheader models. Since the growth rates were considered to be overestimates for the Huntley–Lopez model and underestimates for the other two models, we applied the weight-specific growth rates previously reported for these species in the Bering Shelf. Surface biomass of Neocalanus increased rapidly in June during the appearance of C5, and a successive increase of overwintering stock was evident in the deeper layer. The deep biomass decreased gradually from September to May during the dormant and reproduction period. N. cristatus has the largest annual mean biomass (2.3 gC m⁻²), followed by N. plumchrus (1.1) and N. flemingeri (0.4). Daily production rate of Neocalanus varied from 0.4 to 363.4 mgC m⁻² day⁻¹, to which N. cristatus was the largest contributor. Annual production was estimated as 11.5 gC m⁻² year⁻¹ for N. cristatus, 5.7 for N. plumchrus and 2.1 for N. flemingeri, yielding annual P/B ratio of 5 for each species. The annual production of Neocalanus accounted for 13.2% of the primary production in the Oyashio region. Their fecal pellets were estimated to account for 14.9% (0.7 gC m⁻² year⁻¹) of sinking flux of organic carbon at 1000-m depth. Moreover, their export flux by ontogenetic vertical migration, which is not measured by sediment trap observations, is estimated to be 91.5% (4.3 gC m⁻² year⁻¹) of carbon flux of sinking particles at 1000-m depth. These results suggest the important role of interzonal migrating copepods in the export flux of carbon.     

Mesozooplankton community characteristics in the NE subarctic Pacific

Mesozooplankton biomass, species composition, abundance, and vertical distribution were determined along a transect from the continental slope off the west coast of Canada to Ocean Station Papa (OSP) in the open-ocean waters of the NE subarctic Pacific as part of the Canadian Joint Global Ocean Flux Study of this area. All of these measurements had distinct seasonal patterns. At OSP biomass peaked in spring, coincident with the annual biomass maximum of large copepods of the genus Neocalanus. Early copepodites of these copepods were present in surface waters at all stations along the transect in winter, but N. plumchrus and N. flemingeri copepodites were only at the offshore stations in spring. This indicated that these large copepods had completed the growth phase of their life cycle slower in the open ocean than closer to shore where they had already descended to deep water by May or June. Summer biomass was low compared to the spring peak. The summer mesozooplankton abundance was similar to the springtime abundance, but the composition had changed from large-bodied copepods in the spring to small copepods and fewer non-copepod taxa in the summer, which accounts for the reduction in total biomass. Winter biomass was the lowest of the year. Winter species composition was similar to summer except for the appearance of juvenile stages of the genera Neocalanus and Calanus. Diel changes in biomass in the upper 150 m were found in summer but not in winter or spring. Vertical distributions of copepods were often distinct, with closely related species occupying different depth strata. Measurements of wet weight at OSP were higher than the long-term mean wet weight during winter and spring, and lower during summer.     

Seasonal variability in carbon demand and flux by mesozooplankton communities at subarctic and subtropical sites in the western North Pacific Ocean

We investigated seasonal changes in carbon demand and flux by mesozooplankton communities at subtropical (S1) and subarctic sites (K2) in the western North Pacific Ocean to compare the impact of mesozooplankton communities on the carbon budget in surface and mesopelagic layers. Fecal pellet fluxes were one order higher at K2 than at S1, and seemed to be enhanced by copepod and euphausiid egestion under high chlorophyll a concentrations. The decrease in pellet volume and the lack of any substantial change in shape composition during sink suggest a decline in fecal pellet flux due to coprorhexy and coprophagy. While respiratory and excretory carbon by diel migrants at depth (i.e., active carbon flux) was similar between the two sites, the actively transported carbon exceeded sinking fecal pellets at S1. Mesozooplankton carbon demand in surface and mesopelagic layers was higher at K2 than S1, and an excess of demand to primary production and sinking POC flux was found during some seasons at K2. We propose that this demand was met by supplementary carbon sources such as feeding on protozoans and fecal pellets at the surface and carnivory of migrants at mesopelagic depths.     

