Benthic organic carbon flux and oxygen penetration reflect different plankton provinces in the Southern Ocean

For the investigation of organic carbon fluxes reaching the seafloor, oxygen microprofiles were measured at 145 sites in different sub-regions of the Southern Ocean. At 11 sites, an in situ oxygen microprofiler was deployed for the measurement of oxygen profiles and the calculation of organic carbon fluxes. At four sites, both in situ and ex situ data were determined for high latitudes. Based on this data set as well as on previous published data, a relationship was established for the estimation of fluxes derived by ex situ measured O₂ profiles. The fluxes of labile organic matter range from 0.5 to 37.1 mg C m^?2 d^?1. The high values determined by in situ measurements were observed in the Polar Front region (water depth of more than 4290 m) and are comparable to organic matter fluxes observed for high-productivity, upwelling areas like off West Africa. The oxygen penetration depth, which reflects the long-term organic matter flux to the sediment, was correlated with assemblages of key diatom species. In the Scotia Sea (～3000 m water depth), oxygen penetration depths of less than 15 cm were observed, indicating high benthic organic carbon fluxes. In contrast, the oxic zone extends down to several decimeters in abyssal sediments of the Weddell Sea and the southeastern South Atlantic. The regional pattern of organic carbon fluxes derived from microsensor data suggests that episodic and seasonal sedimentation pulses are important for the carbon supply to the seafloor of the deep Southern Ocean.     

赤道印度洋中部沉降颗粒物的季节变化特征及调控机制研究

基于2020年1—12月在赤道印度洋中部海域获取的沉积物捕获器时间序列样品,分析了沉降颗粒物与颗粒有机碳（particulate organic carbon, POC）通量的季节变化特征,并结合卫星遥感、数值模式及再分析数据探究上层物理过程对生物泵输出通量的调控作用。结果表明,2020年赤道印度洋中部海域的沉降颗粒物总通量与颗粒有机碳通量的变化范围分别为4.57~35.75 mg/(m2·d)\[(18.94±10.18) mg/(m2·d)\]和0.27~2.97 mg/(m2·d)\[(1.09±0.66) mg/(m2·d)\],两者均呈现显著的季节变化特征。总体上,1—3月、6月和9—11月呈现出3个显著的高通量事件。通过分析发现混合层深度变化与营养盐跃层波动的耦合作用可能是调控中深层通量变化的主要原因。与此同时,西南季风流（Southwest Monsoon Current, SMC）与赤道Wyrtki急流生消也可能通过改变温跃层或营养盐跃层深度对沉降颗粒物通量强度和季节变化起调控作用。     

Particle flux characterisation and sedimentation patterns of protistan plankton during the iron fertilisation experiment LOHAFEX in the Southern Ocean

The taxonomic composition and types of particles comprising the downward particle flux were examined during the mesoscale artificial iron fertilisation experiment LOHAFEX. The experiment was conducted in low-silicate waters of the Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean during austral summer (January–March 2009), and induced a bloom dominated by small flagellates. Downward particle flux was low throughout the experiment, and not enhanced by addition of iron; neutrally buoyant sediment traps contained mostly faecal pellets and faecal material apparently reprocessed by mesozooplankton. TEP fluxes were low, ≤5 mg GX eq. m⁻² d⁻¹, and a few phytodetrital aggregates were found in the sediment traps. Only a few per cent of the POC flux was found in the traps consisting of intact protist plankton, although remains of taxa with hard body parts (diatoms, tintinnids, thecate dinoflagellates and foraminifera) were numerous, far more so than intact specimens of these taxa. Nevertheless, many small flagellates and coccoid cells, belonging to the pico- and nanoplankton, were found in the traps, and these small, soft-bodied cells probably contributed the majority of downward POC flux via mesozooplankton grazing and faecal pellet export. TEP likely played an important role by aggregating these small cells, and making them more readily available to mesozooplankton grazers.     

