Do Diel Biogeochemical Cycles in the Subtropical Front Persist Across Ocean Basins?
durch
5-1.213 - PAZIFIK / PACIFIC- Rechte Seite - Großer, unterteilbarer Konferenzraum
GEOMAR - Standort Ostufer / GEOMAR - East Shore
Abstract
The subtropical front is a latitudinal band where subtropical and subantarctic water masses converge, enhancing phytoplankton production and overall biological activity. In 2020, we investigated diel cycling of organic matter and the formation of secondary aerosols in the subtropical front of the Pacific Ocean (Sea2Cloud, RV Tangaroa). We observed a previously unrecognized but pronounced diel cycling of dissolved phytoplankton products, potentially linked to aerosol precursor formation and cloud-relevant processes. We hypothesized that viral lysis drives the nighttime release of bioavailable amino acids, stimulating microbial degradation and the production of nitrate-enriched secondary aerosol precursors.
To assess whether similar small-scale biogeochemical patterns occur across regions and time, a team from GEOMAR conducted a campaign in 2025 across the subtropical front of the Indian Ocean (SOPHYAC-light, RV Marion Dufresne II). Our participation was supported by the GEOMAR Flexible Funds for Postdoctoral Activities. In the upcoming RD2 seminar, I will present our preliminary results.
Seminar link
https://geomar.webex.com/geomar/j.php?MTID=ma522f5f4b0af40855947a88dcf5482d3
RD2 Office