The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

How Do Mesoscale Eddies and Submesoscale Fronts Affect the Production and Release of Marine Biogenic Reactive Gases?
ID:131 Oral Presentation

2027-01-12 16:35 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 38 - Oceanic (Sub)mesoscale Processes and Their Climate Impacts

Abstract
Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and isoprene are important marine biogenic reactive gases that influence marine atmospheric chemistry and climate. Mesoscale and submesoscale oceanic processes may substantially regulate their marine emissions, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In 2024 and 2025, we investigated the spatial distributions and source–sink processes of DMS and isoprene within a typical anticyclonic eddy and a submesoscale front in the western North Pacific. The anticyclonic eddy significantly enhanced isoprene production and microbial consumption within the deep chlorophyll maximum layer, with rates approximately 2.5 and 2.0 times higher, respectively, in the eddy core than at the eddy edge. Isoprene accumulated in the subsurface layer and was transported into the mixed layer through vertical diffusion before being released into the atmosphere. DMS also accumulated in the subsurface eddy core and was transported laterally toward the eddy edge along isopycnal surfaces. The front uplifted the isoprene maximum layer from approximately 100 m to 50 m through isopycnal uplift and water-mass mixing, increasing its biological production rate by approximately 56%. The front also enhanced DMS cycling, with surface production rates, concentrations, and sea-to-air fluxes increasing by approximately 19%, 36%, and 52%, respectively, relative to the surrounding waters. These findings demonstrate that mesoscale and submesoscale oceanic processes exert substantial controls on the production, transport, and atmospheric release of marine biogenic reactive gases and should therefore be explicitly considered in assessments of oceanic trace-gas emissions.
Speaker
Jian Wang Ocean University of China

Author
Jian Wang Ocean University of China

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
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    • Apr 30

      2026

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    • Apr 30

      2026

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    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

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    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027