Sporadic silicate limitation of phytoplankton productivity in the subarctic NE Pacific

A time series (1970–1980) of silicate concentrations in the surface mixed layer at Ocean Station P (OSP, 50°N, 145°W) in the subarctic NE Pacific Ocean in high-nutrient and low-chlorophyll (HNLC) waters shows nearly total depletion of silicate (<1 μmol kg⁻¹) in the summers of 1972, 1976 and 1979. From a mixed-layer model for the spring–summer period, we calculated silicate and nitrate utilization. The silicate utilization (ΔSiO₄) during the growing season displays large interannual variations, suggesting that diatom production would experience similar fluctuations. The years 1972 and 1979 had both high-silicate utilization (ΔSiO₄) and high-nitrate utilization (ΔNO₃). During these two high-production years, the lack of available silicate appeared to limit diatom production. For 1972 and 1979, the ratio of ΔSiO₄ to ΔNO₃ was 1.4 and 2.5, respectively. The 1979 ratio supports the conclusion that high-nutrient utilization in the mixed layer is dominated by diatoms. The 1972 ratio is consistent with the average value calculated from the time-series data and suggests that the high-nutrient utilization resulted from a combination of diatom and non-siliceous production. A time series of particle fluxes (1980–1994) collected in deep-moored sediment traps at OSP showed that the averaged monthly flux ratio of opal to particulate organic nitrogen (PON) remained constant except during two high-PON flux periods. These two periods occurred during the late summers of 1983 and 1993 when the PON flux was more than double the average. During these two high-PON flux periods a significant decrease in the opal to PON flux ratio occurred. If these high-PON fluxes were caused by increased diatom production, the composition and preservation of nitrogen in the sinking organic matter also must increase during these diatom blooms. In 1983, the high-PON flux period was associated with a high-opal flux but not in 1993. It appears that the two high-PON periods were driven by two different processes. In 1983, the high-PON and opal fluxes are consistent with increased diatom production, while in 1993, the high-PON flux and average opal flux suggest increased non-diatom production. The switch between high production of diatoms and high production by non-diatoms is consistent with the silicate and nitrate utilization, which also had years with both high silicate and nitrate utilization and years with only high-nitrate utilization.     

The Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (Canada) in the NE subarctic Pacific

This volume of DSR II is dedicated to the Canadian Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) in the NE subarctic Pacific. This oceanic province is one of three High Nitrate Low Chlorophyll (HNLC) regions in the world oceans. Furthermore, this region is characterised by a shallow (ca. 100–120 m) permanent pycnocline during winter, which permits relatively high numbers of phytoplankton and micro-grazers to subsist over winter, which in turn strongly influences pelagic community structure. The 5-year field study encompassed two phases – phase 1 (seven voyages between September 1992 and May 1995), and the intensive phase 2 (six voyages between September 1995 and June 1997). Each voyage transected line P – from the coastal ocean westward to the open ocean. In addition to the JGOFS study, this volume also includes analyses of long time-series (>20 yr) data sets from Ocean Station Papa (OSP; 50°N 145°W) and other stations in the coastal and open ocean.     

Comparison of factors controlling phytoplankton productivity in the NE and NW subarctic Pacific gyres

The subarctic North Pacific is one of the three major high nitrate low chlorophyll (HNLC) regions of the world. The two gyres, the NE and the NW subarctic Pacific gyres dominate this region; the NE subarctic Pacific gyre is also known as the Alaska Gyre. The NE subarctic Pacific has one of the longest time series of any open ocean station, primarily as a result of the biological sampling that began in 1956 on the weathership stationed at Stn P (50°N, 145°W; also known as Ocean Station Papa (OSP)). Sampling along Line P, a transect from the coast (south end of Vancouver Island) out to Stn P has provided valuable information on how various parameters change along this coastal to open ocean gradient. The NW subarctic Pacific gyre has been less well studied than the NE gyre. This review focuses mainly on the NE gyre because of the large and long term data set available, but makes a brief comparison with the NW gyre. The NE gyre has saturating NO₃ concentrations all year (winter = about 16 μM and summer = about 8 μM), constantly very low chlorophyll (chl) (usually <0.5 mg m⁻³) which is dominated by small cells (<5 μm). Primary productivity is low (about 300–600 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ and varies little (2 times) seasonally. Annual primary productivity is 3 to 4 times higher than earlier estimates ranging from 140 to 215 g C m⁻² y⁻¹. Iron limits the utilization of nitrate and hence the primary productivity of large cells (especially diatoms) except in the winter when iron and light may be co-limiting. There are observations of episodic increases in chl above 1 mg m⁻³, suggesting episodic iron inputs, most likely from Asian dust in the spring/early summer, but possibly from horizontal advection from the Alaskan Gyre in summer/early fall. The small cells normally dominate the phytoplankton biomass and productivity, and utilize the ammonium produced by the micrograzers. They do not appear to be Fe-limited, but are controlled by microzooplankton grazers. The NW Subarctic Gyre has higher nutrient concentrations and a shallower summer mixed depth and photic zone than Stn P in the NE gyre. Chl concentrations tend to be higher (0.5 to 1.5 μg L⁻¹) than Stn P, but primary productivity in the summer is similar to Stn P (600 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹). There are no seasonal data from this gyre. Iron enrichment experiments in October, resulted in an increase in chl (mainly the centric diatom Thalassiosira sp.) and a draw down of nitrate, suggesting that large phytoplankton are Fe-limited, similar to Stn P.     

