scholarly journals Carbon export in the naturally iron-fertilized Kerguelen area of the Southern Ocean based on the <sup>234</sup>Th approach

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3831-3848 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Planchon ◽  
D. Ballas ◽  
A.-J. Cavagna ◽  
A. R. Bowie ◽  
D. Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Flux ◽  
Reference Station ◽  
Kerguelen Plateau ◽  
Carbon Export ◽  
Central Plateau ◽  
Austral Spring ◽  
Export Production ◽  
Sinking Particles ◽  
Poc Export ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. This study examined upper-ocean particulate organic carbon (POC) export using the 234Th approach as part of the second KErguelen Ocean and Plateau compared Study expedition (KEOPS2). Our aim was to characterize the spatial and the temporal variability of POC export during austral spring (October–November 2011) in the Fe-fertilized area of the Kerguelen Plateau region. POC export fluxes were estimated at high productivity sites over and downstream of the plateau and compared to a high-nutrient low-chlorophyll (HNLC) area upstream of the plateau in order to assess the impact of iron-induced productivity on the vertical export of carbon. Deficits in 234Th activities were observed at all stations in surface waters, indicating early scavenging by particles in austral spring. 234Th export was lowest at the reference station R-2 and highest in the recirculation region (E stations) where a pseudo-Lagrangian survey was conducted. In comparison 234Th export over the central plateau and north of the polar front (PF) was relatively limited throughout the survey. However, the 234Th results support that Fe fertilization increased particle export in all iron-fertilized waters. The impact was greatest in the recirculation feature (3–4 fold at 200 m depth, relative to the reference station), but more moderate over the central Kerguelen Plateau and in the northern plume of the Kerguelen bloom (~2-fold at 200 m depth). The C : Th ratio of large (>53 μm) potentially sinking particles collected via sequential filtration using in situ pumping (ISP) systems was used to convert the 234Th flux into a POC export flux. The C : Th ratios of sinking particles were highly variable (3.1 ± 0.1 to 10.5 ± 0.2 μmol dpm−1) with no clear site-related trend, despite the variety of ecosystem responses in the fertilized regions. C : Th ratios showed a decreasing trend between 100 and 200 m depth suggesting preferential carbon loss relative to 234Th possibly due to heterotrophic degradation and/or grazing activity. C : Th ratios of sinking particles sampled with drifting sediment traps in most cases showed very good agreement with ratios for particles collected via ISP deployments (>53 μm particles). Carbon export production varied between 3.5 ± 0.9 and 11.8 ± 1.3 mmol m−2 d−1 from the upper 100 m and between 1.8 ± 0.9 and 8.2 ± 0.9 mmol m−2 d−1 from the upper 200 m. The highest export production was found inside the PF meander with a range of 5.3 ± 1.0 to 11.8 ± 1.1 mmol m−2 d−1 over the 19-day survey period. The impact of Fe fertilization is highest inside the PF meander with 2.9–4.5-fold higher carbon flux at 200 m depth in comparison to the HNLC control station. The impact of Fe fertilization was significantly less over the central plateau (stations A3 and E-4W) and in the northern branch of the bloom (station F-L) with 1.6–2.0-fold higher carbon flux compared to the reference station R. Export efficiencies (ratio of export to primary production and ratio of export to new production) were particularly variable with relatively high values in the recirculation feature (6 to 27 %, respectively) and low values (1 to 5 %, respectively) over the central plateau (station A3) and north of the PF (station F-L), indicating spring biomass accumulation. Comparison with KEOPS1 results indicated that carbon export production is much lower during the onset of the bloom in austral spring than during the peak and declining phases in late summer.

