The Modulation of Biological Production by Oceanic Mesoscale Turbulence - Archive ouverte HAL
Autre Publication Scientifique Transport and Mixing in Geophysical Flows, Lecture Notes in Physics Année : 2008

The Modulation of Biological Production by Oceanic Mesoscale Turbulence

Résumé

This chapter reviews the current state of knowledge on bio-physical interactions at mesoscale and at sub-mesoscale. It is focused on the mid-latitudes open ocean. From examples taken from my own studies or selected in the literature, I show how high-resolution process-oriented model studies have helped to improve our understanding. I follow a process oriented approach; I first discuss the role of mesoscale eddies in moderating the nutrient flux into the well-lit euphotic zone. Then I address the impact on biogeochemistry of transport occurring on a horizontal scale smaller than the scale of an eddy. I show that submesoscale processes modulate biogeochemical budgets in a number of ways, through intense upwelling of nutrients, subduction of phytoplankton, and horizontal stirring. Finally, I emphasize that mesoscale and submesoscale dynamics have a strong impact on productivity through their influence on the stratification of the surface of the ocean. These processes have in common that they concern the short-term, local effect of oceanic turbulence on biogeochemistry. Efforts are still needed before we can get a complete picture, which would also include the far-field long-term effect of the eddies.
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Dates et versions

hal-04110285 , version 1 (30-05-2023)

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Marina Lévy. The Modulation of Biological Production by Oceanic Mesoscale Turbulence. 2008, pp.219. ⟨hal-04110285⟩
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