Mesozooplankton grazing manipulations during in vitro iron enrichment studies in the NE subarctic Pacific

IronEx I demonstrated a rapid and marked response by grazers to Fe-induced increases in phytoplankton stocks, which was thought to be due, in part, to arrested vertical migration by mesozooplankton. These observations prompted an investigation of the relative roles of Fe enrichment and grazing pressure in controlling the magnitude of phytoplankton stocks in the NE subarctic Pacific. The grazing impact of increased mesozooplankton abundance in response to a localised Fe-induced enhancement of algal biomass was simulated by performing in vitro (6 d) grazer perturbation experiments in May 1994 and September 1995 at Ocean Station Papa (OSP), when pelagic mesozooplankton stocks are usually at their annual maximum and submaximal, respectively. Manipulations were designed to increase mesozooplankton stocks in 25L carboys after various lag-times corresponding to grazing pressure greater or equal to that in situ, and to monitor changes in chlorophyll a levels as a proxy for grazing pressure. At the onset of the experiments, in vitro mesozooplankton abundances were comparable to those in situ. Despite the addition of mesozooplankton to selected Fe-enriched carboys in May after 24, 48 and 72 h, corresponding to ca. two-fold increases in their abundances, chlorophyll a increased to ca. 2 μg l⁻¹ in all treatments. In September, chlorophyll a levels increased five-fold to 2 μg l⁻¹ after 4 days – but little thereafter – in the presence of up to ten-fold higher animal abundances (added at t=0) than observed in situ. Thus, Fe-induced increases in diatom growth rates were sufficiently high to escape both initial and additional grazing pressure. If and when Fe is supplied to this region, it is unlikely that mesozooplankton can respond and graze down the resulting elevated algal abundance. Theoretical calculations, based on algal growth and grazing rate data from May in this study, suggested that a greater than five-fold increase in mesozooplankton abundance, after a 48-h lag, is required to exert sufficient grazing pressure to prevent Fe-mediated increases in algal biomass. These findings are discussed in relation to the scale dependency of such events, and the pelagic ecology of other High Nitrate Low Chlorophyll regions.     

Seasonal changes in the mesozooplankton biomass and community structure in subarctic and subtropical time-series stations in the western North Pacific

Seasonal changes in mesozooplankton biomass and their community structures were observed at time-series stations K2 (subarctic) and S1 (subtropical) in the western North Pacific Ocean. At K2, the maximum biomass was observed during the spring when primary productivity was still low. The annual mean biomasses in the euphotic and 200- to 1000-m layers were 1.39 (day) and 2.49 (night) g C m^?2 and 4.00 (day) and 3.63 (night) g C m^?2, respectively. Mesozooplankton vertical distribution was bimodal and mesopelagic peak was observed in a 200- to 300-m layer; it mainly comprised dormant copepods. Copepods predominated in most sampling layers, but euphausiids were dominant at the surface during the night. At S1, the maximum biomass was observed during the spring and the peak timing of biomass followed those of chlorophyll a and primary productivity. The annual mean biomasses in the euphotic and 200- to 1000-m layers were 0.10 (day) and 0.21 (night) g C m^?2 and 0.47 (day) and 0.26 (night) g C m^?2, respectively. Copepods were dominant in most sampling layers, but their mean proportion was lower than that in K2. Mesozooplankton community characteristics at both sites were compared with those at other time-series stations in the North Pacific and with each other. The annual mean primary productivities and sinking POC fluxes were equivalent at both sites; however, mesozooplankton biomasses were higher at K2 than at S1. The difference of biomasses was probably caused by differences of individual carbon losses, population turnover rates, and trophic structures of communities between the two sites.     

