Descripción del proyecto
Investigación exhaustiva innovadora sobre las zonas de oxígeno mínimo
La incorporación de zonas de oxígeno mínimo (ZOM) en la estrategia europea para la observación de los océanos puede ampliar el papel de estos en la mitigación del clima de la Tierra y el tamaño de sus poblaciones de peces. En este contexto, el proyecto financiado con fondos europeos NOCEANIC estudiará la pérdida de nitrógeno provocada por la subducción de carbono orgánico particulado (COP), un mecanismo clave que rige los ciclos biogeoquímicos en ZOM anóxicas. Para ello, investigará los factores que controlan este mecanismo. El equipo de NOCEANIC examinará una serie temporal de variables sustitutivas ópticas del COP y datos fisicoquímicos recopilados por boyas perfiladoras autónomas. Los datos, que se recopilaron con una resolución temporal y vertical sin precedentes, proporcionarán nuevos conocimientos sobre los vínculos biogeoquímicos entre los flujos de COP y la pérdida de nitrógeno.
Objetivo
Nitrogen loss fuelled by sinking particulate organic carbon (POC) is a key mechanism that drives biogeochemical cycles in anoxic oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). However, little is known about what controls this mechanism because of the challenges involved in observing it. Noceanic aims to improve current knowledge by exploiting – for the first time – time-series of optical proxies of POC and physicochemical data collected by autonomous profiling floats (i.e. “BGC-Argo”). This data acquired at unprecedented temporal and vertical resolution will generate new insights into the biogeochemical linkages between POC fluxes and N losses. Ultimately, Noceanic will contribute to reducing uncertainties in the mechanistic prediction of N losses and deepen understanding of the biogeochemical response of oceans to ongoing OMZs expansion. Noceanic will combine models, field and remote-sensing data. From field data, optical POC relationships will be tuned and then used to convert optical proxies of POC into POC fluxes. Remote-sensing data will be exploited to model surface POC formed by photosynthesis and assess its source of variability. From these elements, POC fluxes in anoxic OMZs (> 100 m) can then be translated into N losses. Finally, temporal changes in N losses will be explained in terms of the main factors driving the formation of POC and its export to anoxic OMZs. These innovative interdisciplinary activities will establish a two-way exchange of knowledge between the Researcher and the host institution, and enhance their European and international network of collaborators. An expected outcome of Noceanic is its impact on the European strategy for global ocean observations by promoting the inclusion of OMZs – a critical shift because OMZs expansion is affecting the oceans’ role in mitigating the Earth’s climate and the size of fish stocks, ultimately inflicting consequences on European society.
Ámbito científico
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinador
75006 Paris
Francia