Pteropods in Southern Ocean ecosystems

To date, little research has been carried out on pelagic gastropod molluscs (pteropods) in Southern Ocean ecosystems. However, recent predictions are that, due to acidification resulting from a business as usual approach to CO₂ emissions (IS92a), Southern Ocean surface waters may begin to become uninhabitable for aragonite shelled thecosome pteropods by 2050. To gain insight into the potential impact that this would have on Southern Ocean ecosystems, we have here synthesized available data on pteropod distributions and densities, assessed current knowledge of pteropod ecology, and highlighted knowledge gaps and directions for future research on this zooplankton group.Six species of pteropod are typical of the Southern Ocean south of the Sub-Tropical Convergence, including the four Thecosomes Limacina helicina antarctica, Limacina retroversa australis, Clio pyramidata, and Clio piatkowskii, and two Gymnosomes Clione limacina antarctica and Spongiobranchaea australis. Limacina retroversa australis dominated pteropod densities north of the Polar Front (PF), averaging 60 ind m⁻³ (max = 800 ind m⁻³) and 11% of total zooplankton at the Prince Edward Islands. South of the PF L. helicina antarctica predominated, averaging 165 ind m⁻³ (max = 2681 ind m⁻³) and up to >35% of total zooplankton at South Georgia, and up to 1397 ind m⁻³ and 63% of total zooplankton in the Ross Sea. Combined pteropods contributed <5% to total zooplankton in the Lazarev Sea, but 15% (max = 93%) to macrozooplankton in the East Antarctic. In addition to regional density distributions we have synthesized data on vertical distributions, seasonal cycles, and inter-annual density variation.Trophically, gymnosome are specialist predators on thecosomes, while thecosomes are considered predominantly herbivorous, capturing food with a mucous web. The ingestion rates of L. retroversa australis are in the upper range for sub-Antarctic mesozooplankton (31.2-4196.9 ng pig ind⁻¹ d⁻¹), while those of L. helicina antarctica and C. pyramidata are in the upper range for all Southern Ocean zooplankton, in the latter species reaching 27,757 ng pig ind⁻¹ d⁻¹ and >40% of community grazing impact. Further research is required to quantify diet selectivity, the effect of phytoplankton composition on growth and reproductive success, and the role of carnivory in thecosomes.Life histories are a significant knowledge gap for Southern Ocean pteropods, a single study having been completed for L. retroversa australis, making population studies a priority for this group. Pteropods appear to be important in biogeochemical cycling, thecosome shells contributing >50% to carbonate flux in the deep ocean south of the PF. Pteropods may also contribute significantly to organic carbon flux through the production of fast sinking faecal pellets and mucous flocs, and rapid sinking of dead animals ballasted by their aragonite shells. Quantification of these contributions requires data on mucous web production rates, egestion rates, assimilation efficiencies, metabolic rates, and faecal pellet morphology for application to sediment trap studies.Based on the available data, pteropods are regionally significant components of the Southern Ocean pelagic ecosystem. However, there is an urgent need for focused research on this group in order to quantify how a decline in pteropod densities may impact on Southern Ocean ecosystems.     

Organic complexation of iron in the Southern Ocean

The chemical speciation of iron was determined in the Southern Ocean along a transect from 48 to 70°S at 20°E. Dissolved iron concentrations were low at 0.1–0.6 nM, with average concentrations of 0.25±0.13 nM. Organic iron complexing ligands were found to occur in excess of the dissolved iron concentration at 0.72±0.23 nM (equivalent to an excess of 0.5 nM), with a complex stability of log K_FeL′=22.1±0.5 (on the basis of Fe³⁺ and L′). Ligand concentrations were higher in the upper water column (top 200 m) suggesting in situ production by microorganisms, and less at the surface consistent with photochemical breakdown. Our data are consistent with the presence of stable organic iron-complexing ligands in deep global ocean waters at a background level of ∼0.7 nM. It has been suggested that this might help stabilise iron at levels of ∼0.7 nM in deep ocean waters. However, much lower iron concentrations in the waters of the Southern Ocean suggest that these ligands do not prevent the removal of iron (by scavenging or biological uptake) to well below the concentration of these ligands. Scavenging reactions are probably inhibited by such ligand competition, so it is likely that biological uptake is the chief cause for the further removal of iron to these low levels in waters that suffer from very low iron inputs.     

Ocean Model Simulation of Southern Indian Ocean Surface Currents

The dynamic importance of the Southern Indian Ocean (SIO) lies in the fact that it connects the three major world oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Modeling study has been used to understand the circulation pattern of this very important region. Simulation of SIO (10°N–60°S and 30°E–120°E) is performed with z-coordinate Ocean General Circulation Model (OGCM) viz; MOM3.0 and the results have been compared with observed ship drift data. It is found that except near coastal boundaries and in equatorial region, the simulated current reproduce most well known current pattern such as Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), South Equatorial Current (SEC) etc. and bears a resemblance to that of the observed data; however the magnitude of the surface current is weaker in model than the observed data, which may be due to deficiency in the forcing field and boundary condition and problem with observed data. The annual mean wind stress curl computed over the oceanic domain reveals about ACC and its similar importance. The way in which the ocean responds to the windstress and vertically integrated transport using model output is fascinating and rather good.     