Co-limitation of phytoplankton growth by light and Fe during winter in the NE subarctic Pacific Ocean

Phytoplankton acclimate to low irradiance by increasing their cellular demand for Fe, to allow synthesis of additional light-harvesting pigments and Fe-containing redox proteins involved in photosynthesis. In the open NE subarctic Pacific, Fe concentrations limit primary productivity and irradiances may be suboptimal, particularly during winter. Phytoplankton thus may be unable to fulfill their extra Fe requirements for growth under these low-light conditions and become effectively co-limited. We tested this hypothesis by manipulating Fe and light in in vitro experiments at OSP (Ocean Station PAPA, 50°N 145°W) during winter 1997. The results show that metabolic rates, growth, and photosynthetic parameters of phytoplankton are enhanced in winter by increasing either irradiance or Fe. The greatest response occurs when Fe and light are amended concomitantly, confirming that the community is indeed co-limited by both resources. Analysis of environmental conditions (i.e. incident irradiance, mixed layer depth and Fe concentrations) in winter at OSP reveals that they are similar to those observed in the austral spring and fall at three sites in the Southern Ocean. Extrapolating our experimental field results to the Southern Ocean illustrates that co-limitation by light and Fe also may play an important role in regulating phytoplankton growth in this region.     

Seasonal and interannual variability in phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics along Line P in the NE subarctic Pacific

We analysed mixed-layer seasonal and interannual variability in phytoplankton biomass and macronutrient (NO₃ and Si(OH)₄) concentrations from three decades of observations, and nitrogen uptake rates from the 1990s along Line P in the NE subarctic Pacific. Chlorophyll a concentrations near 0.35 mg m⁻³ were observed year-round along Line P except at the nearshore station (P4) where chlorophyll a concentrations in spring were on average 2.4 times the winter values. In contrast, the temporal variability in carbon-to-chlorophyll ratios at the two main end members of Line P (P4 and OSP) was high. Large seasonal and interannual variability in NO₃ and Si(OH)₄ concentration were observed along Line P. Highest upper mixed-layer (top 15 m) nutrient concentrations occurred on the continental shelf in late summer and early fall due to seasonal coastal upwelling. Beyond the shelf, maximum nutrient concentrations increased gradually offshore, and were highest in late winter and early spring due to mixing by winter storms. Interannual variations in upper mixed-layer nutrient concentrations beyond the shelf (>128°W) were correlated with E-W winds and the PDO since 1988 but were not correlated with either climate index between 1973 and 1981. Despite differences in nutrient concentration, nutrient utilization (ΔNO₃ and ΔSi(OH)₄) during the growing season were about 7.5 μM at all offshore stations. Variations in ΔNO₃ were correlated with those of ΔSi(OH)₄. The annual cycle of absolute NO₃ uptake (ρNO₃) and NH₄ uptake (ρNH₄) rates by phytoplankton in the upper mixed-layer showed a weak increasing trend from winter to spring/summer for the period 1992-1997. Rates were more variable at the nearshore station (P4). Rates of ρNO₃ were low along the entire line despite abundant NO₃ and low iron (Fe), at the offshore portion of Line P and sufficient Fe at the nearshore station (P4). As a result, new production contributed on average to only 32 ± 15% of the total nitrogen (N) uptake along Line P. NO₃ utilization in the NE subarctic Pacific is probably controlled by a combination of environmental variables, including Fe, light and ambient NH₄ levels. Elevated ambient NH₄ concentrations seem to decrease the rates of new production (and f-ratios) in surface waters of the oceanic subarctic NE Pacific. Contrary to expectation, phytoplankton biomass, nutrient utilization (ΔNO₃ and ΔSi(OH)₄), and nitrogen uptake (ρNO₃ + ρNH₄) varied relatively little along Line P, despite significant differences in the factors controlling phytoplankton composition assemblages and production. Future studies would benefit from including other variables, especially light limitation, to improve our understanding of the seasonal and interannual variability in phytoplankton biomass and nutrients in this region.     

