Modelling the Role of Macrozooplankton in the Southern Ocean Biogeochemistry

• Main Authors: Karakus, Onur, Völker, Christoph, Iversen, Morten, Wolf-Gladrow, Dieter, Hagen, Wilhelm, Fach, Bettina, Hauck, Judith
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctic; Antarctic Krill; Southern Ocean
• Online Access: https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/55558/; https://www.amemr.com/programme.html; https://hdl.handle.net/10013/epic.74499695-2dc8-4ecb-a17c-027787228510

In this study, we investigate the role of macrozooplankton in the biogeochemistry of the Southern Ocean using a three-dimensional global ocean ecosystem model (FESOM- REcoM2). The macrozooplankton group was parameterized according to characteristics of Antarctic krill and a related fast-sinking detritus class (larger particles, e.g. fecal pellets) was introduced in the model. It was then analyzed how the ecosystem structure and major carbon export pathways in the Southern Ocean changed through this extension of the model. The spatial distribution of macrozooplankton biomass in the Southern Ocean was reproduced reasonably well. Preliminary results showed that the zooplankton proportion of living compartments (phytoplankton and zooplankton groups) in the model increased. Thus, zooplankton contribution to the particulate organic carbon (POC) flux increased. The contribution of macrozooplankton to POC export at 100 m depth was 0.12 Pg C per year or 15% of total export in the Southern Ocean. The transfer efficiency of organic carbon nearly doubled and reached up to 50% in regions with high macrozooplankton biomass. These results emphasize the important role of macrozooplankton in the Southern Ocean carbon cycle and have implications for studies of the biological carbon pump.