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Special Session 3: Size matters or not, particles export in marine environments |
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Characteristics of sinking particle export in the Amundsen Sea, Antarctica
Tuesday 10th @ 1110-1130
Room 4
Jeomshik Hwang* , Seoul National University
Dongseon Kim, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology
SangHoon Lee, Korea Polar Research Institute
Presenter Email: jeomshik@snu.ac.kr
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| Biogeochemical properties were examined on sinking particle samples collected by time-series sediment traps deployed at depths of 400-500 m from February 2012 for a year at three sites of distinct physical conditions of the surface water in the Amundsen Sea, Antarctica: in the sea ice zone, in the central Amundsen Sea polynya, and near the Dotson Ice Shelf within the polynya. Spatial variation in sinking POC (particulate organic carbon) flux inside the polynya reflected the heterogeneous primary production in the overlying surface waters. Export efficiency of sinking POC in the sea ice zone appears to be higher than inside the polynya, which is presumably related to higher contribution of diatoms to the primary production in the sea ice zone. Our data spanning over three austral summers suggested that both magnitude and initiation time of the high POC flux event in summer appear to be associated with the evolution of sea ice concentration in the overlying surface water. Especially in the sea ice zone, reduction in sea ice concentration when solar radiation is sufficient, is critical for enhanced POC production and export. |
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