scholarly journals Relationships between the surface concentration of particulate organic carbon and optical properties in the eastern South Pacific and eastern Atlantic Oceans

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Stramski ◽  
R. A. Reynolds ◽  
M. Babin ◽  
S. Kaczmarek ◽  
M. R. Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Particulate Organic Carbon ◽  
Coastal Upwelling ◽  
Empirical Relationship ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Surface Concentration ◽  
Optical Measurements ◽  
Error Statistics ◽  
Empirical Relationships ◽  
Data Set

Abstract. We have examined several approaches for estimating the surface concentration of particulate organic carbon, POC, from optical measurements of spectral remote-sensing reflectance, Rrs(λ), using field data collected in tropical and subtropical waters of the eastern South Pacific and eastern Atlantic Oceans. These approaches include a direct empirical relationship between POC and the blue-to-green band ratio of reflectance, Rrs(λB)/Rrs(555), and two-step algorithms that consist of relationships linking reflectance to an inherent optical property IOP (beam attenuation or backscattering coefficient) and POC to the IOP. We considered two-step empirical algorithms that exclusively include pairs of empirical relationships and two-step hybrid algorithms that consist of semianalytical models and empirical relationships. The surface POC in our data set ranges from about 10 mg m−3 within the South Pacific Subtropical Gyre to 270 mg m−3 in the Chilean upwelling area, and ancillary data suggest a considerable variation in the characteristics of particulate assemblages in the investigated waters. The POC algorithm based on the direct relationship between POC and Rrs(λB)/Rrs(555) promises reasonably good performance in the vast areas of the open ocean covering different provinces from hyperoligotrophic and oligotrophic waters within subtropical gyres to eutrophic coastal upwelling regimes characteristic of eastern ocean boundaries. The best error statistics were found for power function fits to the data of POC vs. Rrs(443)/Rrs(555) and POC vs. Rrs(490)/Rrs(555). For our data set that includes over 50 data pairs, these relationships are characterized by the mean normalized bias of about 2% and the normalized root mean square error of about 20%. We recommend that these algorithms be implemented for routine processing of ocean color satellite data to produce maps of surface POC with the status of an evaluation data product for continued work on algorithm development and refinements. The two-step algorithms also deserve further attention because they can utilize various models for estimating IOPs from reflectance, offer advantages for developing an understanding of bio-optical variability underlying the algorithms, and provide flexibility for regional or seasonal parameterizations of the algorithms.

scholarly journals Relationships between the surface concentration of particulate organic carbon and optical properties in the eastern South Pacific and eastern Atlantic Oceans

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 3453-3530 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Stramski ◽  
R. A. Reynolds ◽  
M. Babin ◽  
S. Kaczmarek ◽  
M. R. Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Particulate Organic Carbon ◽  
Coastal Upwelling ◽  
Empirical Relationship ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Surface Concentration ◽  
Optical Measurements ◽  
Error Statistics ◽  
Empirical Relationships ◽  
Data Set

Abstract. We have examined several approaches for estimating the surface concentration of particulate organic carbon, POC, from optical measurements of remote-sensing reflectance, Rrs(λ), using field data collected in tropical and subtropical waters of the eastern South Pacific and eastern Atlantic Oceans. These approaches include a direct empirical relationship between POC and the blue-to-green band ratio of reflectance, Rrs(λB)/Rrs(555), and two-step algorithms that consist of relationships linking reflectance to an inherent optical property IOP (beam attenuation or backscattering coefficient) and POC to the IOP. We considered two-step empirical algorithms that exclusively include pairs of empirical relationships and two-step hybrid algorithms that consist of semianalytical models and empirical relationships. The surface POC in our data set ranges from about 10 mg m-3 within the South Pacific Subtropical Gyre to 270 mg m-3 in the Chilean upwelling area, and data on phytoplankton pigments, suspended particulate matter, and the backscattering ratio suggest a considerable variation in the composition of particulate assemblages in the investigated waters. The POC algorithm based on the direct relationship between POC and Rrs(λB)/Rrs(555) promises reasonably good performance in the vast areas of the open ocean covering different provinces from hyperoligotrophic and oligotrophic waters within subtropical gyres to eutrophic coastal upwelling regimes characteristic of eastern ocean boundaries. The best error statistics were found for power function fits to the data of POC vs. Rrs(443)/Rrs(555) and POC vs. Rrs(490)/Rrs(555). For our data set that includes over 50 data pairs, these relationships are characterized by the mean normalized bias of about 2% and the normalized root mean square error of about 20%. We recommend that these algorithms be implemented for routine processing of ocean color satellite data to produce maps of surface POC with the status of an evaluation data product for continued work on algorithm development and refinements. The two-step algorithms also deserve further attention because they can utilize various models for estimating IOPs from reflectance, offer advantages for developing an understanding of bio-optical variability underlying the algorithms, and provide flexibility for regional or seasonal parameterizations of the algorithms.

