The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Revisiting the seasonal mixed-layer pump in the global ocean
ID:1023 Oral Presentation

2027-01-14 13:45 (China Standard Time)

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

Abstract
The seasonal mixed-layer pump (MLP) transfers biologically produced carbon to the ocean interior via seasonal changes in mixed-layer depth, providing an important physically mediated pathway for carbon export. However, its global contribution remains poorly constrained. Here we use 664 float-years of observations from 397 biogeochemical Argo floats to quantify MLP carbon export across the global ocean. Local MLP export rates range from −1.4 to 9.7 g C m-2 yr-1, equivalent to up to 60% of gravitational particle export, and are primarily modulated by upper-ocean stratification and nutrient availability. Extrapolating these float-based estimates globally with a machine-learning model yields a global annual MLP export of 0.29 ± 0.01 Pg C yr-1, with the North Atlantic and Southern Ocean emerging as global hotspots. These results identify the seasonal MLP as an important regional pathway and underscore how changes in upper-ocean vertical structure can reshape regional carbon export budgets.
 
Speaker
Chao Xu Memorial University of Newfoundland

Author
Chao Xu Memorial University of Newfoundland

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

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    • Apr 30

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    • Jun 30

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      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

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    • Sep 15

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    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027