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Satellite-detected fluorescence reveals global physiology of ocean phytoplankton
1Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Cordley Hall 2082, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-2902, USA
2School of Marine Sciences, 5706 Aubert Hall, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469-5741, USA
3Institute for Computational Earth System Science and Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-3060, USA
4Department of Marine Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, 1020 Balch Blvd., Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-9904, USA
5NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
6Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole, MA 02543-1543, USA
7Department of Earth System Science, 3214 Croul Hall, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3100, USA
8Cornell University, 2140 Snee Hall, Ithaca, NY 14850 15, USA
Abstract. Phytoplankton photosynthesis links global ocean biology and climate-driven fluctuations in the physical environment. These interactions are largely expressed through changes in phytoplankton physiology, but physiological status has proven extremely challenging to characterize globally. Phytoplankton fluorescence does provide a rich source of physiological information long exploited in laboratory and field studies, and is now observed from space. Here we use satellite-based fluorescence measurements to evaluate light-absorption and energy-dissipation processes influencing phytoplankton light use efficiency and demonstrate its utility as a global physiological indicator of iron-limited growth conditions. This new tool provides a path for monitoring climate-phytoplankton physiology interactions, improving descriptions of light use efficiency in ocean productivity models, evaluating nutrient-stress predictions in ocean ecosystem models, and appraising phytoplankton responses to natural iron enrichments or purposeful iron fertilizations activities.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 2074 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 5 Comments) Final Revised Paper (BG)
Citation: Behrenfeld, M. J., Westberry, T. K., Boss, E. S., O'Malley, R. T., Siegel, D. A., Wiggert, J. D., Franz, B. A., McClain, C. R., Feldman, G. C., Doney, S. C., Moore, J. K., Dall'Olmo, G., Milligan, A. J., Lima, I., and Mahowald, N.: Satellite-detected fluorescence reveals global physiology of ocean phytoplankton, Biogeosciences Discuss., 5, 4235-4270, 2008. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager
