Concentrations of transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs) and their role in the carbon export in the South China Sea and western tropical North Pacific

Abstract

The role of TEPs in the carbon cycle remains inadequately understood in oligotrophic tropical oceans. This study investigates TEP concentrations, distributions, sinking behavior and fluxes in the oligotrophic South China Sea (SCS) and western tropical North Pacific (WTNP). The results suggested that TEPs levels were relatively low [< 60 μg Xeq. L−1 (μg xanthan gum equivalent per liter)] in both regions, and they were higher in the epipelagic layer than in deeper layers. TEP concentrations correlated significantly positively with Chl a and picophytoplankton biomass, and TEP-associated carbon contributed significantly to particulate organic carbon (POC) pool in the SCS and WTNP. The sinking flux of TEPs constituted a mean of 61% of the total POC flux in the SCS and 46% in the WTNP, highlighting their important role in carbon export in these areas. Generally, this study should provide good insight into the role TEPs play in the carbon cycle in oligotrophic tropical oceans.