scholarly journals Carbon export in the naturally iron-fertilized Kerguelen area of the Southern Ocean based on the <sup>234</sup>Th approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 15991-16032 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Planchon ◽  
D. Ballas ◽  
A.-J. Cavagna ◽  
A. R. Bowie ◽  
D. Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phytoplankton Bloom ◽  
Reference Station ◽  
Kerguelen Plateau ◽  
Carbon Export ◽  
Central Plateau ◽  
Austral Spring ◽  
Export Production ◽  
Sinking Particles ◽  
Poc Export ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The Kerguelen Plateau region in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean supports annually a large-scale phytoplankton bloom which is naturally fertilized with iron. As part of the second KErguelen Ocean and Plateau compared Study expedition (KEOPS2) in austral spring (October–November 2011), we examined upper-ocean Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) export using the 234Th approach. We aimed at characterizing the spatial and the temporal variability of POC export production at high productivity sites over and downstream the Kerguelen plateau. Export production is compared to a High Nutrient Low Chlorophyll area upstream of the plateau in order to assess the impact of iron-induced productivity on the vertical export of carbon. Deficits in 234Th activities relative to its parent nuclide 238U were observed at all stations in surface waters, indicating that scavenging by particles occurred during the early stages of the phytoplankton bloom. 234Th export was lowest at reference station R-2 (412 ± 134 dpm m–2 d–1) and highest inside a~permanent meander of the Polar Front (PF) at stations E (1995 ± 176 dpm m–2 d–1, second visit E-3) where a detailed time series was obtained as part of a~pseudo-lagrangian study. 234Th export over the central plateau was relatively limited at station A3 early (776 ± 171 dpm m–2 d–1, first visit A3-1) and late in the survey (993 ± 223 dpm m–2 d–1, second visit A3-2), but it was higher at high biomass stations TNS-8 (1372 ± 255 dpm m–2 d–1) and E-4W (1068 ± 208 dpm m–2 d–1) in waters which could be considered as derived from plateau. Limited 234Th export of 973 ± 207 dpm m–2 d–1 was also found in the northern branch of the Kerguelen bloom located downstream of the island, north of the PF (station F-L). The 234Th results support that Fe fertilization increased particle export in all iron fertilized waters. The impact was greatest in the recirculation feature (3–4 fold at 200 m depth), but more moderate over the central Kerguelen plateau and in the northern plume of the Kerguelen bloom (∼2-fold at 200 m depth). The C : Th ratio of large (> 53 μm) potentially sinking particles collected via sequential filtration using in situ pumping (ISP) systems were used to convert the 234Th flux into a POC export flux. The C : Th ratios of sinking particles were highly variable (range: 3.1 ± 0.1–10.5 ± 0.2 μmol dpm–1) with no clear site related trend, despite the variety of ecosystem responses in the fertilized regions. C : Th ratios showed a decreasing trend between 100 and 200 m depth suggesting preferential loss of carbon relative to 234Th possibly due to heterotrophic degradation and/or grazing activity. Comparison of the C : Th ratios within sinking particles obtained with the drifting sediment traps showed in most cases very good agreement to those collected via ISP deployments (> 53 μm particles). Carbon export production varied between 3.5 ± 0.9 mmol m–2 d–1 and 11.8 ± 1.3 mmol m–2 d–1 from the upper 100 m and between 1.8 ± 0.9 mmol m–2 d–1 and 8.2 ± 0.9 mmol m–2 d–1 from the upper 200 m. Highest export production was found inside the PF meander with a range of 5.4 ± 0.7 mmol m–2 d–1 to 11.8 ± 1.1 mmol m–2 d–1 at 100 m depth decreasing to 5.3 ± 1.0 mmol m–2 d–1 to 8.2 ± 0.8 mmol m–2 d–1 at 200 m depth over the 19 day survey period. The impact of Fe fertilization is highest inside the PF meander with 2.9- up to 4.5-fold higher carbon flux at 200 m depth in comparison to the HNLC control station. The impact of Fe fertilization was significantly less over the central plateau (stations A3 and E-4W) and in the northern branch of the bloom (station F-L) with 1.6- up to 2.0-fold higher carbon flux compared to the reference station R. Export efficiencies (ratio of export to primary production) were particularly variable with relatively high values in the recirculation feature (6–27%) and low values (1–5%) over the central plateau (station A3) and north of the PF (station F-L) indicating spring biomass accumulation. Comparison with KEOPS1 results indicated that carbon export production is much lower during the onset of the bloom in austral spring in comparison to the peak and declining phase in late summer.

