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The Modulation of Biological Production by Oceanic Mesoscale Turbulence

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Book cover Transport and Mixing in Geophysical Flows

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Physics ((LNP,volume 744))

Abstract

This chapter reviews the current state of knowledge on bio-physical interactions at mesoscale and at sub-mesoscale. It is focused on the mid-latitudes open ocean. From examples taken from my own studies or selected in the literature, I show how high-resolution process-oriented model studies have helped to improve our understanding. I follow a process oriented approach; I first discuss the role of mesoscale eddies in moderating the nutrient flux into the well-lit euphotic zone. Then I address the impact on biogeochemistry of transport occurring on a horizontal scale smaller than the scale of an eddy. I show that submesoscale processes modulate biogeochemical budgets in a number of ways, through intense upwelling of nutrients, subduction of phytoplankton, and horizontal stirring. Finally, I emphasize that mesoscale and submesoscale dynamics have a strong impact on productivity through their influence on the stratification of the surface of the ocean. These processes have in common that they concern the short-term, local effect of oceanic turbulence on biogeochemistry. Efforts are still needed before we can get a complete picture, which would also include the far-field long-term effect of the eddies.

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  1. LOCEAN/IPSL, CNRS, BC 100 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France

    Marina Lévy

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  1. Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0311, USA

    Jeffrey B. Weiss

  2. CNR -Istituto di Scienze, dell’Atmosfera e del, Clima Corso Fiume 4, 10133 Torino, Italy

    Antonello Provenzale

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Lévy, M. (2008). The Modulation of Biological Production by Oceanic Mesoscale Turbulence. In: Weiss, J.B., Provenzale, A. (eds) Transport and Mixing in Geophysical Flows. Lecture Notes in Physics, vol 744. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-75215-8_9

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