scholarly journals Seasonal hydrology drives rapid shifts in the flux and composition of dissolved and particulate organic carbon and major and trace ions in the Fraser River, Canada

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 5597-5618 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. M. Voss ◽  
B. Peucker-Ehrenbrink ◽  
T. I. Eglinton ◽  
R. G. M. Spencer ◽  
E. Bulygina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Particulate Organic Carbon ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Inorganic Species ◽  
Rapid Changes ◽  
Spring Freshet ◽  
Daily Sampling ◽  
Dom Composition

Abstract. Rapid changes in the volume and sources of discharge during the spring freshet lead to pronounced variations in biogeochemical properties in snowmelt-dominated river basins. We used daily sampling during the onset of the freshet in the Fraser River (southwestern Canada) in 2013 to identify rapid changes in the flux and composition of dissolved material, with a focus on dissolved organic matter (DOM). Previous time series sampling (at twice monthly frequency) of dissolved inorganic species in the Fraser River has revealed smooth seasonal transitions in concentrations of major ions and tracers of water and dissolved load sources between freshet and base flow periods. In contrast, daily sampling reveals a significant increase in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration (200 to 550 μmol L−1) occurring over a matter of days, accompanied by a shift in DOM optical properties, indicating a transition towards higher molecular weight, more aromatic DOM composition. Comparable changes in DOM composition, but not concentration, occur at other times of year, underscoring the role of seasonal climatology in DOM cycling. A smaller data set of total and dissolved Hg concentrations also showed variability during the spring freshet period, although dissolved Hg dynamics appear to be driven by factors beyond DOM as characterized here. The time series records of DOC and particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations indicate that the Fraser River exports 0.25–0.35 % of its annual basin net primary productivity. The snowmelt-dominated hydrology, forested land cover, and minimal reservoir impoundment of the Fraser River may influence the DOC yield of the basin, which is high relative to the nearby Columbia River and of similar magnitude to that of the Yukon River to the north. Anticipated warming and decreased snowfall due to climate changes in the region may cause an overall decrease in DOM flux from the Fraser River to the coastal ocean in coming decades

scholarly journals Decoupling of ΔO<sub>2</sub>∕Ar and particulate organic carbon dynamics in nearshore surface ocean waters

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 3277-3298
Author(s):  
Sarah Z. Rosengard ◽  
Robert W. Izett ◽  
William J. Burt ◽  
Nina Schuback ◽  
Philippe D. Tortell
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Particulate Organic Carbon ◽  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Vertical Mixing ◽  
Optical Measurements ◽  
Community Respiration ◽  
Carbon Export ◽  
Net Community Production ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Lower Productivity

Abstract. We report results from two Lagrangian drifter surveys off the Oregon coast, using continuous shipboard sensors to estimate mixed-layer gross primary productivity (GPP), community respiration (CR), and net community production (NCP) from variations in biological oxygen saturation (ΔO2∕Ar) and optically derived particulate organic carbon (POC). At the first drifter survey, conducted in a nearshore upwelling zone during the development of a microplankton bloom, net changes in ΔO2∕Ar and [POC] were significantly decoupled. Differences in GPP and NCP derived from ΔO2∕Ar (NCPO2/Ar) and POC (NCPPOC) time series suggest the presence of large POC losses from the mixed layer. At this site, we utilized the discrepancy between NCPO2/Ar and NCPPOC, and additional constraints derived from surface water excess nitrous oxide (N2O), to evaluate POC loss through particle export, DOC production, and vertical mixing fluxes. At the second drifter survey, conducted in lower-productivity, density-stratified offshore waters, we also observed offsets between ΔO2∕Ar and POC-derived GPP and CR rates. At this site, however, net [POC] and ΔO2∕Ar changes yielded closer agreement in NCP estimates, suggesting a tighter relationship between production and community respiration, as well as lower POC loss rates. These results provide insight into the possibilities and limitations of estimating productivity from continuous underway POC and ΔO2∕Ar data in contrasting oceanic waters. Our observations support the use of diel POC measurements to estimate NCP in lower-productivity waters with limited vertical carbon export and the potential utility of coupled O2 and optical measurements to estimate the fate of POC in high-productivity regions with significant POC export.

scholarly journals Shallow particulate organic carbon regeneration in the South Pacific Ocean

