Eddy-driven subduction exports particulate organic carbon from the spring bloom
Abstract
How does the ocean move carbon from surface waters to its deep interior? Current understanding is that carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by phytoplankton that are eaten, and in turn their predators die and sink into deep water and seafloor sediments. In addition to this route, Omand et al. show that downwelling caused by ocean eddies 1 to 10 km across can deliver much of the carbon produced in spring to the deep sea. The eddies entrain small particles and dissolved organic carbon to augment the flux of large sinking particles.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 2015
- Source ID
- 10.1126/science.1260062
Entities
People
- Amala Mahadevan
- Craig Lee
- Eric A. D'Asaro
- Ivona Cetinić
- Mary Jane Perry
- Melissa M. Omand
- Nathan Briggs
Organizations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Science Foundation
- Office of Naval Research
- University of Maine
- University of Washington
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution