Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-10-11255-2013
https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-10-11255-2013
08 Jul 2013
 | 08 Jul 2013
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal BG but the revision was not accepted.

Temperature and phytoplankton cell size regulate carbon uptake and carbon overconsumption in the ocean

S. E. Craig, H. Thomas, C. T. Jones, W. K. W. Li, B. J. W. Greenan, E. H. Shadwick, and W. J. Burt

Abstract. Phytoplankton plays a critical role in the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the ocean, and is comprised of a spectrum of cell sizes that are strongly associated with different oceanographic conditions. Studies suggest that the ocean will become increasingly stratified in response to a warming climate, limiting nutrient exchange to the upper sunlit ocean and favouring small cells able to grow in warmer, nutrient poor conditions. Here we show that, in a temperate shelf sea, a summertime population of numerically abundant small cells accounts for approximately 20% of annual carbon uptake. These small cells are not well represented by chlorophyll a – the ubiquitously used proxy of phytoplankton biomass – but rather, are strongly correlated with surface water temperature. Given the persistent near-zero nutrient concentrations during the summer, it appears that small cells drive carbon overconsumption, and suggest that their role in carbon fixation will become increasingly important in a warming ocean.

S. E. Craig, H. Thomas, C. T. Jones, W. K. W. Li, B. J. W. Greenan, E. H. Shadwick, and W. J. Burt
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
S. E. Craig, H. Thomas, C. T. Jones, W. K. W. Li, B. J. W. Greenan, E. H. Shadwick, and W. J. Burt
S. E. Craig, H. Thomas, C. T. Jones, W. K. W. Li, B. J. W. Greenan, E. H. Shadwick, and W. J. Burt

Viewed

Total article views: 2,767 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
1,470 1,215 82 2,767 62 64
  • HTML: 1,470
  • PDF: 1,215
  • XML: 82
  • Total: 2,767
  • BibTeX: 62
  • EndNote: 64
Views and downloads (calculated since 08 Jul 2013)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 08 Jul 2013)

Cited

Saved

Latest update: 28 Mar 2024
Download
Altmetrics