Ocean Model Simulation of Southern Indian Ocean Surface Currents

The dynamic importance of the Southern Indian Ocean (SIO) lies in the fact that it connects the three major world oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Modeling study has been used to understand the circulation pattern of this very important region. Simulation of SIO (10°N-60°S and 30°E-120°E) is performed with z-coordinate Ocean General Circulation Model (OGCM) viz; MOM3.0 and the results have been compared with observed ship drift data. It is found that except near coastal boundaries and in equatorial region, the simulated current reproduce most well known current pattern such as Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), South Equatorial Current (SEC) etc. and bears a resemblance to that of the observed data; however the magnitude of the surface current is weaker in model than the observed data, which may be due to deficiency in the forcing field and boundary condition and problem with observed data. The annual mean wind stress curl computed over the oceanic domain reveals about ACC and its similar importance. The way in which the ocean responds to the windstress and vertically integrated transport using model output is fascinating and rather good.     

Hydrocarbon gas in sediment of the Southern Pacific Ocean

Methane, ethane, ethene, propane, and propene are common hydrocarbon gases in near-surface sediment from offshore areas in the southern Pacific Ocean near Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, New Zealand, and Antarctica. Sea floor sites for sampling of sediment were selected on the basis of anomalies in marine seismic records, and the samples were intentionally biased toward finding possible thermogenic hydrocarbon gases. In none of the areas, however, were thermogenic hydrocarbons clearly identified. The hydrocarbon gases that were found appear to be mainly the products ofin situ microbial processes.     

北冰洋上层双扩散阶梯热通量的分析

北冰洋中,低温低盐的上层水与高温高盐的大西洋水之间,广泛存在着稳定的双扩散阶梯。基于锚定剖面仪、冰基剖面仪和微结构剖面仪的数据,对温盐廓线中的阶梯进行研究,分析阶梯的热通量。固定跟踪了锚定剖面仪的3个阶梯,研究阶梯参数随时间的变化。发现由经验公式得出的上下两界面的热通量差,与混合层内热量的变化有较好的相关性。利用微结构剖面仪数据,计算阶梯界面通过分子热传导输送的热通量。当选取最大位温梯度时,算出的传导热通量与经验公式算出的热通量接近。因此,实验室研究得到的热通量经验公式,可以用于计算北冰洋双扩散阶梯的热通量。     

始新世中-晚期南大洋的重大变暖事件

始新世中一晚期(49～34Ma)是全球从温室向冰期过渡的重要时期。始新世早期(53～49Ma)的气候持续变暖,紧随其后的是始新世中一晚期的深海变冷(7℃);但是,除了始新世一渐新世界限附近的全球气候变迁的最后一步之外,很少有高分辨率的深海同位素记录可以证明始新世中一晚期变冷的详细过程。所以还不清楚这次变迁是逐渐的还是一步到位的,气候是稳定的还是不稳定的。     

MedFlux: Investigations of particle flux in the Twilight Zone

The MedFlux project was devised to determine and model relationships between organic matter and mineral ballasts of sinking particulate matter in the ocean. Specifically we investigated the ballast ratio hypothesis, tested various commonly used sampling and modeling techniques, and developed new technologies that would allow better characterization of particle biogeochemistry. Here we describe the rationale for the project, the biogeochemical provenance of the DYFAMED site, the international support structure, and highlights from the papers published here. Additional MedFlux papers can be accessed at the MedFlux web site (http://msrc.sunysb.edu/MedFlux/).     

南大洋气旋气候与变化特征

A new climatology of cyclones in the Southern Ocean is generated by applying an automated cyclone detection and tracking algorithm(developed by Hodges at the Reading University) for an improved and relatively highresolution European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts atmospheric reanalysis during 1979–2013.A validation shows that identified cyclone tracks are in good agreement with a available analyzed cyclone product.The climatological characteristics of the Southern Ocean cyclones are then analyzed,including track,number,density,intensity,deepening rate and explosive events.An analysis shows that the number of cyclones in the Southern Ocean has increased for 1979–2013,but only statistically significant in summer.Coincident with the circumpolar trough,a single high-density band of cyclones is observed in 55°–67°S,and cyclone density has generally increased in north of this band for 1979–2013,except summer.The intensity of up to 70% cyclones in the Southern Ocean is less than 980 h Pa,and only a few cyclones with pressure less than 920 h Pa are detected for1979–2013.Further analysis shows that a high frequency of explosive cyclones is located in the band of 45°–55°S,and the Atlantic Ocean sector has much higher frequent occurrence of the explosive cyclones than that in the Pacific Ocean sector.Additionally,the relationship between cyclone activities in the Southern Ocean and the Southern Annular Mode is discussed.     

