Publication Date:
2022-05-26
Description:
NSF Biology of the Biological Pump Workshop,
February 19–20, 2016 (Hyatt Place New Orleans, New Orleans, LA)
Description:
The net transfer of organic matter from the surface to the deep ocean is a key function of
ocean food webs. The combination of biological, physical, and chemical processes that
contribute to and control this export is collectively known as the “biological pump”, and current
estimates of the global magnitude of this export range from 5 – 12 Pg C yr-1. This material can
be exported in dissolved or particulate form, and many of the biological processes that regulate
the composition, quantity, timing, and distribution of this export are poorly understood or
constrained. Export of organic material is of fundamental importance to the biological and
chemical functioning of the ocean, supporting deep ocean food webs and controlling the
vertical and horizontal segregation of elements throughout the ocean. Remineralization of
exported organic matter in the upper mesopelagic zone provides nutrients for surface
production, while material exported to depths of 1000 m or more is generally considered to be
sequestered — i.e. out of contact with the atmosphere for centuries or longer.
The ability to accurately model a system is a reflection of the degree to which the system is
understood. In the case of export, semi-empirical and simple mechanistic models show a wide
range of predictive skill. This is, in part, due to the sparseness of available data, which impedes
our inability to accurately represent, or even include, all relevant processes (sometimes for
legitimate computational reasons). Predictions will remain uncertain without improved
understanding and parameterization of key biological processes affecting export.
Description:
Funding for this workshop was provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Coordination and logistical support for this workshop was provided by the Ocean Carbon and
Biogeochemistry (OCB) Program (www.us-ocb.org)
Repository Name:
Woods Hole Open Access Server
Type:
Book
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