Plankton dynamics and biogeochemical fluxes in the Costa Rica Dome: introduction to the CRD Flux and Zinc Experiments

摘要: The Costa Rica Dome (CRD) is an open-ocean upwelling system in the Eastern Tropical Pacific that overlies ocean's largest oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). region has unique characteristics, biomass dominance by picophytoplankton, suppressed diatoms, high of higher consumers and presumptive trace metal limitation, but poorly understood terms pelagic stock process relationships, including productivity production controls. Here, we describe goals, project design, physical context major findings Flux Zinc Experiments cruise conducted June-July 2010 to assess trophic flux relationships elemental controls on phytoplankton CRD. Despite sampling during a year summertime surface chlorophyll, results show (∼1 g C m-2 day-1), new relative export, balanced grazing, disproportionate biomass-specific large zooplankton stocks. concentrations are low waters phosphorous silicate other regions, providing conditions conducive like Synechococcus, with Zn requirements. nonetheless highlight limitation or co-limitation silicic acid, driven strong silica pump linked dissolution biogenic cold shallow thermocline lower euphotic zone.