Temporal variations in diatom abundance and downward vertical flux in the oligotrophic North Pacific gyre

The abundance of diatoms in the water column and the downward vertical flux of diatom cells from the euphotic zone were investigated during a time series of 11 monthly cruises (June 1994–July 1995) to Station ALOHA (22°45′N, 158°00′W) as one component of the Hawaii Ocean Time-series (HOT) Program. The diatom community was studied using light microscopy and by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) pigment analyses. Distinct diatom assemblages were found in the mixed-layer and in the Deep Chlorophyll Maximum Layer (DCML). Diatom cell abundances in the water column were generally low during the year, except in July 1994, when they increased in the upper euphotic layer. Two lightly silicified species (Hemiaulus hauckii [Grunow] and Mastogloia woodiana [Taylor]) were mainly responsible for this increase. Other less abundant diatom species present in the mixed-layer assemblage showed a similar temporal pattern. H. hauckii contained Richelia-type endosymbionts with heterocysts and was presumably able to fix dinitrogen. Both species of diatoms also were an important component of the vertical diatom flux out of the euphotic zone, which, likewise, was highest in July 1994. During this maximum export period, aggregates of these two species were collected in the drifting sediment traps. In the DCML, diatom abundances and export were low throughout the year, with the exception of one genus (Pseudonitzschia) for which a slight concentration increase was observed in spring. Reflecting the observed diatom cell abundance and vertical flux, fucoxanthin concentrations (a pigment marker for diatoms) did not indicate any significant increase of diatom pigment biomass in the DCML during the year. Ratios of diadinoxanthin to chromophyte pigments suggested that the phytoplankton cells sinking out of the euphotic zone in midsummer originated from the mixed-layer. The attenuation of the pigment vertical fluxes with depth was significantly lower for fucoxanthin, indicating a generally slower decay of diatom flux with depth compared with other phytoplankton groups. Our findings suggest that, in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean, summer conditions seem to favor the development of selected species of diatoms in the mixed-layer and that these assemblages appear to be more important with regard to export production than those in the DCML.     

Modelling the response of the planktonic food web to iron fertilization and warming in the NE subarctic Pacific

A one-dimensional ecosystem model with two explicit size classes of phytoplankton was developed for the NE subarctic Pacific to investigate variations in the export of organic particles to the ocean interior due to potential changes in the environment. Specifically, the responses of the planktonic ecosystem to permanent removal of iron limitation and to warming (of 2 and 5 °C) were explored. The ecosystem model consists of five components (small and large phytoplankton, microzooplankton, detritus and nitrogen), and includes grazing by mesozooplankton that varies in time according to long-term observations at Ocean Station Papa (OSP). The model addresses the role of iron limitation on phytoplankton growth and includes temperature dependence of physiological rates. The ecosystem model was forced with annual wind and solar heating from OSP. The model best reproduced the low chlorophyll high nitrate conditions of the NE subarctic Pacific when both small and large phytoplankton were limited by iron such that their maximum specific growth rate was reduced by 10 and 70%, respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed that model results depended on the value of the iron limitation parameter of large phytoplankton (L_Fe-L) and the grazing parameters of micro- and mesozooplankton. To explore the effect of iron limitation, simulations were carried out varying the iron limitation parameters while maintaining the nitrogen flux at the base of the model constant and the grazing pressure by mesozooplankton unchanged. In the warming case, simulations were carried out increasing ocean temperatures by 2° and 5 °C applied only to the ecological components, the flux of nitrate at the base of the model was increased to obtain a steady annual cycle, and grazing by mesozooplankton remained constant. When compared with the standard case, model simulations indicated that both permanent removal of iron limitation and warming cause changes in food web structure and the carbon cycle. The response was more dramatic in the iron-replete case where the phytoplankton community structure in spring changed from one dominated by pico- and nanoplankton to one dominated by large phytoplankton, and primary production increased until it consumed all the external nutrient (N) supply to the upper layer. However, reducing iron deficiency actually led to lower annual primary production due to a decrease in the regeneration of nitrogen in the euphotic zone. These changes in food web structure influenced the magnitude, composition and seasonal cycle of sinking particles.     