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (20) ◽  
pp. 9753-9758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank J. Pavia ◽  
Robert F. Anderson ◽  
Phoebe J. Lam ◽  
B. B. Cael ◽  
Sebastian M. Vivancos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Particulate Organic Carbon ◽  
Carbon Storage ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Length Scales ◽  
Poc Flux ◽  
Carbon Transfer ◽  
Ocean Carbon ◽  
Carbon Regeneration

Particulate organic carbon (POC) produced in the surface ocean sinks through the water column and is respired at depth, acting as a primary vector sequestering carbon in the abyssal ocean. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are sensitive to the length (depth) scale over which respiration converts POC back to inorganic carbon, because shallower waters exchange with the atmosphere more rapidly than deeper ones. However, estimates of this carbon regeneration length scale and its spatiotemporal variability are limited, hindering the ability to characterize its sensitivity to environmental conditions. Here, we present a zonal section of POC fluxes at high vertical and spatial resolution from the GEOTRACES GP16 transect in the eastern tropical South Pacific, based on normalization to the radiogenic thorium isotope 230Th. We find shallower carbon regeneration length scales than previous estimates for the oligotrophic South Pacific gyre, indicating less efficient carbon transfer to the deep ocean. Carbon regeneration is strongly inhibited within suboxic waters near the Peru coast. Canonical Martin curve power laws inadequately capture POC flux profiles at suboxic stations. We instead fit these profiles using an exponential function with flux preserved at depth, finding shallow regeneration but high POC sequestration below 1,000 m. Both regeneration length scales and POC flux at depth closely track the depths at which oxygen concentrations approach zero. Our findings imply that climate warming will result in reduced ocean carbon storage due to expanding oligotrophic gyres, but opposing effects on ocean carbon storage from expanding suboxic waters will require modeling and future work to disentangle.

scholarly journals Description of a global marine particulate organic carbon-13 isotope data set

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria-Theresia Verwega ◽  
Christopher J. Somes ◽  
Markus Schartau ◽  
Robyn E. Tuerena ◽  
Anne Lorrain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Particulate Organic Carbon ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Distribution ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
The 1960S

Abstract. Marine particulate organic carbon-13 stable isotope ratios (δ13CPOC) provide insights in understanding carbon cycling through the atmosphere, ocean, and biosphere. They have been used to trace the input of anthropogenic carbon in the marine ecosystem due to the distinct isotopically light signature of anthropogenic emissions. However, δ13CPOC is also significantly altered during photosynthesis by phytoplankton, which complicates its interpretation. For such purposes, robust spatio-temporal coverage of δ13CP OC observations is essential. We collected all such available data sets, merged and homogenized them to provide the largest available marine δ13CPOC data set (Verwega et al., 2021). The data set consists of 4732 data points covering all major ocean basins beginning in the 1960s. We describe the compiled raw data, compare different observational methods, and provide key insights in the temporal and spatial distribution that is consistent with previously observed patterns. The main different sample collection methods (bottle, intake, net, trap) are generally consistent with each other when comparing within regions. An analysis of 1990s mean δ13CP OC values in an meridional section accross the Atlantic Ocean shows relatively high values (≥ −22 ‰) in the low latitudes (< 30°) trending towards lower values in the Arctic Ocean (∼ −24 ‰) and Southern Ocean (≤ −28 ‰). The temporal trend since the 1960s shows a decrease of mean δ13CPOC by more than 3 ‰ in all basins except for the Southern Ocean which shows a weaker trend but contains relatively poor multi-decadal coverage.

scholarly journals Contribution of picoplankton to the total particulate organic carbon (POC) concentration in the eastern South Pacific

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1461-1497 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Grob ◽  
O. Ulloa ◽  
H. Claustre ◽  
Y. Huot ◽  
G. Alarcón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Particulate Organic Carbon ◽  
Attenuation Coefficient ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Particle Beam ◽  
Trophic Conditions ◽  
Carbon Biomass ◽  
Organic Carbon Concentration ◽  
Total Particle

