Physical controls and mesoscale variability in the Labrador Sea spring phytoplankton bloom observed by Seaglider

Frajka‐Williams, Eleanor; Rhines, Peter B.; Eriksen, Charles C.

doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2009.07.008

Cited by 61 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The influence of upwelling has also been documented in temperature and salinity observations along the sea ice margin off the Newfoundland coast49. Recent observations indicate that upwelling of nutrients and downwelling of biomass occurs at the Labrador shelf-break front50, the watermass boundary which separates the inshore branch of the Labrador Current on the shelf from the central Labrador Sea and the deep boundary current.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Coralline algal Barium as indicator for 20th century northwestern North Atlantic surface ocean freshwater variability

Hetzinger

Halfar

Zack

et al. 2013

Sci Rep

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During the past decades climate and freshwater dynamics in the northwestern North Atlantic have undergone major changes. Large-scale freshening episodes, related to polar freshwater pulses, have had a strong influence on ocean variability in this climatically important region. However, little is known about variability before 1950, mainly due to the lack of long-term high-resolution marine proxy archives. Here we present the first multidecadal-length records of annually resolved Ba/Ca variations from Northwest Atlantic coralline algae. We observe positive relationships between algal Ba/Ca ratios from two Newfoundland sites and salinity observations back to 1950. Both records capture episodical multi-year freshening events during the 20th century. Variability in algal Ba/Ca is sensitive to freshwater-induced changes in upper ocean stratification, which affect the transport of cold, Ba-enriched deep waters onto the shelf (highly stratified equals less Ba/Ca). Algal Ba/Ca ratios therefore may serve as a new resource for reconstructing past surface ocean freshwater changes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Coralline algal Barium as indicator for 20th century northwestern North Atlantic surface ocean freshwater variability

Hetzinger

Halfar

Zack

et al. 2013

Sci Rep

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“…A third explanation for our results and those of McGillicuddy et al (2003) could be that eddies in this region do not supply additional nutrients, but rather aid in the haline stratification of the region, since these eddies tend to be fresh at the surface (Frajka-Williams et al, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Physical controls and interannual variability of the Labrador Sea spring phytoplankton bloom in distinct regions

Frajka‐Williams

Rhines

2010

Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers

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We investigated the variability of the spring phytoplankton bloom in the Labrador Sea, dividing into distinct biogeographical zones, then analyzing the relationship between the bloom and physical forcings. The spring phytoplankton bloom in the north Labrador Sea varied in intensity by a factor of 4 and in timing of onset by 3 weeks over the 11-year record from SeaWiFS satellite ocean chlorophyll, 1998-2008. This north bloom (north of 60 • N and west of the Labrador shelves) is earliest and most intense, owing in part to the offshore-directed freshwater stratification from the West Greenland Current. On interannual timescales, significant correlations were found between the north bloom intensity and ocean processes, namely offshore advection, eddy activity and runoff from Greenland. In contrast, the central Labrador Sea is later and weaker, and only a correlation between the bloom timing and irradiance was found. As the subpolar gyre shifts in strength and shape, freshwater outflow from the Arctic and Greenland changes, we may expect further changes in the biological response as indicated by these relationships.

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“…For example, isopycnal shoaling caused by eddies drove the production observed by gliders in the subtropical North Pacific (Nicholson et al 2008). Frajka-Williams et al (2009) used gliders to determine that the spring bloom in the Labrador Sea is associated with eddies and fronts. A glider was used to investigate the distribution of biogeochemical variables in a warm-core eddy off Australia (Baird et al 2011).…”

Section: The Mesoscale and Submesoscalementioning

confidence: 99%

Ocean Research Enabled by Underwater Gliders

Rudnick

2016

Annu. Rev. Mar. Sci.

255

158

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Underwater gliders are autonomous underwater vehicles that profile vertically by changing their buoyancy and use wings to move horizontally. Gliders are useful for sustained observation at relatively fine horizontal scales, especially to connect the coastal and open ocean. In this review, research topics are grouped by time and length scales. Large-scale topics addressed include the eastern and western boundary currents and the regional effects of climate variability. The accessibility of horizontal length scales of order 1 km allows investigation of mesoscale and submesoscale features such as fronts and eddies. Because the submesoscales dominate vertical fluxes in the ocean, gliders have found application in studies of biogeochemical processes. At the finest scales, gliders have been used to measure internal waves and turbulent dissipation. The review summarizes gliders' achievements to date and assesses their future in ocean observation.

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Physical controls and mesoscale variability in the Labrador Sea spring phytoplankton bloom observed by Seaglider

Abstract: We investigate the 2005 spring phytoplankton bloom in the Labrador Sea using a Seaglider equipped with hydrographic, bio-optical and oxygen sensors. The Labrador Sea blooms in distinct phases, two of which were observed by Seaglider: the north bloom and the central Labrador

Cited by 61 publications

References 42 publications

Coralline algal Barium as indicator for 20th century northwestern North Atlantic surface ocean freshwater variability

Coralline algal Barium as indicator for 20th century northwestern North Atlantic surface ocean freshwater variability

Physical controls and interannual variability of the Labrador Sea spring phytoplankton bloom in distinct regions

Ocean Research Enabled by Underwater Gliders

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