Dynamic of Deep phytoplankton Maxima : a global approach using BioGeoChemical-Argo floats

L’objectif de cette thèse consiste à cartographier la distribution régionale et saisonnière des maxima profonds de chlorophylle a (« Deep Chlorophyll Maxima », DCM) dans l’océan global, à comprendre les paramètres environnementaux qui contrôlent leur formation et leur persistance, et à estimer leur contribution dans les bilans de production primaire (PP) à l’échelle globale. Cette approche se base sur les mesures des flotteurs profileurs Biogéochimique-Argo (BGC-Argo). Une méthode de détection des DCMs et de leur typologie ( maxima de biomasse ou de photoacclimatation) a été développée et appliquée sur ~60,000 profils de fluorescence de la chlorophylle a et du coefficient de rétrodiffusion particulaire (estimateurs respectifs de la concentration en chlorophylle a [Chla], et du carbone organique particulaire). A partir de cette classification, l’occurrence spatiale et temporelle des DCMs a été décrite dans 28 régions de l’océan mondial, permettant d’affiner la description de leurs caractéristiques, de grouper ces régions en quatre types selon leurs similarité, et d'en décrire les principales configurations environnementales (profils d'éclairement et de nitrates). Dans un second temps, l’impact des tourbillons de mésoéchelle a été étudié sur la présence des DCMs et sur leurs propriétés par la co-localisation de la base de profils BGC-Argo avec un atlas de tourbillons de mésoéchelle détectés par altimétrie satellite. Enfin une estimation de la contribution des DCMs à la PP globale a été estimée ainsi qu’une analyse de performance de deux modèles d’estimation des profils verticaux de [Chla] à partir des observations satellites en comparaison avec les mesures BGC-Argo.The main objective of this thesis is to map the regional and seasonal distribution of Deep Chlorophyll Maxima (DCM) in the global ocean, to understand the environmental parameters that control their formation and persistence, and to estimate their contribution to global primary production (PP) budgets. This approach is based on measurements from the Biogeochemical-Argo Profiling Floats (BGC-Argo). A method for the detection of DCMs and their typology (biomass or photoacclimation maxima) has been developed and applied to ~60,000 chlorophyll a fluorescence profiles and particle backscatter coefficient (respective proxies of chlorophyll a concentration [Chla], and particulate organic carbon). From this classification, the spatial and temporal occurrence of DCMs was described in 28 regions of the world ocean, allowing to refine the description of their main characteristics (i.e. depth and intensity), and to group the regions into four main types according to the similarity of their DCMs. The estimation of vertical profiles of nitrate concentration and downward irradiance then allowed to describe the main environmental configurations of the different types of regions. In a second step, the impact of mesoscale eddies was studied on the presence of DCMs and their properties by co-locating the BGC-Argo profile database with an atlas of mesoscale eddies detected by satellite altimetry. Finally, an estimate of the contribution of DCMs to global PP was estimated, as well as a regional performance analysis of two models for estimating the vertical profiles of [Chla] from satellite observations, compared to the [Chla] profiles of the BGC-Argo database

La dynamique des Maxima profonds de phytoplancton : une approche globale avec les flotteurs BGC-Argo