scholarly journals Fluvial organic carbon flux from an eroding peatland catchment, southern Pennines, UK

2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 625-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. Pawson ◽  
D. R. Lord ◽  
M. G. Evans ◽  
T. E. H. Allott
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Carbon Flux ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Carbon Export ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Organic Carbon Flux ◽  
Poc Export ◽  
Event Based ◽  
First Time ◽  
Annual Flux

Abstract. This study investigates for the first time the relative importance of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) in the fluvial carbon flux from an actively eroding peatland catchment in the southern Pennines, UK. Event scale variability in DOC and POC was examined and the annual flux of fluvial organic carbon was estimated for the catchment. At the event scale, both DOC and POC were found to increase with discharge, with event based POC export accounting for 95% of flux in only 8% of the time. On an annual cycle, exports of 35.14 t organic carbon (OC) are estimated from the catchment, which represents an areal value of 92.47 g C m−2 a−1. POC was the most significant form of organic carbon export, accounting for 80% of the estimated flux. This suggests that more research is required on both the fate of POC and the rates of POC export in eroding peatland catchments.

scholarly journals Late summer particulate organic carbon export and twilight zone remineralisation in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 3423-3477 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Planchon ◽  
A.-J. Cavagna ◽  
D. Cardinal ◽  
L. André ◽  
F. Dehairs
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Depth Interval ◽  
Twilight Zone ◽  
Atlantic Sector ◽  
Export Production ◽  
Sinking Particles ◽  
Steady State Model ◽  
Poc Export

Abstract. During the Bonus-GoodHope (BGH) expedition (Jan–Mar 2008) we studied the water column distribution of total 234Th and biogenic particulate Ba (Baxs) in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. The objective was to assess the export flux of particulate organic carbon (POC) from the surface to the mesopelagic twilight zone along a section between the Cape Basin and Weddell Gyre. Export production of POC was estimated from steady state and non steady state export fluxes of 234Th which were converted into POC fluxes, using the POC/234Th ratio of large (>53 μm) suspended particles, collected via in-situ pumps. Deficits in 234Th activities were observed at all stations from the surface to the bottom of the mixed-layer. 234Th export fluxes from the upper 100 m ranged from 496 ± 57 dpm m−2 d−1 to 1195 ± 120 dpm m−2 d−1 for the steady state model and from 149 ± 18 dpm m−2 d−1 to 1217 ± 146 dpm m−2 d−1 for the non steady state model calculated for a time window of 15 to 22 days preceding the timing of the present cruise. The POC/234Thp ratio of large, potentially sinking particles (>53 μm), was observed to increase with latitude, from 1.9 ± 0.2 μmol dpm−1 and 1.7 ± 0.3 μmol dpm−1 in the Subtropical Zone (STZ) and Subantarctic Zone (SAZ), respectively, to 3.0 ± 0.2 μmol dpm−1 in the Polar Front Zone (PFZ), 4.8 ± 1.9 μmol dpm−1 at the Southern Antarctic Circumpolar Current Front (SACCF) to 4.1 ± 1.7 μmol dpm−1 in the northern Weddell Gyre, in line with an increasing contribution of larger cell diatoms. Steady state and non steady state POC export from the upper 100 m ranged from 0.9 ± 0.2 mmolC m−2 d−1 to 5.1 ± 2.1 mmolC m−2 d−1 and from 0.3 ± 0.0 mmolC m−2 d−1 to 4.9 ± 3.2 mmolC m−2 d−1, respectively. From the SAZ to the SACCF, non steady state POC export production represented only 15 to 54 % of the steady state POC flux, suggesting that the intensity of export had decreased over time partly due to the fact that regenerated-production based communities of small-sized phytoplankton became predominant. In contrast, for the HNLC area south of the SACCF, we found an excellent agreement between the two modeling approaches indicating that surface POC export remained rather constant there. Estimated POC export represented between 6 to 54 % of the potential export as represented by new production, indicating that export efficiency was particularly low throughout the studied area, except close to the SACCF. Below the export layer, in the mesopelagic zone, 234Th activities generally reached equilibrium with 238U, but sometimes were in large excess relative to 238U (234Th/238U ratio>1.1), reflecting intense remineralisation/disaggregation of 234Th-bearing particles. The accumulation of excess 234Th in the 100–600 m depth interval ranged from 458 ± 55 dpm m−2 d−1 to 3068 ± 368 dpm m−2 d−1. Using POC to 234Th ratio of sinking particles, we converted this 234Th flux into a POC remineralisation flux, which ranged between 0.9 to 9.2 mmolC m−2 d−1. Mesopelagic remineralisation was also evidenced by Baxs inventories which are related to bacterial degradation of sinking material and offer a means to quantify the flux of respired C. Highest biogenic particulate Ba (Baxs) contents were generally observed in the 200–400 m depth interval with values reaching up to >1000 pM in the northern PFZ. Depth weighted average mesopelagic Baxs (meso-Baxs) was high in the PFZ and low in the northernmost (STZ-SAZ) and the southernmost (SACCF-AZ-WG) parts of the BGH section; conversion into respired C flux yielded a range of –0.23 to 6.4 mmolC m−2 d−1. Excluding two outliers, we found a significant positive correlation for mesopelagic waters between POC remineralisation estimated from meso-Baxs and from 234Th excess (R2 = 0.73). Our results indicate that POC export production in this area of the Southern Ocean was strongly attenuated in the mesopelagic waters due to remineralisation, a process which thus appears to strongly impact on longer term bathypelagic zone sequestration of POC.

