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Observations of pigment and particle distributions in the western North Atlantic from an autonomous float and ocean color satellite

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 13:45 authored by Boss, E, Swift, D, Taylor, L, Brickley, P, Zaneveld, R, Riser, S, Perry, MJ, Peter StruttonPeter Strutton
Profiling floats with optical sensors can provide important complementary data to satellite ocean color determinations by providing information about the vertical structure of ocean waters, as well as surface waters obscured by clouds. Here we demonstrate this ability by pairing satellite ocean color data with records from a profiling float that obtained continuous, high-quality optical data for 3 yr in the North Atlantic Ocean. Good agreement was found between satellite and float data, and the relationship between satellite chlorophyll and floatderived particulate backscattering was consistent with previously published data. Upper ocean biogeochemical dynamics were evidenced in float measurements, which displayed strong seasonal patterns associated with phytoplankton blooms, and depth and seasonal patterns associated with an increase in pigmentation per particle at low light. Surface optical variables had shorter decorrelation timescales than did physical variables (unlike at low latitudes), suggesting that biogeochemical rather than physical processes controlled much of the observed variability. After 2.25 yr in the subpolar North Atlantic between Newfoundland and Greenland, the float crossed the North Atlantic Current to warmer waters, where it sampled an unusual eddy for 3 months. This anticyclonic feature contained elevated particulate material from surface to 1000-m depth and was the only such event in the float’s record. This eddy was associated with weakly elevated surface pigment and backscattering, but depthintegrated backscattering was similar to that previously observed during spring blooms. Such seldom-observed eddies, if frequent, are likely to make an important contribution to the delivery of particles to depth.

History

Publication title

Limnology and Oceanography

Volume

53

Issue

5, part 2

Pagination

2112-2122

ISSN

0024-3590

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Amer Soc Limnology Oceanography

Place of publication

5400 Bosque Blvd, Ste 680, Waco, USA, Tx, 76710-4446

Rights statement

Copyright 2008 American Society of Limnology and Oceanography

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the earth sciences

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