Mechanical shortcut' rapidly carries organic particles into the deep ocean
The processes that capture carbon from the atmosphere and store it on the seabed are crucial for climate balance. However, assessing these mechanisms is often complicated because it requires measurements ranging from the surface to the deep ocean.
A groundbreaking study published in Science Advances, led by the Institute of Marine Sciences and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, has unveiled a previously unknown mechanism for transporting organic particles into the deep ocean. This "mechanical shortcut" occurs during intense winter upwelling in regions like the subpolar North Atlantic, where cold, strong winds cause surface water to sink rapidly.
This process, known as "deep convection," rapidly delivers nutrient-rich organic particles, including microalgae and organic debris, to depths greater than 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) more efficiently than the traditional sedimentation process. The research combines real-world data from autonomous underwater robots called Biogeochemical-Argo floats with computer simulations to quantify the scale of this phenomenon.
During the harshest winters, the transport of organic particles is estimated to double, and the carbon sequestered through this mechanism does not remain stagnant but is laterally distributed and stored in other regions of the ocean, prolonging its positive impact on climate regulation. This discovery highlights the importance of deep convection in supporting deep-sea ecosystems and enhancing the ocean's capacity to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.
However, the study also emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring and improved modeling of this phenomenon to better understand and predict the effects of climate change on the ocean and global climate.
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