Time Series Particle Flux Measurements in the Sargasso Sea

自1978年以来，海洋通量计划（OFP）连续测量了深马尾藻海的颗粒通量。到目前为止，30年的OFP时间序列是同类中最长的，并且在关注深海方面也是独一无二的。OFP产生了一个独特的，尽管经过编辑的，关于所谓的生物泵的时间变化的记录，这个术语在这里宽泛地应用于物质从表面到深海的转移。OFP为深海的季节性以及深海通量与上层海洋过程之间的紧密耦合提供了第一个直接证据。它提供了明确的证据，表明中上层水域中通量的生物再处理和悬浮物的清除强度。该记录记录了深层通量的年际和较长的变化，以及由中尺度变率和气象强迫之间的相互作用驱动的较短期波动。时间序列变得足够长，可以开始研究多年来盆地尺度气候强迫的变异性，例如北大西洋涛动。该奖项将为这一独特而基础的海洋学时间序列提供更新资金。随着记录的延长，我们能够更好地观察到气候和海洋功能之间相互作用的波动。在百慕大时间序列站点进行协调和互补的研究项目——OFP系泊、百慕大大西洋时间序列（BATS）船舶生物地球化学观测，以及预期的未来系泊和自主技术，如滑滑机，为研究海洋物理、生物、化学和物质通量之间的耦合相互作用，以及这些相互作用如何反过来与大气和气候强迫联系在一起，提供了无与伦比的机会。OFP刚开始时无法想象的新分析技术正在应用于样品档案，揭示了海洋过程的新信息，这些信息体现在回收的通量材料的组成中。(1)系统的、长期的生物地球化学观测，如OFP提供的观测，对于了解海洋的自然变异和提供一个参考点来解释未来可能的气候变化情景的影响至关重要。(2)以往的NSF评审小组都认为OFP是宝贵的“社区资源”。OFP将继续与研究人员和学生分享其资源，包括样品材料、数据、辅助船舶时间和系泊平台的使用，从而以极低的成本为社区提供各种各样的调查。(3) OFP样本档案是不可多得的宝藏。收集的样品材料将继续对当前和未来的生物地球化学和气候研究具有宝贵价值。(4) OFP提供的教育经验将在关键时刻拓宽许多青年研究者的研究经验和科学视野。特别有价值的是有机会直接参与在百慕大时间序列站点进行的观测海洋学、时间序列研究和综合船舶研究活动。

Since 1978, the Oceanic Flux Program (OFP) has continuously measured particle fluxes in the deep Sargasso Sea. The three decade OFP time-series is, by far, the longest of its kind and unique in its focus on the deep ocean. OFP has produced a unique, albeit edited, record of temporal variability in the so-called biological pump, a term loosely applied here to material transfer from the surface to the deep ocean. The OFP provided the first direct evidence for seasonality in the deep ocean and the tight coupling between deep fluxes and upper ocean processes. It has provided clear evidence of the intensity of biological reprocessing of flux and scavenging of suspended material in mesopelagic waters. The record has documented interannual and longer variations in deep fluxes and shorter term fluctuations driven by the interactions between mesoscale variability and meteorological forcing. The time-series is becoming long enough to begin study of variability in terms of multiyear basin-scale climatic forcing, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation.This award will provide renewal funding for this unique and fundamental oceanographic time-series. As the record gets longer, we are better able to put into perspective the observed fluctuations in terms of the interplay between climate and ocean functioning. The colocation of coordinated and complementary research programs at the Bermuda Time-Series Site- the OFP mooring, the Bermuda Atlantic Time-Series (BATS) shipbased biogeochemical observations, and anticipated future moored and autonomous technologies such as gliders present unparalleled opportunities to study the coupled interactions among ocean physics, biology and chemistry and material fluxes, and how these in turn are linked to atmospheric and climatic forcing. New analytical techniques, unimaginable when the OFP first began, are being applied to the sample archive, revealing new information about ocean processes that is embodied in the composition of recovered flux materials.There will be several significant broader impacts: (1) Systematic, long-term biogeochemical observations, such as those provided by the OFP, are essential to gain an understanding of natural oceanic variability and to provide a reference point in which to interpret the repercussions of possible future climate change scenarios. (2) Previous NSF review panels have recognized the OFP as an invaluable "community resource". The OFP will continue to share its resources- sample material, data, ancillary shiptime, and use of the mooring platform- with researchers and students to make possible a diverse range of investigations at a very low cost to the community. (3) The OFP sample archive is a rare treasure. The sample material to be collected will continue to be invaluable for current and future biogeochemical and climate studies. (4) Educational experiences provided by the OFP will broaden the research experiences and science horizons of many young investigators at a critical juncture. Of particular value are opportunities to become directly involved with observational oceanography, time-series research and integrated ship-based research activities occuring at the Bermuda Time Series site.