Abstract. Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus, picophytoeukaryotes and bacterioplankton abundances and contributions to the total particulate organic carbon concentration (POC), derived from the total particle beam attenuation coefficient (cp), were determined across the eastern South Pacific between the Marquesas Islands and the coast of Chile. All flow cytometrically derived abundances decreased towards the hyper-oligotrophic centre of the gyre and were highest at the coast, except for Prochlorococcus, which is not detected under eutrophic conditions. Temperature and nutrient availability appeared important in modulating picophytoplankton abundance, according to the prevailing trophic conditions. Although the non-vegetal particles tended to dominate the cp signal everywhere along the transect (50 to 83%), this dominance seemed to weaken from oligo- to eutrophic conditions, the contributions by vegetal and non-vegetal particles being about equal under mature upwelling conditions. Spatial variability in the vegetal compartment was more important than the non-vegetal one in shaping the water column particulate attenuation coefficient. Spatial variability in picophytoplankton biomass could be traced by changes in both Tchla and cp. Finally, picophytoeukaryotes contributed with ~38% on average to the total integrated phytoplankton carbon biomass or vegetal attenuation signal along the transect, as determined by direct size measurements on cells sorted by flow cytometry and optical theory. The role of picophytoeukaryotes in carbon and energy flow would therefore be very important, even under hyper-oligotrophic conditions.

scholarly journals Water column distribution and carbon isotopic signal of cholesterol, brassicasterol and particulate organic carbon in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 2787-2801 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.-J. Cavagna ◽  
F. Dehairs ◽  
S. Bouillon ◽  
V. Woule-Ebongué ◽  
F. Planchon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Particulate Organic Carbon ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Surface Concentration ◽  
Polar Front ◽  
Atlantic Sector ◽  
Organic C

Abstract. The combination of concentrations and δ13C signatures of Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) and sterols provides a powerful approach to study ecological and environmental changes in both the modern and ancient ocean. We applied this tool to study the biogeochemical changes in the modern ocean water column during the BONUS-GoodHope survey (February–March 2008) from Cape Basin to the northern part of the Weddell Gyre. Cholesterol and brassicasterol were chosen as ideal biomarkers of the heterotrophic and autotrophic carbon pools, respectively, because of their ubiquitous and relatively refractory nature. We document depth distributions of concentrations (relative to bulk POC) and δ13C signatures of cholesterol and brassicasterol combined with CO2 aq. surface concentration variation. While the relationship between CO2 aq. and δ13C of bulk POC and biomarkers have been reported by others for the surface water, our data show that this persists in mesopelagic and deep waters, suggesting that δ13C signatures of certain biomarkers in the water column could be applied as proxies for surface water CO2 aq. We observed a general increase in sterol δ13C signatures with depth, which is likely related to a combination of particle size effects, selective feeding on larger cells by zooplankton, and growth rate related effects. Our data suggest a key role of zooplankton fecal aggregates in carbon export for this part of the Southern Ocean (SO). Additionally, in the southern part of the transect south of the Polar Front (PF), the release of sea-ice algae during the ice demise in the Seasonal Ice Zone (SIZ) is hypothesized to influence the isotopic signature of sterols in the open ocean. Overall, the combined use of δ13C values and concentrations measurements of both bulk organic C and specific sterols throughout the water column offers the promising potential to explore the recent history of plankton and the fate of organic matter in the SO.

scholarly journals Description of a global marine particulate organic carbon-13 isotope data set

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 4861-4880
Author(s):  
Maria-Theresia Verwega ◽  
Christopher J. Somes ◽  
Markus Schartau ◽  
Robyn Elizabeth Tuerena ◽  
Anne Lorrain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Particulate Organic Carbon ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Distribution ◽  
Data Set ◽  
The 1960S

Abstract. Marine particulate organic carbon stable isotope ratios (δ13CPOC) provide insights into understanding carbon cycling through the atmosphere, ocean and biosphere. They have for example been used to trace the input of anthropogenic carbon in the marine ecosystem due to the distinct isotopically light signature of anthropogenic emissions. However, δ13CPOC is also significantly altered during photosynthesis by phytoplankton, which complicates its interpretation. For such purposes, robust spatio-temporal coverage of δ13CPOC observations is essential. We collected all such available data sets and merged and homogenized them to provide the largest available marine δ13CPOC data set (https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.929931; Verwega et al., 2021). The data set consists of 4732 data points covering all major ocean basins beginning in the 1960s. We describe the compiled raw data, compare different observational methods, and provide key insights in the temporal and spatial distribution that is consistent with previously observed large-scale patterns. The main different sample collection methods (bottle, intake, net, trap) are generally consistent with each other when comparing within regions. An analysis of 1990s median δ13CPOC values in a meridional section across the best-covered Atlantic Ocean shows relatively high values (≥-22 ‰) in the low latitudes (<30∘) trending towards lower values in the Arctic Ocean (∼-24 ‰) and Southern Ocean (≤-28 ‰). The temporal trend since the 1960s shows a decrease in the median δ13CPOC by more than 3 ‰ in all basins except for the Southern Ocean, which shows a weaker trend but contains relatively poor multi-decadal coverage.

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