Small-scale oxygen fluxes and remineralization in sinking aggregates

摘要: Sinking aggregates are the major component of vertical particulate flux in most regions ocean. Controlling factors for aggregate remineralization rates and solute exchange with surrounding water, however, poorly quantified because few empirical data. To study role flow diffusion on rates, oxygen distributions were mapped within around by use microelectrodes a field similar to that experienced sinking aggregates. The distribution was asymmetrical wake undersaturated water at rear (downstream) Oxygen concentrations .80% air saturation. diffusive fluxes aggregate-water interface along equator downstream pole wide range different sources (field-sampled diatom aggregates, lab-made formed from freeze-thawed diatoms, zooplankton detritus aggregates) measured various temperatures. Remineralization reaction limited and, hence, determined substrate quality quantity rather than transport-limited supply during sedimentation ambient above ;25 mM.