Variability in phytoplankton community structure in response to the North Atlantic Oscillation and implications for organic carbon flux
The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is a major mode of variability in the North Atlantic, dominating atmospheric and oceanic conditions. Here, we examine the phytoplankton community‐structure response to the NAO using the Continuous Plankton Recorder data set. In the Northeast Atlantic, in the tran...
Published in: | Limnology and Oceanography |
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crwiley:10.4319/lo.2012.57.6.1591 2024-09-30T14:39:16+00:00 Variability in phytoplankton community structure in response to the North Atlantic Oscillation and implications for organic carbon flux Henson, Stephanie Lampitt, Richard Johns, David 2012 http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.2012.57.6.1591 https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.4319%2Flo.2012.57.6.1591 https://aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.4319/lo.2012.57.6.1591 en eng Wiley http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor Limnology and Oceanography volume 57, issue 6, page 1591-1601 ISSN 0024-3590 1939-5590 journal-article 2012 crwiley https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2012.57.6.1591 2024-09-11T04:16:18Z The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is a major mode of variability in the North Atlantic, dominating atmospheric and oceanic conditions. Here, we examine the phytoplankton community‐structure response to the NAO using the Continuous Plankton Recorder data set. In the Northeast Atlantic, in the transition region between the gyres, variability in the relative influence of subpolar or subtropical‐like conditions is reflected in the physical environment. During positive NAO periods, the region experiences subpolar‐like conditions, with strong wind stress and deep mixed layers. In contrast, during negative NAO periods, the region shifts toward more subtropical‐like conditions. Diatoms dominate the phytoplankton community in positive NAO periods, whereas in negative NAO periods, dinoflagellates outcompete diatoms. The implications for interannual variability in deep ocean carbon flux are examined using data from the Porcupine Abyssal Plain time‐series station. Contrary to expectations, carbon flux to 3000 m is enhanced when diatoms are outcompeted by other phytoplankton functional types. Additionally, highest carbon fluxes were not associated with an increase in biomineral content, which implies that ballasting is not playing a dominant role in controlling the flux of material to the deep ocean in this region. In transition zones between gyre systems, phytoplankton populations can change in response to forcing induced by opposing NAO phases. Article in Journal/Newspaper North Atlantic North Atlantic oscillation Northeast Atlantic Wiley Online Library Limnology and Oceanography 57 6 1591 1601 |
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Open Polar |
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Wiley Online Library |
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crwiley |
language |
English |
description |
The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is a major mode of variability in the North Atlantic, dominating atmospheric and oceanic conditions. Here, we examine the phytoplankton community‐structure response to the NAO using the Continuous Plankton Recorder data set. In the Northeast Atlantic, in the transition region between the gyres, variability in the relative influence of subpolar or subtropical‐like conditions is reflected in the physical environment. During positive NAO periods, the region experiences subpolar‐like conditions, with strong wind stress and deep mixed layers. In contrast, during negative NAO periods, the region shifts toward more subtropical‐like conditions. Diatoms dominate the phytoplankton community in positive NAO periods, whereas in negative NAO periods, dinoflagellates outcompete diatoms. The implications for interannual variability in deep ocean carbon flux are examined using data from the Porcupine Abyssal Plain time‐series station. Contrary to expectations, carbon flux to 3000 m is enhanced when diatoms are outcompeted by other phytoplankton functional types. Additionally, highest carbon fluxes were not associated with an increase in biomineral content, which implies that ballasting is not playing a dominant role in controlling the flux of material to the deep ocean in this region. In transition zones between gyre systems, phytoplankton populations can change in response to forcing induced by opposing NAO phases. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Henson, Stephanie Lampitt, Richard Johns, David |
spellingShingle |
Henson, Stephanie Lampitt, Richard Johns, David Variability in phytoplankton community structure in response to the North Atlantic Oscillation and implications for organic carbon flux |
author_facet |
Henson, Stephanie Lampitt, Richard Johns, David |
author_sort |
Henson, Stephanie |
title |
Variability in phytoplankton community structure in response to the North Atlantic Oscillation and implications for organic carbon flux |
title_short |
Variability in phytoplankton community structure in response to the North Atlantic Oscillation and implications for organic carbon flux |
title_full |
Variability in phytoplankton community structure in response to the North Atlantic Oscillation and implications for organic carbon flux |
title_fullStr |
Variability in phytoplankton community structure in response to the North Atlantic Oscillation and implications for organic carbon flux |
title_full_unstemmed |
Variability in phytoplankton community structure in response to the North Atlantic Oscillation and implications for organic carbon flux |
title_sort |
variability in phytoplankton community structure in response to the north atlantic oscillation and implications for organic carbon flux |
publisher |
Wiley |
publishDate |
2012 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.2012.57.6.1591 https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.4319%2Flo.2012.57.6.1591 https://aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.4319/lo.2012.57.6.1591 |
genre |
North Atlantic North Atlantic oscillation Northeast Atlantic |
genre_facet |
North Atlantic North Atlantic oscillation Northeast Atlantic |
op_source |
Limnology and Oceanography volume 57, issue 6, page 1591-1601 ISSN 0024-3590 1939-5590 |
op_rights |
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2012.57.6.1591 |
container_title |
Limnology and Oceanography |
container_volume |
57 |
container_issue |
6 |
container_start_page |
1591 |
op_container_end_page |
1601 |
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1811641821856530432 |