Retrospective Satellite Ocean Color Analysis of Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF)

Toby K. Westberry, Oregon State University, westbert@science.oregonstate.edu (Presenter)
Michael J. Behrenfeld, Oregon State University, mjb@science.oregonstate.edu
Allen J. Milligan, Oregon State University, milligaa@science.oregonstate.edu
Scott C. Doney, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, sdoney@whoi.edu

Advances in satellite ocean color radiometry have paralleled the progression of ocean iron fertilization (OIF) experiments over the past 10-15 years. We are not limited to simple estimates of chlorophyll concentration anymore, but rather, can reliably retrieve particle scattering indices, dissolved organic and particulate absorption, various size and taxonomic indices, and chlorophyll fluorescence, for example. The suite of satellite-derived quantities reveals diverse characteristics of phytoplankton abundance, diversity, and physiological status which should provide a more complete picture of phytoplankton (or possibly community) response to OIF. Our efforts here focus on two physiological quantities known to respond to iron addition (or stress) in the lab and field and which can be retrieved from space, chlorophyll fluorescence efficiency (φ_f) and the chlorophyll to carbon ratio (Chl:C). We examine their variability due to both, artificial (e.g., SERIES, SEEDS, SOFeX, SOIREE) and natural OIF (in the Kerguelen, Crozet, and Galapagos sytems). In general, we hypothesize that physiological responses are consistently evident and can be differentiated from biomass-related responses and that satellite ocean color analysis provides a unique tool for monitoring OIF experiments.

Presentation Type:  Poster

Session:  Other   (Tue 11:30 AM)

Associated Project(s): 

• Westberry, Toby: Development of a Globally Consistent AQUA MODIS Fluorescence Line Height (FLH) Record and Its Science Applications ...details

Poster Location ID: 293