scholarly journals Seasonal evolution of net and regenerated silica production around a natural Fe-fertilized area in the Southern Ocean estimated from Si isotopic approaches

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 6329-6381 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Closset ◽  
M. Lasbleiz ◽  
K. Leblanc ◽  
B. Quéguiner ◽  
A.-J. Cavagna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Silicic Acid ◽  
Biogenic Silica ◽  
Reference Station ◽  
Nitrogen Recycling ◽  
Kerguelen Plateau ◽  
Austral Spring ◽  
Seasonal Evolution ◽  
Silicon Uptake ◽  
Long Time

Abstract. A massive diatom-bloom is observed each year in the surface waters of the naturally Fe fertilized Kerguelen Plateau (Southern Ocean). We measured biogenic silica production and dissolution fluxes in the mixed layer in the vicinity of the Kerguelen Plateau during austral spring 2011 (KEOPS-2 cruise). We compare results from a High-Nutrient Low-Chlorophyll reference station and stations with different degrees of iron enrichment and bloom conditions. Above the Plateau biogenic silica production fluxes are among the highest reported so far in the Southern Ocean (up to 47.9 mmol m−2 d−1). Although significant (10.2 mmol m−2 d−1 in average), silica dissolution rates were generally much lower than production rates. Uptake ratios (Si:C and Si:N) confirm that diatoms strongly dominate the primary production in this area. At the bloom onset, decreasing dissolution to production ratios (D:P) indicate that the remineralization of silica could sustained most of the low silicon uptake and that the system progressively shifts toward a silica production regime which must be mainly supported by new source of silicic acid. Moreover, by comparing results from the two KEOPS-expeditions (spring 2011 and summer 2005), we suggest that there is a seasonal evolution on the processes decoupling Si and N cycles in the area. Indeed, the consumption of H4SiO4 standing stocks occurs only during the growing stage of the bloom when strong net silica production is observed, contributing to a higher H4SiO4 depletion relative to NO3−. Then, the decoupling between H4SiO4 and NO3− is mainly controlled by the more efficient nitrogen recycling relative to Si. Gross-Si:N uptake ratios were higher in the Fe-rich regions compared to the HNLC area, likely due to different diatoms communities. This suggests that the diatom responses to natural Fe fertilization are more complex than previously thought, and that natural iron fertilization over long time scales does not necessarily decrease Si:N uptake ratios as suggested by the Silicic Acid Leakage Hypothesis. Finally, we propose the first seasonal estimate of Si-biogeochemical budget above the Kerguelen Plateau based on direct measurements. This study points out that naturally iron fertilized areas of the Southern Ocean could sustain very high regimes of biogenic silica production, similar to those observed in highly productive upwelling systems.