Impact of mesoscale eddies on particulate organic carbon flux in the western subarctic North Pacific

The mechanism that controls particulate organic carbon (POC) flux in the deep sea differs depending on the season and sea. The POC produced in the western subarctic North Pacific are known to be transported to the deep sea efficiently, but the direct relationship between the POC flux and physical processes is still unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effect of mesoscale eddies on POC flux in the western subarctic North Pacific. The seasonal and interannual variabilities of POC flux were investigated using data from a time-series sediment trap deployed at 4810 m at station K2 (47°N, 160°E) from 2005 to 2018. POC flux was high during May–November, appearing to reflect spring and fall blooms at the ocean surface. POC flux also showed interannual variability, with twelve peaks that were mostly affected by enhanced bloom just before the peak. Nine peaks of the twelve peaks were affected by mesoscale eddies, which enhanced bloom around K2 by extending the area with a high chlorophyll-a concentration along the coastal region into the offshore region, suggesting that mesoscale eddies strongly impact the interannual variability of POC flux at K2.

     

Silicon flux and distribution of biogenic silica in deep-sea sediments in the western North Pacific Ocean

We investigated biogenic silica, several biological components, and silicate in pore-water in the abyssal sediment to determine silicon flux of western North Pacific during several cruises. The surficial sediment biogenic silica content was high at high latitudes with the boundary running along the Kuroshio Extension, and maximum values (exceeding 20%) were found in the Oyashio region. In the subtropical region to the south, most stations showed less than 5% biogenic silica content. This distribution pattern reflected primary production and ocean currents in the surface layer very well. Pore-water samples were collected from 4 stations along the east coast of Japan. The highest asymptotic silicic acid concentration (670 μmol L^?1) in pore-water was observed at the junction of Kuroshio and Oyashio, followed by samples from the Oyashio region. It is at the southern station that the lowest value (450 μmol L^?1) was observed, and the primary production is low under the influence of Kuroshio there. The diffusive flux followed the same geographic trend as the asymptotic silicic acid concentrations did, ranging 77–389 mmol m^?2 yr ^?1. Multiple sampling of pore-water was conducted throughout the year at one station at high latitude. The average annual biogenic silica rain flux observed using sediment traps was 373 mmol m^?2 yr^?1; the diffusive flux and burial flux at the sediment–water interface were 305 and 9 mmol m^?2 yr^?1, respectively. We concluded that most of the settling silica particles dissolved and diffused at the sediment–water interface and approximately 3% only were preserved in this area. In addition, the obvious time lag observed between the peak rain flux and the maximum diffusive flux suggested that primary production in the surface layer has a great influence on the sedimentation environment of abyssal western North Pacific. These transitions of Si flux at the sediment–water interface were considerably greater in northwestern North Pacific than in southwestern North Pacific. In addition, a station in the Philippine Sea indicated high biogenic silica content because of Ethmodiscus ooze, which are scattered randomly on the sea floor in the subtropical region.     

Downward export of carbon by diel migrant mesozooplankton in the central equatorial Pacific

Using data collected during cruises of the JGOFS equatorial Pacific Study in March/April and October of 1992 at the equator (140°W), we examine the downward transport of carbon by three size classes of die] migrant mesozooplankton (200–500 gm, 500–1000 μm and 1000–2000 gm). In addition to respiratory carbon flux, we consider the flux due to mortality of migrators below the euphotic zone. Diel migrant mesozooplankton biomass was estimated from the difference between nighttime and daytime biomass within the euphotic zone. Except for a four-day period early in the March/April cruise, mesozooplankton nighttime biomass was significantly larger than daytime biomass within the euphotic zone during both cruises. We estimate that the downward flux of carbon from the euphotic zone due to mesozooplankton die] vertical migrators was an average of 0.6 mmol Cm⁻² d⁻¹ and 1.1 mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹ during the March/April and October cruises, respectively. Addition of this flux to the gravitational particle sinking flux estimated from²³⁴Th measurements during the same period results in a 31 % increase in the carbon export flux from the euphotic zone in the equatorial Pacific during the March/April cruise and a 44% increase in the October cruise. The migratory flux is strongly dependent on whether feeding takes place below the euphoric zone, the length of time migrators spend in the deep waters, and the mortality rate of migrators.