Southern Oligotrophic Gyre
Currently comprising a sediment trap mooring with current sensors it is situated in the middle of the least productive gyre in the South Atlantic but in contrast to NOG, an observatory in the North Atlantic oligotrophic gyre, it is not influenced by dust supply.
Infrastructure Location
SOG
-18.53
-25.1
Study Area
Location |
Southern Oligotrophic Gyre |
Distance from Land |
1500 km |
Max Depth |
5300 m |
Oceanographic features of area |
The southern oligotrophic gyre in the South Atlantic is not influenced by dust supply. This is in contrast to NOG, an observatory in the North Atlantic oligotrophic gyre, |
Relevant publications isi journals |
|
Relevant publications proceedings published in the context of conference |
Pabortsava, K., National Oceanography Centre Southampton, United Kingdom, K.Pabortsava@noc.soton.ac.uk
Lampitt, R. S., National Oceanography Centre Southampton, United Kingdom, r.lampitt@noc.ac.uk
Poulton, A. J., National Oceanography Centre Southampton, United Kingdom, alex.poulton@noc.ac.uk
NOVEL INSIGHTS INTO TEMPORAL VARIATIONS IN CARBON SEQUESTRATION FLUXES IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH ATLANTIC OLIGOTROPHIC GYRES
The oligotrophic gyres occupy >40% of the Earth’s surface; thus, even relatively low carbon exports in these immense ocean provinces may significantly contribute to the global carbon budget. While surface ocean biology is very similar between two Atlantic central gyres, there is an established spatio-temporal variability in their upper ocean biogeochemistry. Presence of such a signature in the deep ocean has long been unknown due to a lack of direct measurements. A unique set of sediment trap samples was collected in the centres of the South and North Atlantic oligotrophic gyres at 3000m depth during 2007-2010. These extraordinary locations are on the annually repeated Atlantic Meridional Transect (AMT) line providing spatial context. Examination of trap material showed large inter-basin differences in downward particle flux and material composition, showing that biogeochemical differences translate into different export and sequestration scenarios, despite the similarity in surface ocean biology. With the predicted expansion of the oligotrophic oceans, such differences in carbon sequestration fluxes introduce a new perspective on the critical role of nutrient-limited waters in global carbon cycle and sinks of atmospheric CO2.
ASLo 2013, Oral presentation
Session #:SS16
Date: 2/21/2013 |
Scientific Researchers
Name |
Email |
Corinne Pebody |
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Status / Maintenance
System Status |
Operational |
Planned Frequency |
18 month(s) |
Platform Required |
Deep Sea Research Vessel |
People Involved |
6 |
Duration of Operations |
1 day(s) |
Cleaning |
Yes |
Replacments |
Yes |
Download Data |
Yes |
Data Information
TNA
Avaliable for TNA |
No |
Prefered time period for TNA |
|
TNA Support offered |
|
Services Available |
|
Potential Additional Uses |
|
Data Ports |
- |
Availability of External Power |
|
Instrument installation methodology |
|
Data History |
|
Instrument installation methodology |
- |
Observatory maintenance estimated or planned schedules |
|
Data policy and access |
|
Additional comments |
|
Modality of access |
|
Sensors
Deployed |
02/05/2008 |
Planned |
31/03/2014 |
Instrument/Sensor Type |
McLane sediment trap |
Parameter(s) |
Particle Flux |
Platform |
Mooring |
Manufacturer |
McLane |
Instrument/Sensor documentation (URL) |
|
Sensor Type / Model |
Sediment trap |
Power Supply |
battery |
Approximate Depth / Height |
3000 |
Sampling interval |
28 second(s) |
Calibration Samples Available |
Yes |
Frequency of Calibration Samples |
|
Intercalibration Available |
No |
Intercalibration Platform |
|
Intercalibration Frequency |
|
Problems |
|
Solution Adopted |
|
Datasheet URL |
|
Comments |
|
Deployed |
02/05/2008 |
Planned |
31/03/2014 |
Instrument/Sensor Type |
current mater |
Parameter(s) |
Currents |
Platform |
Mooring |
Manufacturer |
Aanderaa |
Instrument/Sensor documentation (URL) |
|
Sensor Type / Model |
rcm8 |
Power Supply |
battery |
Approximate Depth / Height |
3000 |
Sampling interval |
30 second(s) |
Calibration Samples Available |
Yes |
Frequency of Calibration Samples |
|
Intercalibration Available |
No |
Intercalibration Platform |
|
Intercalibration Frequency |
|
Problems |
|
Solution Adopted |
|
Datasheet URL |
|
Comments |
|
Deployed |
12/02/2014 |
Planned |
31/03/2014 |
Instrument/Sensor Type |
microcat |
Parameter(s) |
CTD |
Platform |
Mooring |
Manufacturer |
seabird |
Instrument/Sensor documentation (URL) |
|
Sensor Type / Model |
sbe |
Power Supply |
battery |
Approximate Depth / Height |
100 |
Sampling interval |
30 second(s) |
Calibration Samples Available |
Yes |
Frequency of Calibration Samples |
|
Intercalibration Available |
Yes |
Intercalibration Platform |
|
Intercalibration Frequency |
|
Problems |
|
Solution Adopted |
|
Datasheet URL |
|
Comments |
|