Stimulation of small phytoplankton drives enhanced sinking particle formation in a subtropical ocean eddy
2027-01-14 14:15 (China Standard Time)
Session:Session 49 - Biological Carbon Pump: New Insights from Field Observations and Model Constraints
Abstract
Nutrient transfer into the sunlit surface ocean by cyclonic eddies is potentially crucial for sustaining primary productivity in the strati ed subtropical gyres. However, the nature of productivity enhancements, including the flow of matter to higher trophic levels and its impact on carbon uxes, remain poorly resolved. Here, we report a detailed assessment of the biogeochemical response to a cyclonic eddy in the subtropical Northwest Pacific via a combination of ship-based and autonomous platforms. Primary production was enhanced twofold within the eddy core relative to reference sites outside, whereas phytoplankton biomass even decreased. Pico-phytoplankton (< 2 μm) dominated (> 80%) both phytoplankton biomass and primary production inside and outside the eddy. The stimulated primary production in the eddy core was accompanied by an approximately twofold increase in mesozooplankton abundance, an approximately threefold increase in particle formation in the deep chlorophyll maximum layer, as well as signi cantly enhanced surface oceanic CO2 uptake and net community production. We suggest these observations carry important implications for understanding carbon export in the subtropical ocean and highlight the need to include such subtropical eddy features in ocean carbon budget analyses.
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Important Dates
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Jan 30
2026
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Mar 31
2026
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Apr 30
2026
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2026
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Jun 30
2026
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2026
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Sep 15
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Oct 15
2026
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Jan 12–15
2027
XMAS 2027
