Multi-proxy approach (Thorium-234, excess Barium) of export and remineralization fluxes of carbon and biogenic elements associated with the oceanic biological pump

• Main Author: Lemaitre, Nolwenn
• Other Authors: Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR) (LEMAR), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER)-Université de Brest (UBO)-Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université de Brest (UBO)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université de Brest (UBO)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Analytical, Environmental and Geo- Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Université de Bretagne occidentale - Brest, Frank Dehairs, Géraldine Sarthou
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2017
• Subjects: Oceanic biological pump; Export; Remineralization; Carbon; Trace elements; Biogenic silica; Calcium carbonate; Pompe biologique océanique; Reminéralisation; Carbone; Éléments traces; Silice biogénique; Carbonate de calcium; [CHIM.OTHE]Chemical Sciences/Other; Austral; Îles Kerguelen; Kerguelen; Kerguelen Island; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://theses.hal.science/tel-01578408; https://theses.hal.science/tel-01578408/document; https://theses.hal.science/tel-01578408/file/These-2017-EDSM-Chimie_marine-LEMAITRE_Nolwenn.pdf

The main objective of this thesis is to improve our understanding of the different controls that affect the oceanic biological carbon pump. Particulate export and remineralization fluxes were investigated using the thorium-234 (234Th) and biogenic barium (Baxs) proxies.In the North Atlantic, the highest particulate organic carbon (POC) export fluxes were associated to biogenic (biogenic silica or calcium carbonate) and lithogenic minerals, ballasting the particles.Export efficiency was generally low (< 10%) and inversely related to primary production, highlighting a phase lag between production and export. The highest transfer efficiencies, i.e. the fraction of POC that reached 400m, were driven by sinking particles ballasted by calcite or lithogenic minerals.The regional variation of mesopelagic remineralization was attributed to changes in bloom intensity, phytoplankton cell size, community structure and physical forcing (downwelling). Carbon remineralization balanced, or even exceeded, POC export, highlighting the impact of mesopelagic remineralization on the biological pump with a near-zero, deep carbon sequestration for spring 2014.Export of trace metals appeared strongly influenced by lithogenic material advected from the margins. However, at open ocean stations not influenced by lithogenic matter, trace metal export rather depended on phytoplankton activity and biomass.A last part of this work focused on export of biogenic silica, particulate nitrogen and iron near the Kerguelen Island. This area is characterized by a natural iron-fertilization that increases export fluxes. Inside the fertilized area, flux variability is related to phytoplankton community composition. L’objectif principal de cette thèse est de mieux comprendre les différents facteurs contrôlant la pompe biologique de carbone en Atlantique Nord et dans l’Océan Austral, à proximité des îles Kerguelen, en utilisant notamment deux approches: le Thorium-234 (234Th) et le baryum biogénique (Baxs).En Atlantique Nord, les flux d’export de ...