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A Lagrangian biogeochemical study of an eddy in the Northeast Atlantic

Citation

Jickells, TD and Liss, PS and Broadgate, W and Turner, S and Kettle, AJ and Read, J and Baker, K and Cardenas, LM and Carse, F and Hamren-Larssen, M and Spokes, L and Steinke, M and Thompson, A and Watson, A and Archer, SD and Bellerby, RGJ and Law, CS and Nightingale, PD and Liddicoat, MI and Widdicombe, CE and Bowie, AR and Gilpin, LC and Moncoiffe, G and Savidge, G and Preston, T and Hadziabdic, P and Frost, T and Upstill-Goddard, R and Pedros-Alio, C and Simo, R and Jackson, A and Allen, A and DeGrandpre, MD, A Lagrangian biogeochemical study of an eddy in the Northeast Atlantic, Progress in Oceanography, 76, (3) pp. 366-398. ISSN 0079-6611 (2008) [Refereed Article]


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DOI: doi:10.1016/j.pocean.2008.01.006

Abstract

We report the results of an experiment in the Northeast Atlantic in which sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) was released within an eddy and the behaviour of trace gases, nutrients and productivity followed within a Lagrangian framework over a period of 24 days. Measurements were also made in the air above the eddy in order to estimate air–sea exchange rates for some components. The physical, biological and biogeochemical properties of the eddy resemble those of other eddies studied in this area, suggesting that the results we report may be applicable beyond the specific eddy studied. During a period of low wind speed at the start of the experiment, we are able to quantitatively describe and balance the nutrient and carbon budgets for the eddy. We also report concentrations of various trace gases in the region which are similar to those observed in other studies and we estimate exchange rates for several trace gases. We show that the importance of gas exchange over other loss terms varies with time and also varies for the different gases. We show that the various trace gases considered (CO2, dimethyl sulphide (DMS), N2O, CH4, non-methane-hydrocarbons, methyl bromide, methyl iodide and volatile selenium species) are all influenced by physical and biological processes, but the overall distribution and temporal variability of individual gases are different to one another. A storm disrupted the stratification in the eddy during the experiment, resulting in enhanced nutrient supply to surface waters, enhanced gas exchange rates and a change in plankton community, which we quantify, although overall productivity was little changed. Emphasis is placed on the regularity of storms in the temperate ocean and the importance of these stochastic processes in such systems.

Item Details

Item Type:Refereed Article
Keywords:Nutrients; Trace gases; Primary productivity; Air–sea exchange
Research Division:Earth Sciences
Research Group:Oceanography
Research Field:Oceanography not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:Environment
Objective Group:Other Environment
Objective Field:Marine Oceanic Processes (excl. climate related)
Author:Bowie, AR (Associate Professor Andrew Bowie)
ID Code:57212
Year Published:2008
Web of Science® Times Cited:13
Deposited By:CRC-Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems
Deposited On:2009-06-25
Last Modified:2010-05-14
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