scholarly journals The relative importance of phytoplankton aggregates and zooplankton fecal pellets to carbon export: insights from free-drifting sediment trap deployments in naturally iron-fertilised waters near the Kerguelen plateau

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 13623-13673 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. C. Laurenceau ◽  
T. W. Trull ◽  
D. M. Davies ◽  
S. G. Bray ◽  
J. Doran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Carbon Flux ◽  
Net Primary Productivity ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Plankton Community ◽  
Carbon Export ◽  
Fecal Pellets ◽  
Sinking Particles ◽  
Plankton Community Structure

Abstract. The first KErguelen Ocean and Plateau compared Study (KEOPS1), conducted in the naturally iron-fertilised Kerguelen bloom, demonstrated that fecal material was the main pathway for exporting carbon to the deep ocean during summer (January–February~2005), suggesting a~limited role of direct export via phytodetrital aggregates. The KEOPS2 project re-investigated this issue during the spring bloom initiation (October–November 2011), when zooplankton communities may exert limited grazing pressure, and explored further the link between carbon flux, export efficiency and dominant sinking particles depending upon surface plankton community structure. Sinking particles were collected in polyacrylamide gel-filled and standard free-drifting sediment traps (PPS3/3), deployed at six stations between 100 and 400 m to examine flux composition, particle origin and their size distributions. Results revealed an important contribution of phytodetrital aggregates (49 ± 10% and 45 ± 22% of the total number and volume of particles respectively, all stations and depths averaged). This high contribution dropped when converted to carbon content (30 ± 16% of total carbon, all stations and depths averaged), cylindrical fecal pellets representing then the dominant fraction (56 ± 19%). At 100 and 200 m depth, iron and biomass enriched sites exhibited the highest carbon fluxes (maxima of 180 and 84 ± 27 mg C m−2 d−1; based on gel and PPS3/3 trap collection respectively), especially where large fecal pellets dominated over phytodetrital aggregates. Below these depths, carbon fluxes decreased (48 ± 21% decrease in average between 200 and 400 m), and mixed aggregates composed of phytodetritus and fecal matter dominated, suggesting an important role played by physical aggregation in deep carbon export. Export efficiencies determined from gels, PPS3/3 traps and 234Th disequilibria (200 m carbon flux/net primary productivity), were negatively correlated to net primary productivity with observed decreases from ~ 0.2 at low-iron sites to ~ 0.02 at high-iron sites. Varying phytoplankton communities and grazing pressure appear to explain this negative relationship. Our work emphasizes the need to consider detailed plankton community structure to accurately identify the controls on carbon export efficiency, which appear to include small spatio-temporal variations of ecosystem structure.

scholarly journals The relative importance of phytoplankton aggregates and zooplankton fecal pellets to carbon export: insights from free-drifting sediment trap deployments in naturally iron-fertilised waters near the Kerguelen Plateau

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1007-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. C. Laurenceau-Cornec ◽  
T. W. Trull ◽  
D. M. Davies ◽  
S. G. Bray ◽  
J. Doran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Carbon Flux ◽  
Net Primary Productivity ◽  
Carbon Fluxes ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Ecosystem Structure ◽  
Carbon Export ◽  
Fecal Pellets ◽  
Sinking Particles

Abstract. The first KErguelen Ocean and Plateau compared Study (KEOPS1), conducted in the naturally iron-fertilised Kerguelen bloom, demonstrated that fecal material was the main pathway for exporting carbon to the deep ocean during summer (January–February 2005), suggesting a limited role of direct export via phytodetrital aggregates. The KEOPS2 project reinvestigated this issue during the spring bloom initiation (October–November 2011), when zooplankton communities may exert limited grazing pressure, and further explored the link between carbon flux, export efficiency and dominant sinking particles depending upon surface plankton community structure. Sinking particles were collected in polyacrylamide gel-filled and standard free-drifting sediment traps (PPS3/3), deployed at six stations between 100 and 400 m, to examine flux composition, particle origin and their size distributions. Results revealed an important contribution of phytodetrital aggregates (49 ± 10 and 45 ± 22% of the total number and volume of particles respectively, all stations and depths averaged). This high contribution dropped when converted to carbon content (30 ± 16% of total carbon, all stations and depths averaged), with cylindrical fecal pellets then representing the dominant fraction (56 ± 19%). At 100 and 200 m depth, iron- and biomass-enriched sites exhibited the highest carbon fluxes (maxima of 180 and 84 ± 27 mg C m-2 d-1, based on gel and PPS3/3 trap collection respectively), especially where large fecal pellets dominated over phytodetrital aggregates. Below these depths, carbon fluxes decreased (48 ± 21% decrease on average between 200 and 400 m), and mixed aggregates composed of phytodetritus and fecal matter dominated, suggesting an important role played by physical aggregation in deep carbon export. Export efficiencies determined from gels, PPS3/3 traps and 234Th disequilibria (200 m carbon flux/net primary productivity) were negatively correlated to net primary productivity with observed decreases from ~ 0.2 at low-iron sites to ~ 0.02 at high-iron sites. Varying phytoplankton communities and grazing pressure appear to explain this negative relationship. Our work emphasises the need to consider detailed plankton communities to accurately identify the controls on carbon export efficiency, which appear to include small spatio-temporal variations in ecosystem structure.

scholarly journals Microbial dynamics of elevated carbon flux in the open ocean’s abyss

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. e2018269118
Author(s):  
Kirsten E. Poff ◽  
Andy O. Leu ◽  
John M. Eppley ◽  
David M. Karl ◽  
Edward F. DeLong
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Carbon Flux ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Particulate Carbon ◽  
Carbon Export ◽  
Sinking Particles ◽  
Attached Bacteria ◽  
Deep Sea Bacteria ◽  
Diazotrophic Cyanobacteria ◽  
Aerobic Anoxygenic Photosynthesis

In the open ocean, elevated carbon flux (ECF) events increase the delivery of particulate carbon from surface waters to the seafloor by severalfold compared to other times of year. Since microbes play central roles in primary production and sinking particle formation, they contribute greatly to carbon export to the deep sea. Few studies, however, have quantitatively linked ECF events with the specific microbial assemblages that drive them. Here, we identify key microbial taxa and functional traits on deep-sea sinking particles that correlate positively with ECF events. Microbes enriched on sinking particles in summer ECF events included symbiotic and free-living diazotrophic cyanobacteria, rhizosolenid diatoms, phototrophic and heterotrophic protists, and photoheterotrophic and copiotrophic bacteria. Particle-attached bacteria reaching the abyss during summer ECF events encoded metabolic pathways reflecting their surface water origins, including oxygenic and aerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and proteorhodopsin-based photoheterotrophy. The abundances of some deep-sea bacteria also correlated positively with summer ECF events, suggesting rapid bathypelagic responses to elevated organic matter inputs. Biota enriched on sinking particles during a spring ECF event were distinct from those found in summer, and included rhizaria, copepods, fungi, and different bacterial taxa. At other times over our 3-y study, mid- and deep-water particle colonization, predation, degradation, and repackaging (by deep-sea bacteria, protists, and animals) appeared to shape the biotic composition of particles reaching the abyss. Our analyses reveal key microbial players and biological processes involved in particle formation, rapid export, and consumption, that may influence the ocean’s biological pump and help sustain deep-sea ecosystems.

