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Cited by 38Marine and coastal ecosystemsOceanographic and Atmospheric ProcessesMarine Biology and Ecology Research

Turbulence mediates marine aggregate formation and destruction in the upper ocean

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Takeuchi, Marika, Doubell, Mark J., Jackson, George A., Yukawa, Misuzu, Sagara, Yosuke, Yamazaki, Hidekatsu·2019·Scientific Reports
DOI 10.1038/s41598-019-52470-5PMC PMC6838160
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Abstract

Marine aggregates formed through particle coagulation, large ones (>0.05 cm) also called marine snow, make a significant contribution to the global carbon flux by sinking from the euphotic zone, impacting the Earth’s climate. Since aggregate sinking velocity and carbon content are size-dependent, understanding the physical mechanisms controlling aggregate size distribution is fundamental to determining the biological carbon pump efficiency. Theoretical, laboratory and in-situ studies of flocculation have suggested that turbulence in the benthic boundary layer is important for aggregate formation and destruction, but the small number of field observations has limited our understanding of the role of turbulence on aggregation processes in the ocean surface layer away from energetic boundaries. Using simultaneous field observations of turbulence and aggregates, we show how aggregate formation, destruction, morphology and size distribution in the ocean surface layer (10–100 m) are mediated by interactions between turbulence and aggregate concentration. Our findings suggest that turbulence enhances aggregate formation up to a critical turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate of 10−6 (W kg−1), above which the smallest turbulent eddies limit aggregate size.

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Authors
Takeuchi, M., Doubell, M. J., Jackson, G. A., Yukawa, M., Sagara, Y., & Yamazaki, H.
Affiliations
  • Flinders University (AU)
  • South Australian Research and Development Institute (AU)
  • Texas A&M University (US)
  • Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (JP)
Corresponding author
Yamazaki, Hidekatsu
ORCID
Venue
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2019-11-07
Volume
9
Issue
1
Pages
16280-16280
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41598-019-52470-5
PMC
PMC6838160
OpenAlex
W2988991535
Cited by
38
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 2
FWCI
1.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (CREST JPMJCR12A6)
  • MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science ((B2) 1610005)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Oceanography › Marine and coastal ecosystems
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Oceanography › Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Oceanography › Marine Biology and Ecology Research
Keywords
marine aggregates, marine snow, turbulent flow, flocculation, particle coagulation, aggregate size distribution, aggregate morphology, turbulent kinetic energy dissipation, biological carbon pump, upper ocean, particle sinking velocity, carbon flux

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