Satellite-detected Ocean Ecosystem Response to Volcanic Eruptionsin the Subarctic Northeast Pacific Ocean
Loading...
Author/Creator
Author/Creator ORCID
Date
2019-09-16
Type of Work
Department
Program
Citation of Original Publication
Shi, Yingxi R., Westberry, Toby K., Behrenfeld, Michael J., Yu, H., Remer, L. A.; Satellite-detected Ocean Ecosystem Response to Volcanic Eruptionsin the Subarctic Northeast Pacific Ocean ; GeoPhysical Research Letters 46,16; ; https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL083977
Rights
This item is likely protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Unless on a Creative Commons license, for uses protected by Copyright Law, contact the copyright holder or the author.
©2018. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Access to this item will begin on 2020-03-16
©2018. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Access to this item will begin on 2020-03-16
Abstract
Volcanic eruptions in the Aleutian archipelago during the summer of 2008 deposited large
quantities of iron-laden ash to the Subarctic North Pacific Ocean. The surface ocean
ecosystem response has been previously characterized using limited in situ and autonomous
field measurements and numerical modeling, but basin-scale satellite remote sensing has been
limited to a simple description of chlorophyll variability. Here, we show that the ecosystem
response is a complex combination of phytoplankton biomass and physiology that can be
described with satellite ocean color diagnostics such as the chlorophyll to carbon biomass
ratio (Chl:Cphyto) and chlorophyll fluorescence yield. Together, these quantities outline a
more complete picture of ecological responses spanning unique signals of iron stress (and
relief from), photoacclimation, changes in phytoplankton growth rate, increases in biomass,
and timescales of decay for these processes.