Title
Jelly biomass sinking speed reveals a fast carbon export mechanism
Document Type
Data
DOI
PANGAEA.831964
Publication Date
11-17-2013
Description
Abstract: Sinking of gelatinous zooplankton biomass is an important component of the biological pump removing carbon from the upper ocean. The export efficiency, e.g., how much biomass reaches the ocean interior sequestering carbon, is poorly known because of the absence of reliable sinking speed data. We measured sinking rates of gelatinous particulate organic matter (jelly-POM) from different species of scyphozoans, ctenophores, thaliaceans, and pteropods, both in the field and in the laboratory in vertical columns filled with seawater using high-quality video. Using these data, we determined taxon-specific jelly-POM export efficiencies using equations that integrate biomass decay rate, seawater temperature, and sinking speed. Two depth scenarios in several environments were considered, with jelly-POM sinking from 200 and 600 m in temperate, tropical, and polar regions. Jelly-POM sank on average between 850 and 1500 m/d (salps: 800-1200 m/d; ctenophores: 1200-1500 m/d; scyphozoans: 1000-1100 m d; pyrosomes: 1300 m/d). High latitudes represent a fast-sinking and low-remineralization corridor, regardless of species. In tropical and temperate regions, significant decomposition takes place above 1500 m unless jelly-POM sinks below the permanent thermocline. Sinking jelly-POM sequesters carbon to the deep ocean faster than anticipated, and should be incorporated into biogeochemical and modeling studies to provide more realistic quantification of export via the biological carbon pump worldwide. Category: geoscientificInformation Source: Supplement to: Lebrato, Mario; Mendes, Pedro André; Steinberg, Deborah K; Birsa, Laura M; Benavides, Mar; Oschlies, Andreas (2013): Jelly biomass sinking speed reveals a fast carbon export mechanism. Limnology and Oceanography, 58(3), 1113-1122, https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2013.58.3.1113 Supplemental Information: Not Availble Coverage: Not Available
Publisher
PANGAEA
Language
eng
Recommended Citation
Oschlies, Andreas; Steinberg, Deborah K.; Benavides, Roberto; Jones, Bethan M.; de Jesus Mendes, Pedro; Birsa, Laura M.; Cartes, Joan E.; Lebrato, Mario (2013), "Jelly biomass sinking speed reveals a fast carbon export mechanism", PANGAEA, doi: 10.1594/PANGAEA.831964
https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.831964
Source Link
https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.831964
