80NSSC17K0663

We propose to implement a multi-platform multi-scale multi-month autonomous array at two exports sites to measure upper ocean community structure sinking cells aggregates and fecal pellets physical export and migrating zooplankton. These observations will complement ship-based programs by spanning a wider range of ecosystem states and providing a diverse dataset for exports modeling.

The measurements will resolve evolution of dominant pathways and quantify fluxes for carbon export from the euphotic zone to the upper twilight zone as well as attenuation flux in the upper twilight zone. This effort will also demonstrate the capability to measure export fluxes using a combination of in situ measurements and satellite remote sensing thus serving as a prototype for future operational systems.

We hypothesize that dominant export pathways and efficiencies differ between Atlantic and Pacific sites based on relative phasing of net community production (NCP) and carbon export (EZ) from the euphotic zone. In the Pacific, where NCP and EZ vary in phase, export will be dominated by zooplankton diel migration and slow-sinking pellet fluxes with a smaller role for physical export and a weaker export efficiency. In contrast, decoupling of NCP and EZ in the Atlantic will produce both more variable and more efficient export associated with fast-sinking aggregates physical transport and low respiration rates.

Small-scale physical and ecosystem variations in the Atlantic will enhance submesoscale eddy flux which may constitute up to half of total export during springtime restratification. We propose that similar in situ measurements will permit improved export predictions in other oceanic regions based on remote-sensing observations.

University Of Washington

43.001 - Science

Shared Services Center (NSSC) [NASA]

Seattle, Washington 98195-0001 United States

Single Zip Code

None

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 09/07/20 to 01/31/24 and the total obligations have increased 333% from $755,913 to $3,274,262.