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Descending particles: From the atmosphere to the deep ocean—A time series study in the subtropical NE Atlantic
Author(s) -
Brust J.,
SchulzBull D. E.,
Leipe T.,
Chavagnac V.,
Waniek J. J.
Publication year - 2011
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 - 10.1029/2010gl045399
Subject(s) - oceanography , deep sea , water column , atmosphere (unit) , geology , range (aeronautics) , subtropics , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , geography , meteorology , fishery , biology , materials science , composite material
The transport ways of organic matter into the deep ocean are still under debate. Lithogenic particles deliver nutrients to the surface, boost biological production, and impact on carbon export. This study focuses on the transfer of lithogenic particles from the atmosphere to the deep ocean and its physical and biological interactions during their descent through the water column. A clear coupling between atmospheric dust occurrence and deep‐sea lithogenic particle fluxes at 2000 m depth was observed in the subtropical NE Atlantic (33°N, 22°W). This has never been demonstrated before for this site, far away from the African continental slope and with no lateral influx of particles present. The atmospheric signal transmission to the deep ocean lies in the range of one to two months. The presented data demonstrate the dependence of lithogenic deep‐sea fluxes on the positioning in the ocean and on particle residence times in the water column.