The ocean’s biological carbon pump: Insights from particle composition and chemical budgets

The ocean’s biological carbon pump (BCP) is the process that transports surface-produced organic matter into the ocean interior, mediated by different physical and biological mechanisms. The BCP plays an important role in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. As the main vector of the BCP, marine particles contribute to about 70% of the total carbon export flux globally based on a biogeochemical model (Nowicki et al., 2022). However, there is still a lack of in situ field observations deconvolving and quantifying different components of the BCP on a global scale. Furthermore, most conventional BCP studies have predominantly employed one-dimensional (vertical) frameworks to study the export flux despite the potential importance of lateral processes. This talk will focus on using particle composition and chemical budget methods as tracers to better constrain the strength of the BCP in two dimensions on a global scale, which contributes to a more holistic understanding of global carbon cycling.

Zoom link: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/61227908464?pwd=eE9IaGhPZFF6OW5OSWROL3U4cmJYQT09(link is external)

Meeting ID: 612 2790 8464

Passcode: 009405

Please note that after the seminar, the candidate will give a chalk-talk regarding their research plan over the next five years at ESB 5104 @2:30 pm, you are welcome to join as well!