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Phytoplankton physiology can affect ocean surface temperatures
Author(s) -
Lefèvre Nathalie,
Taylor Arnold H.,
Geider Richard J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2000gl011509
Subject(s) - phytoplankton , mixed layer , ocean color , equator , sea surface temperature , nitrogen , chlorophyll a , surface layer , environmental science , oceanography , chlorophyll , absorption (acoustics) , limiting , atmospheric sciences , climatology , chemistry , nutrient , layer (electronics) , geology , biology , ecology , physics , botany , latitude , satellite , optics , mechanical engineering , geodesy , organic chemistry , engineering , astronomy
A key biological link between ocean geochemical cycles, ocean color and sea surface temperature (SST) is the nitrogen‐to‐chlorophyll a (N:chl a ) ratio of phytoplankton. This is because nitrogen is the limiting factor over approximately 2/3 of the ocean surface and light absorption depends on the concentration of chlorophyll a . Recent work has demonstrated systematic variability in this ratio. Using one‐dimensional models at two locations we show that varying N:Chl a , rather than keeping a fixed mean value (0–150m), leads to lower chlorophyll a in the mixed layer, less light absorption within the mixed layer and cooler sea surface temperatures. At the equator the temperature reduction is 0.15°C throughout the year whereas at 35°N, a temperature difference of about 1°C occurs during the summer. Although demonstrated at only two locations, this effect is likely to occur over large parts of the ocean.