Premium
On the physical and biogeochemical processes driving the high frequency variability of CO 2 fugacity at 6°S, 10°W: P otential role of the internal waves
Author(s) -
Parard Gaëlle,
Boutin J.,
Cuypers Y.,
BouruetAubertot P.,
Caniaux G.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: oceans
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9291
pISSN - 2169-9275
DOI - 10.1002/2014jc009965
Subject(s) - advection , biogeochemical cycle , internal wave , environmental science , mooring , mixed layer , atmospheric sciences , mesocosm , fugacity , nutrient , dissolved organic carbon , oceanography , upwelling , chemistry , geology , physics , environmental chemistry , thermodynamics , organic chemistry
Abstract The availability of nutrients in the mixed layer is the main limitation to organic carbon biological production in the tropical regions. In this paper, we investigate the potential role of internal waves at promoting the development of biological activity on a PIRATA mooring at 6°S, 10°W. This mooring is located above the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge where we observe strong internal waves. Using a one‐dimensional physical and biogeochemical coupled model, we simulate dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). Providing the influence of vertical advection and turbulent diapycnal diffusivity are (it is vertical advection + turbulent dipycnal mixing) accounted for, we find that this model provides a good fit with observed in situ CO 2 fugacity (fCO 2 ). Main effect of internal waves is to rapidly increase the DIC, thus the fCO 2 and the nutrients in the mixed layer. The latter induce progressive development of biological activity leading to gradual DIC decrease. Our study highlights the importance of correctly taking into account the effect of internal waves in tropical regions.