The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Isopycnal Pathway for Small-Particle Export in a Decaying Cyclonic Eddy Revealed by a BGC-Argo Float
ID:1018 Poster Presentation

2027-01-15 17:15 (China Standard Time)

Session: Session 39 - Leveraging BGC-Argo Observations to Advance Marine Biogeochemical Cycles and Ecosystem Dynamics

Abstract
Mesoscale eddies influence carbon export through production, subduction, mixing, and particle redistribution. In this study, a BGC-Argo float observed a deep particle layer during the rapid decay of a cyclonic eddy in the Northwest Pacific. The layer occurred below the subsurface chlorophyll maximum and the main pycnocline, remained confined to a narrow density range near 26 kg m-3, and often exhibited a particulate backscattering signal comparable to or stronger than that associated with the overlying subsurface biomass maximum. It lacked a spiciness anomaly and showed optical signatures of small, pigment-depleted particles. An idealized model suggests that the slow sinking of particles into the deeper eddy periphery likely results from outward radial ageostrophic transport along sloping isopycnals during eddy relaxation. Together, the observations and model identify an efficient isopycnal pathway for exporting small particles into the twilight zone.
Speaker
Xiaogang Xing Second Insitute of Oceanography

Author
Xiaogang Xing Second Insitute of Oceanography

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027