Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Apr 2001
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001georl..28.1251l&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 28, Issue 7, p. 1251-1254
Mathematics
Logic
Oceanography: Physical: Air/Sea Interactions, Oceanography: Physical: Upper Ocean Processes, Oceanography: Biological And Chemical: Modeling, Oceanography: Biological And Chemical: Plankton
Scientific paper
A key biological link between ocean geochemical cycles, ocean color and sea surface temperature (SST) is the nitrogen-to-chlorophyll a (N:chl a) ratio of phytoplankton. This is because nitrogen is the limiting factor over approximately 2/3 of the ocean surface and light absorption depends on the concentration of chlorophyll a. Recent work has demonstrated systematic variability in this ratio. Using one-dimensional models at two locations we show that varying N:Chl a, rather than keeping a fixed mean value (0-150 m), leads to lower chlorophyll a in the mixed layer, less light absorption within the mixed layer and cooler sea surface temperatures. At the equator the temperature reduction is 0.15°C throughout the year whereas at 35°N, a temperature difference of about 1°C occurs during the summer. Although demonstrated at only two locations, this effect is likely to occur over large parts of the ocean.
Geider Richard J.
Lefèvre Nathalie
Taylor Arnold H.
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