Evaluating Optical Proxies of Particulate Organic Carbon across the Surface Atlantic Ocean

Empirical relationships between particulate organic carbon (POC) and inherent optical properties (IOPs) are required for estimating POC from ocean-colour remote sensing and autonomous platforms. The main relationships studied are those between POC and particulate attenuation (cp) and backscattering (bbp) coefficients. The parameters of these relationships can however differ considerably due to differences in the methodologies applied for measuring IOPs and POC as well as variations in particle characteristics. Therefore it is important to assess existing relationships and explore new optical proxies of POC. In this study, we evaluated empirical relationships between surface POC and IOPs (cp, bbp and the particulate absorption coefficient, ap) using an extensive dataset collected during two Atlantic Meridional Transect (AMT 19 and 22) cruises spanning a wide range of oceanographic regimes. IOPs and POC were measured during the two cruises using consistent methodologies. To independently assess the accuracy of the POC-IOPs relationships, we predicted surface POC for AMT-22 using relationships developed based on independent data from AMT-19. We found typical biases in predicting POC ranging between 2-3%, 4-9%, and 6-13% for cp, bbp and ap, respectively, and typical random uncertainties of 20-30%. We conclude that 1) accurate POC-cp and POC-bbp relationships were obtained due to the consistent methodologies used to estimate POC and IOPs and 2) ap could be considered as an alternative optical proxy for POC in open-ocean waters, only if all physiological variability in the POC:chl ratio could be modeled and used to correct ap

Global-scale variations of the ratios of carbon to phosphorus in exported marine organic matter

The ratio of carbon (C) to phosphorus (P) in marine phytoplankton is thought to be constant throughout the worlds'oceans. Known as the Redfield ratio, this relationship describes the links between carbon and phosphorus cycling and marine ecosystems. However, variations in the stoichiometry of phytoplankton have recently been identified, in particular strong latitudinal variability. Here we assess the impact of this variability in the C:P ratio of biomass on the C:P ratio of organic matter that is exported to the deep ocean using a biogeochemical inverse-model based on a data-constrained ocean circulation model and a global database of dissolved inorganic carbon and phosphate measurements. We identify global patterns of variability in the C:P ratios of exported organic matter, with higher values in the nutrient-depleted subtropical gyres, where organic matter export is relatively low, and lower ratios in nutrient-rich upwelling zones and high-latitude regions, where organic matter export is high. This suggests that total carbon export is relatively constant throughout the oceans, in agreement with recent estimates of carbon fluxes. We conclude that the latitudinal patterns of C:P in exported organic matter are consistent with the large-scale stoichiometric variations in phytoplankton C:P. We suggest that a future expansion of nutrient-depleted waters could result in a shift to more efficient C export that compensates for the expected decline in productivity

Abundances of Iron-Binding Photosynthetic and Nitrogen-Fixing Proteins of Trichodesmium Both in Culture and In Situ from the North Atlantic

Marine cyanobacteria of the genus Trichodesmium occur throughout the oligotrophic tropical and subtropical oceans, where they can dominate the diazotrophic community in regions with high inputs of the trace metal iron (Fe). Iron is necessary for the functionality of enzymes involved in the processes of both photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. We combined laboratory and field-based quantifications of the absolute concentrations of key enzymes involved in both photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation to determine how Trichodesmium allocates resources to these processes. We determined that protein level responses of Trichodesmium to iron-starvation involve down-regulation of the nitrogen fixation apparatus. In contrast, the photosynthetic apparatus is largely maintained, although re-arrangements do occur, including accumulation of the iron-stress-induced chlorophyll-binding protein IsiA. Data from natural populations of Trichodesmium spp. collected in the North Atlantic demonstrated a protein profile similar to iron-starved Trichodesmium in culture, suggestive of acclimation towards a minimal iron requirement even within an oceanic region receiving a high iron-flux. Estimates of cellular metabolic iron requirements are consistent with the availability of this trace metal playing a major role in restricting the biomass and activity of Trichodesmium throughout much of the subtropical ocean

The North Atlantic Aerosol and Marine Ecosystem Study (NAAMES): Science Motive and Mission Overview

The North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystems Study (NAAMES) is an interdisciplinary investigation to improve understanding of Earth's ocean ecosystem-aerosol-cloud system. Specific overarching science objectives for NAAMES are to (1) characterize plankton ecosystem properties during primary phases of the annual cycle and their dependence on environmental forcings, (2) determine how these phases interact to recreate each year the conditions for an annual plankton bloom, and (3) resolve how remote marine aerosols and boundary layer clouds are influenced by plankton ecosystems. Four NAAMES field campaigns were conducted in the western subarctic Atlantic between November 2015 and April 2018, with each campaign targeting specific seasonal events in the annual plankton cycle. A broad diversity of measurements were collected during each campaign, including ship, aircraft, autonomous float and drifter, and satellite observations. Here, we present an overview of NAAMES science motives, experimental design, and measurements. We then briefly describe conditions and accomplishments during each of the four field campaigns and provide information on how to access NAAMES data. The intent of this manuscript is to familiarize the broad scientific community with NAAMES and to provide a common reference overview of the project for upcoming publications

The North Atlantic Aerosol and Marine Ecosystem Study (NAAMES): Science Motive and Mission Overview

The North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystems Study (NAAMES) is an interdisciplinary investigation to improve understanding of Earth's ocean ecosystem-aerosol-cloud system. Specific overarching science objectives for NAAMES are to (1) characterize plankton ecosystem properties during primary phases of the annual cycle and their dependence on environmental forcings, (2) determine how these phases interact to recreate each year the conditions for an annual plankton bloom, and (3) resolve how remote marine aerosols and boundary layer clouds are influenced by plankton ecosystems. Four NAAMES field campaigns were conducted in the western subarctic Atlantic between November 2015 and April 2018, with each campaign targeting specific seasonal events in the annual plankton cycle. A broad diversity of measurements were collected during each campaign, including ship, aircraft, autonomous float and drifter, and satellite observations. Here, we present an overview of NAAMES science motives, experimental design, and measurements. We then briefly describe conditions and accomplishments during each of the four field campaigns and provide information on how to access NAAMES data. The intent of this manuscript is to familiarize the broad scientific community with NAAMES and to provide a common reference overview of the project for upcoming publications

Particulate optical scattering coefficients along an Atlantic Meridional Transect

The particulate optical backscattering coefficient (bbp) is a fundamental optical property that allows monitoring of marine suspended particles both in situ and from space. Backscattering measurements in the open ocean are still scarce, however, especially in oligotrophic regions. Consequently, uncertainties remain in bbp parameterizations as well as in satellite estimates of bbp. In an effort to reduce these uncertainties, we present and analyze a dataset collected in surface waters during the 19th Atlantic Meridional Transect. Results show that the relationship between particulate beam-attenuation coefficient (cp) and chlorophyll-a concentration was consistent with published bio-optical models. In contrast, the particulate backscattering per unit of chlorophyll-a and per unit of cp were higher than in previous studies employing the same sampling methodology. These anomalies could be due to a bias smaller than the current uncertainties in bbp. If that was the case, then the AMT19 dataset would confirm that bbp:cp is remarkably constant over the surface open ocean. A second-order decoupling between bbp and cp was, however, evident in the spectral slopes of these coefficients, as well as during diel cycles. Overall, these results emphasize the current difficulties in obtaining accurate bbp measurements in the oligotrophic ocean and suggest that, to first order, bbp and cp are coupled in the surface open ocean, but they are also affected by other geographical and temporal variations

Photoacclimation of natural phytoplankton communities

Phytoplankton regulate internal pigment concentrations in response to light and nutrient availability. Chlorophyll to carbon ratios (Chl:Cphyto) are commonly reported as a function of growth irradiance (Eg) for evaluating the photoacclimation response of phytoplankton. In contrast to most culture experiments, natural phytoplankton communities experience fluctuating environmental conditions making it difficult to compare field and lab observations. Observing and understanding photoacclimation in nature is important for deciphering changes in Chl:Cphyto resulting from environmental forcings and for accurately estimating net primary production (NPP) in models which rely on a parameterized description of photoacclimation. Here we employ direct analytical measurements of Cphyto and parallel high-resolution biomass estimates from particulate backscattering (bbp) and flow cytometry to investigate Chl:Cphyto in natural phytoplankton communities. Chl:Cphyto observed over a wide range of Eg in the field was consistent with photoacclimation responses inferred from satellite observations. Field-based photoacclimation observations for a mixed natural community contrast with laboratory results for single species grown in continuous light and nutrient replete conditions. Applying a carbon-based net primary production (NPP) model to our field data for a north-south transect in the Atlantic Ocean results in estimates that closely match 14C depth-integrated NPP for the same cruise and with historical records for the distinct biogeographic regions of the Atlantic Ocean. Our results are consistent with previous satellite and model observations of cells growing in natural or fluctuating light and showcase how direct measurements of Cphyto can be applied to explore phytoplankton photophysiology, growth rates, and production at high spatial resolution in-situ