Satellite-detected chlorophyll fluorescence reveals physiology and photosynthetic pigments of global ocean phytoplankton
Michael
Behrenfeld, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology,, Oregon State University, mjb@science.oregonstate.edu
(Presenting)
Toby
Westberry, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology,, Oregon State University, westbert@science.oregonstate.edu
Emmanuel
Boss, School of Marine Sciences,, University of Maine, emmanuel.boss@maine.e
Robert
O'Malley, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology,, Oregon State University, omalleyr@science.oregonstate.edu
Jerry
Wiggert, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, jerry.wiggert@usm.edu
David
Siegel, Institute for Computational Earth System Sciences, Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, davey@icess.ucsb.edu
Bryan
Franz, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, bryan.a.franz@nasa.gov
Chuck
McClain, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, charles.r.mcclain@nasa.gov
Gene
Feldman, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, gene.c.feldman@nasa.gov
Giorgio
Dall'Olmo, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology,, Oregon State University, giorgiod@science.oregonstate.edu
Allen
Milligan, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology,, Oregon State University, allen.milligan@science.oregonstate.edu
Scott
Doney, Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, sdoney@whoi.edu
Ivan
Lima, Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, ivan@whoi.edu
Natalie
Mahowald, Cornell University, nmm63@cornell.edu
We conducted a global investigation of surface ocean phytoplankton using satellite chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. Comparison of fluorescence data with independent chlorophyll estimates from empirical and bio-optical algorithms indicates improved performance of the bio-optical approaches in the expansive, clearest-water regions of the open ocean, while the traditional empirical approach retains greater fidelity at higher chlorophyll concentrations. Calculation of fluorescence quantum yields provides additional insights into phytoplankton physiology. The dominant physiological signal is a relatively-constrained global expression of protective mechanisms against high-light damage. Removing this primary factor reveals a secondary signature of iron-stress, with high fluorescence quantum yields associated with low iron environments.
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