The main objective of this thesis is to map the regional and seasonal distribution of Deep Chlorophyll Maxima (DCM) in the global ocean, to understand the environmental parameters that control their formation and persistence, and to estimate their contribution to global primary production (PP) budgets. This approach is based on measurements from the Biogeochemical-Argo Profiling Floats (BGC-Argo). A method for the detection of DCMs and their typology (biomass or photoacclimation maxima) has been developed and applied to ~60,000 chlorophyll a fluorescence profiles and particle backscatter coefficient (respective proxies of chlorophyll a concentration [Chla], and particulate organic carbon). From this classification, the spatial and temporal occurrence of DCMs was described in 28 regions of the world ocean, allowing to refine the description of their main characteristics (i.e. depth and intensity), and to group the regions into four main types according to the similarity of their DCMs. The estimation of vertical profiles of nitrate concentration and downward irradiance then allowed to describe the main environmental configurations of the different types of regions. In a second step, the impact of mesoscale eddies was studied on the presence of DCMs and their properties by co-locating the BGC-Argo profile database with an atlas of mesoscale eddies detected by satellite altimetry. Finally, an estimate of the contribution of DCMs to global PP was estimated, as well as a regional performance analysis of two models for estimating the vertical profiles of [Chla] from satellite observations, compared to the [Chla] profiles of the BGC-Argo database.L’objectif de cette thèse consiste à cartographier la distribution régionale et saisonnière des maxima profonds de chlorophylle a (« Deep Chlorophyll Maxima », DCM) dans l’océan global, à comprendre les paramètres environnementaux qui contrôlent leur formation et leur persistance, et à estimer leur contribution dans les bilans de production primaire (PP) à l’échelle globale. Cette approche se base sur les mesures des flotteurs profileurs Biogéochimique-Argo (BGC-Argo). Une méthode de détection des DCMs et de leur typologie ( maxima de biomasse ou de photoacclimatation) a été développée et appliquée sur ~60,000 profils de fluorescence de la chlorophylle a et du coefficient de rétrodiffusion particulaire (estimateurs respectifs de la concentration en chlorophylle a [Chla], et du carbone organique particulaire). A partir de cette classification, l’occurrence spatiale et temporelle des DCMs a été décrite dans 28 régions de l’océan mondial, permettant d’affiner la description de leurs caractéristiques, de grouper ces régions en quatre types selon leurs similarité, et d'en décrire les principales configurations environnementales (profils d'éclairement et de nitrates). Dans un second temps, l’impact des tourbillons de mésoéchelle a été étudié sur la présence des DCMs et sur leurs propriétés par la co-localisation de la base de profils BGC-Argo avec un atlas de tourbillons de mésoéchelle détectés par altimétrie satellite. Enfin une estimation de la contribution des DCMs à la PP globale a été estimée ainsi qu’une analyse de performance de deux modèles d’estimation des profils verticaux de [Chla] à partir des observations satellites en comparaison avec les mesures BGC-Argo

Biogeographical Classification of the Global Ocean From BGC-Argo Floats

International audienceBiogeographical classifications of the global ocean generalize spatiotemporal trends in species or biomass distributions across discrete ocean biomes or provinces. These classifications are generally based on a combination of remote-sensed proxies of phytoplankton biomass and global climatologies of biogeochemical or physical parameters. However, these approaches are limited in their capacity to account for subsurface variability in these parameters. The deployment of autonomous profiling floats in the Biogeochemical Argo network over the last decade has greatly increased global coverage of subsurface measurements of bio-optical proxies for phytoplankton biomass and physiology. In this study, we used empirical orthogonal function analysis to identify the main components of variability in a global data set of 422 annual time series of Chlorophyll a fluorescence and optical backscatter profiles. Applying cluster analysis to these results, we identified six biomes within the global ocean: two high-latitude biomes capturing summer bloom dynamics in the North Atlantic and Southern Ocean and four mid- and low-latitude biomes characterized by variability in the depth and frequency of deep chlorophyll maximum formation. We report the distribution of these biomes along with associated trends in biogeochemical and physicochemical environmental parameters. Our results demonstrate light and nutrients to explain most variability in phytoplankton distributions for all biomes, while highlighting a global inverse relationship between particle stocks in the euphotic zone and transfer efficiency into the mesopelagic zone. In addition to partitioning seasonal variability in vertical phytoplankton distributions at the global scale, our results provide a potentially novel biogeographical classification of the global ocean

Impact of Mesoscale Eddies on Deep Chlorophyll Maxima

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Correction of Biogeochemical-Argo Radiometry for Sensor Temperature-Dependence and Drift: Protocols for a Delayed-Mode Quality Control

