Seasonal and diel variation in the open ocean concentration of marine snow aggregates

摘要: MARINE snow, generally defined as aggregated particles of diameter greater than 0.5 mm, is thought to play an important role in oceanic biogeochemical cycles1. Recent studies have focused on its unusual physical, biological and chemical properties but temporal variability has received scant attention2–6. Here we report observations the abundance, volume concentration size distribution marine snow over a five-month period at single site Northeast Atlantic. At depth 270 m, demonstrated strong seasonal diel variability. Volume concentrations spring were about 20 times those summer autumn with late morning up three higher other day. Our results suggest that forms result highly dynamic interactions particle pool. We believe mid-water biota their migratory behaviour are responsible for variability; they therefore likely significant influence hence open-ocean material flux.