scholarly journals Fluvial organic carbon flux from an eroding peatland catchment, southern Pennines, UK

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 719-745
Author(s):  
R. R. Pawson ◽  
J. J. Rothwell ◽  
S. Daniels ◽  
D. R. Lord ◽  
M. G. E. Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Carbon Flux ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Carbon Export ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Organic Carbon Flux ◽  
Poc Export ◽  
Event Based ◽  
First Time ◽  
Annual Flux

Abstract. This study investigates for the first time the relative importance of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) in the fluvial carbon flux from an actively eroding peatland catchment in the southern Pennines, UK. Event scale variability in DOC and POC was examined and the annual flux of fluvial organic carbon was estimated for the catchment. At the event scale, both DOC and POC were found to increase with discharge, with event based POC export accounting for 95% of flux in only 8% of the time. On an annual cycle, 40.8 t organic carbon (OC) is exported from the catchment, which represents an areal value of 107 gC m−2 a−1. POC was the most significant form of organic carbon export, accounting for ~82% of the estimated flux. This suggests that more research is required on both the fate of POC and the rates of POC export in eroding peatland catchments.

scholarly journals Seasonal evolution of net and regenerated silica production around a natural Fe-fertilized area in the Southern Ocean estimated with Si isotopic approaches

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 5827-5846 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Closset ◽  
M. Lasbleiz ◽  
K. Leblanc ◽  
B. Quéguiner ◽  
A.-J. Cavagna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Silicic Acid ◽  
Biogenic Silica ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Reference Station ◽  
Nitrogen Recycling ◽  
Kerguelen Plateau ◽  
Austral Spring ◽  
Seasonal Evolution ◽  
High Nutrient

Abstract. A massive diatom bloom is observed each year in the surface waters of the naturally Fe-fertilized Kerguelen Plateau (Southern Ocean). We measured biogenic silica production and dissolution fluxes (ρSi and ρDiss, respectively) in the mixed layer in the vicinity of the Kerguelen Plateau during austral spring 2011 (KEOPS-2 cruise). We compare results from a high-nutrient low-chlorophyll reference station and stations with different degrees of iron enrichment and bloom conditions. Above the plateau biogenic ρSi are among the highest reported so far in the Southern Ocean (up to 47.9 mmol m−2 d−1). Although significant (10.2 mmol m−2 d−1 on average), ρDiss were generally much lower than production rates. Uptake ratios (ρSi : ρC and ρSi : ρN) confirm that diatoms strongly dominate primary production in this area. At the bloom onset, decreasing dissolution-to-production ratios (D : P) indicate that the remineralization of silica could sustain most of the low silicon uptake and that the system progressively shifts toward a silica production regime which must be mainly supported by new source of silicic acid. Moreover, by comparing results from the two KEOPS expeditions (spring 2011 and summer 2005), we suggest that there is a seasonal evolution of the processes decoupling Si and N cycles in the area. Indeed, the consumption of H4SiO4 standing stocks occurs only during the growing stage of the bloom when strong net silica production is observed, contributing to higher H4SiO4 depletion relative to NO3−. Then, the decoupling of H4SiO4 and NO3− is mainly controlled by the more efficient nitrogen recycling relative to Si. Gross Si : N uptake ratios were higher in the Fe-rich regions compared to the high-nutrient low-chlorophyll (HNLC) area, likely due to different diatom communities. This suggests that the diatom responses to natural Fe fertilization are more complex than previously thought, and that natural iron fertilization over long timescales does not necessarily decrease Si : N uptake ratios as suggested by the silicic acid leakage hypothesis. Finally, we propose the first seasonal estimate of the Si biogeochemical budget above the Kerguelen Plateau based on direct measurements. This study points out that naturally iron-fertilized areas of the Southern Ocean could sustain very high regimes of biogenic silica production, similar to those observed in highly productive upwelling systems.

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