International audienceMeasuring the underwater light field is a key mission of the international Biogeochemical-Argo program. Since 2012, 0–250 dbar profiles of downwelling irradiance at 380, 412 and 490 nm besides photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) have been acquired across the globe every 1 to 10 days. The resulting unprecedented amount of radiometric data has been previously quality-controlled for real-time distribution and ocean optics applications, yet some issues affecting the accuracy of measurements at depth have been identified such as changes in sensor dark responsiveness to ambient temperature, with time and according to the material used to build the instrument components. Here, we propose a quality-control procedure to solve these sensor issues to make Argo radiometry data available for delayed-mode distribution, with associated error estimation. The presented protocol requires the acquisition of ancillary radiometric measurements at the 1000 dbar parking depth and night-time profiles. A test on >10,000 profiles from across the world revealed a quality-control success rate >90% for each band. The procedure shows similar performance in re-qualifying low radiometry values across diverse oceanic regions. We finally recommend, for future deployments, acquiring daily 1000 dbar measurements and one night profile per year, preferably during moonless nights and when the temperature range between the surface and 1000 dbar is the largest

Integration of Biogeochemical Argo Science and Technology in Dissemination and Outreach – Selected Activities with a Focus on the Southern Ocean and Climate

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A Compilation of Silicon and Thirty One Trace Elements Measured in the Natural River Water Reference Material SLRS-4 (NRC-CNRC)

International audienceThe natural river water certified reference material SLRS-4 (NRC-CNRC, National Research Council-Conseil National de Recherches Canada) has been routinely analysed for major and trace elements by six French laboratories. Most measurements were made using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. For silicon and thirty one trace elements (rare earth elements, Ag, B, Br, Cs, Ga, Ge, Li, P, Pd, Rb, Se, Th, Ti, Tl, W, Y and Zr), no certified values are assigned by NRC-CNRC. We propose some compilation values and related uncertainties according to the results obtained by the different laboratories.Le standard d’eau de rivière SLRS-4 (NRC-CNRC, National Research Council-Conseil National de Recherches Canada) est analysé régulièrementcomme contrôle qualité par six laboratoires français étudiant les éléments majeurs et en traces dans les solutions naturelles. La plupart des mesures sont réalisées par ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma- Mass Spectrometry). Le silicium et 31 éléments en traces (terres rares, Ag, B, Br, Cs, Ga, Ge, Li, P, Pd, Rb, Se, Th, Ti, Tl, W, Y and Zr) ne sont pas certifiés par NRC-CNRC. Nous proposons des valeurs de compilation pour ces éléments ainsi que les incertitudes associées d’après les concentrations moyennes obtenues par chaque laboratoire

Sources of the Levantine Intermediate Water in Winter 2019

International audienceClimatic changes and interannual variability in the Mediterranean overturning circulation are crucially linked to dense water formation in the Levantine Sea, namely the Levantine Intermediate Water whose formation zone, comprising multiple and intermittent sources, extends over fluctuating pathways. To probe into the variability of this water formation and spreading, a unique dataset was collected during the winter of 2019 in the western Levantine Sea, via oceanographic cruises, profiling floats and a glider, at a spatio-temporal distribution suited to resolve mesoscale circulation features and intermittent convection events. This study highlights the competition between two source regions, the Cretan Sea and the Rhodes Cyclonic Gyre, to supply the Mediterranean overturning circulation in Levantine Intermediate Water. The Cretan source was estimated as the most abundant, supported by increasingly saltier water masses coming from the Levantine Sea under the pumping effect of a water deficit caused by strong western outflow toward the Ionian Sea

Seawater physics and chemistry along the Med-SHIP transects in the Mediterranean Sea in 2016

The Mediterranean Sea has been sampled irregularly by research vessels in the past, mostly by national expeditions in regional waters. To monitor the hydrographic, biogeochemical and circulation changes in the Mediterranean Sea, a systematic repeat oceanographic survey programme called Med-SHIP was recommended by the Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM) in 2011, as part of the Global Ocean Ship-based Hydrographic Investigations Program (GO-SHIP). Med-SHIP consists of zonal and meridional surveys with different frequencies, where comprehensive physical and biogeochemical properties are measured with the highest international standards. The first zonal survey was done in 2011 and repeated in 2018. In addition, a network of meridional (and other key) hydrographic sections were designed: the first cycle of these sections was completed in 2016, with three cruises funded by the EU project EUROFLEETS2. This paper presents the physical and chemical data of the meridional and key transects in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean Sea collected during those cruises