Global Variability of Optical Backscattering by Non‐algal particles From a Biogeochemical‐Argo Data Set

Abstract Understanding spatial and temporal dynamics of non‐algal particles in open ocean is of the utmost importance to improve estimations of carbon export and sequestration. These particles covary with phytoplankton abundance but also accumulate independently of algal dynamics. The latter likely...

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Main Authors: M. Bellacicco, M. Cornec, E. Organelli, R. J. W. Brewin, G. Neukermans, G. Volpe, M. Barbieux, A. Poteau, C. Schmechtig, F. D'Ortenzio, S. Marullo, H. Claustre, J. Pitarch
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-08-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL084078
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author M. Bellacicco
M. Cornec
E. Organelli
R. J. W. Brewin
G. Neukermans
G. Volpe
M. Barbieux
A. Poteau
C. Schmechtig
F. D'Ortenzio
S. Marullo
H. Claustre
J. Pitarch
author_facet M. Bellacicco
M. Cornec
E. Organelli
R. J. W. Brewin
G. Neukermans
G. Volpe
M. Barbieux
A. Poteau
C. Schmechtig
F. D'Ortenzio
S. Marullo
H. Claustre
J. Pitarch
author_sort M. Bellacicco
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Understanding spatial and temporal dynamics of non‐algal particles in open ocean is of the utmost importance to improve estimations of carbon export and sequestration. These particles covary with phytoplankton abundance but also accumulate independently of algal dynamics. The latter likely represents an important fraction of organic carbon, but it is largely overlooked. A possible way to study these particles is via their optical backscattering properties (bbp) and relationship with chlorophyll‐a (Chl). To this aim, we estimate the fraction of bbp associated with the non‐algal particle portion ( bbpk) that does not covary with Chl by using a global Biogeochemical‐Argo data set. We quantify the spatial, temporal, and vertical variability of bbpk. In the northern productive areas, bbpk is a small fraction of bbp and shows a clear seasonal cycle. In the Southern Ocean, bkbp is a major fraction of total bbp. In oligotrophic areas, bbpk has a smooth annual cycle.
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spelling doaj-art-25f40be454dc42ee8ec14b0a79d83bcf2025-08-20T02:24:35ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072019-08-0146169767977610.1029/2019GL084078Global Variability of Optical Backscattering by Non‐algal particles From a Biogeochemical‐Argo Data SetM. Bellacicco0M. Cornec1E. Organelli2R. J. W. Brewin3G. Neukermans4G. Volpe5M. Barbieux6A. Poteau7C. Schmechtig8F. D'Ortenzio9S. Marullo10H. Claustre11J. Pitarch12Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) Frascati ItalySorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche Villefranche‐sur‐Mer FranceSorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche Villefranche‐sur‐Mer FranceCollege of Life and Environmental Science University of Exeter Exeter UKSorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche Villefranche‐sur‐Mer FranceInstitute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR)‐CNR Rome ItalySorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche Villefranche‐sur‐Mer FranceSorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche Villefranche‐sur‐Mer FranceSorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche Villefranche‐sur‐Mer FranceSorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche Villefranche‐sur‐Mer FranceItalian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) Frascati ItalySorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche Villefranche‐sur‐Mer FranceDepartment of Coastal Systems NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Utrecht University Texel the NetherlandsAbstract Understanding spatial and temporal dynamics of non‐algal particles in open ocean is of the utmost importance to improve estimations of carbon export and sequestration. These particles covary with phytoplankton abundance but also accumulate independently of algal dynamics. The latter likely represents an important fraction of organic carbon, but it is largely overlooked. A possible way to study these particles is via their optical backscattering properties (bbp) and relationship with chlorophyll‐a (Chl). To this aim, we estimate the fraction of bbp associated with the non‐algal particle portion ( bbpk) that does not covary with Chl by using a global Biogeochemical‐Argo data set. We quantify the spatial, temporal, and vertical variability of bbpk. In the northern productive areas, bbpk is a small fraction of bbp and shows a clear seasonal cycle. In the Southern Ocean, bkbp is a major fraction of total bbp. In oligotrophic areas, bbpk has a smooth annual cycle.https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL084078non‐algal particlesoptical backscatteringglobal oceanBGC‐Argo floats
spellingShingle M. Bellacicco
M. Cornec
E. Organelli
R. J. W. Brewin
G. Neukermans
G. Volpe
M. Barbieux
A. Poteau
C. Schmechtig
F. D'Ortenzio
S. Marullo
H. Claustre
J. Pitarch
Global Variability of Optical Backscattering by Non‐algal particles From a Biogeochemical‐Argo Data Set
Geophysical Research Letters
non‐algal particles
optical backscattering
global ocean
BGC‐Argo floats
title Global Variability of Optical Backscattering by Non‐algal particles From a Biogeochemical‐Argo Data Set
title_full Global Variability of Optical Backscattering by Non‐algal particles From a Biogeochemical‐Argo Data Set
title_fullStr Global Variability of Optical Backscattering by Non‐algal particles From a Biogeochemical‐Argo Data Set
title_full_unstemmed Global Variability of Optical Backscattering by Non‐algal particles From a Biogeochemical‐Argo Data Set
title_short Global Variability of Optical Backscattering by Non‐algal particles From a Biogeochemical‐Argo Data Set
title_sort global variability of optical backscattering by non algal particles from a biogeochemical argo data set
topic non‐algal particles
optical backscattering
global ocean
BGC‐Argo floats
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL084078
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