南大洋古环流研究方法综述

南大洋海洋环流系统由南极底层水AABW、南极绕极流ACC、南极表层水AASW、绕极深层水CDW组成,它们在全球气候调节中扮演重要角色。随着科考技术的进步,有关南大洋古环流研究越来越多,研究主要集中在温度、盐度、流向和影响作用等方面。研究侧重内容不同所采取的手段和方法也有差别,南大洋古环流研究方法包括古生物法、地球化学法、数值模拟、沉积法、实测资料等。本文就这些研究方法做一简单综述,以期强调南大洋在全球大洋历史中的作用。     

The Southern Annular Mode and opposite-phased Basin Mode of the Southern Ocean circulation

Over the Southern Ocean the dominant modes of the atmospheric field are known as the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) or Antarctic Oscillation, and the Pacific South American (PSA) pattern. Statistical analysis of sea surface wind (SSW) from satellite observation revealed two leading modes of SAM-like and PSA patterns. In the high latitudes, the SAM-like pattern of the SSW had a large amplitude over the Bellingshausen Basin and Australian-Antarctic Basin, with opposite phase between the two basins. On the intraseasonal time scale, large-scale sea surface height (SSH) also had notable variability, showing a basin-scale anti-phase mode over the two basins. To explain the response of oceanic variations to these atmospheric modes, we analyzed the relationship between the dominant modes of wind stress and large-scale SSH on the intraseasonal time scale. The SAM-like pattern of wind stress was correlated with the SSH variation over the two basins. The SSH basin mode was most simply explained by a simple barotropic response to the SAM-like mode of wind stress, with the curl of opposite phase between the two basins. We conclude that the zonal asymmetry of the wind field of the SAM plays an important role in driving the antiphase SSH basin modes.     

Development of the Southern Ocean Continuous Plankton Recorder survey

The Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Type I was first used in Antarctic waters during the 1925–1927 Discovery Expedition, and has been used successfully for 70 years to monitor plankton in the North Sea and North Atlantic Ocean. Sixty-five years later the CPR as a Type II version returned to Antarctic waters when the Australian Antarctic Division initiated a survey of the Southern Ocean on RSV Aurora Australis south of Australia and west to Mawson. The objectives are to study regional, seasonal, interannual and long-term variability in zooplankton abundance, species composition and community patterns, as well as the annual abundance and distribution of krill larvae. The survey covers a large area from 60°E to 160°E, and south from about 48°S to the Antarctic coast—an area of more than 14 million km². Tows are conducted throughout the shipping season, normally September to April, but occasionally as early as July (midwinter). The large areal and temporal scale means that it is difficult to separate temporal and geographical variation in the data. Hence, CPRs are now also towed on the Japanese icebreaker Shirase in collaboration with the Japanese Antarctic programme. Shirase has a fixed route and time schedule, travelling south on 110°E in early December and north on 150°E in mid-March each year, and will serve as an important temporal reference for measuring long-term interannual variability and to help interpret the Australian data. Since 1991, over 90 tows have been made, providing over 36,000 nautical miles of records. The most successful seasons to date have been the 1997/1998, 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 austral summers with 20, 31 and 26 tows, respectively. The 1999/2000 season included a unique, nearly simultaneous three-ship crossing of the Southern Ocean along 25° 30’E, 110°E and 157°E. Typical CPR tows show very high abundance of zooplankton in the uppermost 20 m of the permanently open ocean zone between the sea-ice zone and the Sub-Antarctic Front; this is an area thought to be oligotrophic. Appendicularians and small calanoid and cyclopoid copepods dominate the plankton. By comparison the surface waters of the sea-ice zone have low species diversity and abundances. Zooplankton data, and hence distribution patterns, can be time- and geo-coded to GPS data and environmental data collected by the ships’ underway monitoring system (e.g. fluorescence, water temperature, salinity, and meteorological data).     

Eddy diffusivity and coherent mesoscale eddy analysis in the Southern Ocean

The spatial distribution of eddy diffusivity, basic characteristics of coherent mesoscale eddies and their relationship are analyzed from numerical model outputs in the Southern Ocean. Mesoscale fluctuation information is obtained by a temporal-spatial filtering method, and the eddy diffusivity is calculated using a linear regression analysis between isoneutral thickness flux and large-scale isoneutral thickness gradient. The eddy diffusivity is on the order of O (103 m2/s) with a significant spatial variation, and it is larger in the area with strong coherent mesoscale eddy activity. The mesoscale eddies are mainly located in the upper ocean layer, with the average intensity no larger than 0.2. The mean radius of the coherent mesoscale cyclonic (anticyclonic) eddy gradually decays from (121.2±10.4) km ((117.8±9.6) km) at 30°S to (43.9±5.3) km ((44.7±4.9) km) at 65°S. Their vertical penetration depths (lifespans) are deeper (longer) between the northern side of the Subpolar Antarctic Front and 48°S. The normalized eddy diffusivity and coherent mesoscale eddy activity show a significant positive correlation, indicating that coherent mesoscale eddy plays an important role in eddy diffusivity.