Why ocean deserts matter: Phytoplankton productivity in oligotrophic waters

该项目旨在重新审视海洋沙漠在全球海洋初级生产中的作用。由于它们的范围，这些地区对全球海洋碳固定的一半负责。该项目将利用从印度洋研究航行中获得的光学和地球化学数据、地球化学模型和卫星观测的独特组合，预计将产生关于地球化学与卫星遥感可获得的光学量之间联系的新知识。预期成果是改进对浮游植物碳生物量和生产力的估计，特别是在印度洋。一个关键的好处是，澳大利亚海洋卫星监测的最终用户相关性将得到提高。

This project aims to revisit the role of ocean deserts in the global ocean primary production. Because of their extent, these areas are paradoxically responsible for about half the global ocean carbon fixation. The project will use a unique combination of optical and biogeochemical data from a research voyage in the Indian Ocean, biogeochemical models and satellite observations, expecting to generate new knowledge on the link between biogeochemical and optical quantities accessible to satellite remote sensing. Expected outcomes are improved estimates of phytoplankton carbon biomass and productivity, in particular in the Indian Ocean. A key benefit will be an improved end-user relevance of satellite monitoring of Australia’s oceans.