Extensive Oxygen Minimum Zone Research Articles

Hypoxia-tolerant zooplankton may reduce biological carbon pump efficiency in the Humboldt current system off Peru

In the ocean, downward flux of particles produced in sunlit surface waters is the major component of the biological carbon pump, which sequesters atmospheric carbon dioxide and fuels deep-sea ecosystems. The efficiency of downward carbon transfer is expected to be particularly high in tropical upwelling systems where hypoxia occurring beneath the productive surface waters is thought to hamper particle consumption. However, observations of both particle feeders and carbon export in low-oxygen waters are scarce. Here, we provide evidence that hypoxia-tolerant zooplankton feed on sinking particles in the extensive Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ) off Peru. Using several arrays of drifting sediment traps and in situ imaging, we show geochemical and morphological transformations of sinking particles and substantial control of carbon export by zooplankton. Our findings challenge the assumption of a consistently efficient biological carbon pump in OMZs and further demonstrate the need to consider mesopelagic organisms when studying oceanic carbon sequestration.

Biotic response of plankton communities to Middle to Late Miocene monsoon wind and nutrient flux changes in the Oman margin upwelling zone

Abstract. Understanding past dynamics of upwelling cells is an important aspect of assessing potential upwelling changes in future climate change scenarios. Our present understanding of nutrient fluxes throughout the world's oceans emphasizes the importance of intermediate waters transporting nutrients from the Antarctic divergence into the middle and lower latitudes. These nutrient-rich waters fuel productivity within wind-driven upwelling cells in all major oceans. One such upwelling system is located along the Oman margin in the western Arabian Sea (WAS). Driven by cross-hemispheric winds, the WAS upwelling zone's intense productivity led to the formation of one of the most extensive oxygen minimum zones known today. In this study covering the Middle to Late Miocene at Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 722, we investigate the inception of upwelling-derived primary productivity. This study presents new plankton assemblage data in the context of existing model- and data-based evidence constraining the tectonic and atmospheric boundary conditions for upwelling in the WAS. With this research, we build upon the original planktonic foraminifer-based research by Dick Kroon in 1991 as part of his research based on the ODP LEG 117. We show that monsoonal winds likely sustained upwelling since the emergence of the Arabian Peninsula after the Miocene Climatic Optimum (MCO) ∼ 14.7 Ma, with fully monsoonal conditions occurring since the end of the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition (MMCT) at ∼ 13 Ma. However, changing nutrient fluxes through Antarctic Intermediate and sub-Antarctic Mode Waters (AAIW/SAMW) were only established after ∼ 12 Ma. Rare occurrences of diatom frustules correspond to the maximum abundances of Reticulofenestra haqii and Reticulofenestra antarctica, indicating higher upwelling-derived nutrient levels. By 11 Ma, diatom abundance increases significantly, leading to alternating diatom blooms and high-nutrient-adapted nannoplankton taxa. These changes in primary producers are also well reflected in geochemical proxies with increasing δ15Norg. values (> 6 ‰) and high organic carbon accumulation. These proxies provide further independent evidence for high productivity and the onset of denitrification simultaneously. Our multi-proxy-based evaluation of Site 722 primary producers provides evidence for a stepwise evolution of Middle to Late Miocene productivity in the western Arabian Sea for the first time. The absence of a clear correlation with existing deep marine climate records suggests that both local wind patterns and intermediate water nutrient changes likely modulated productivity in the western Arabian Sea during the Middle to Late Miocene. Finally, we show that using a multi-proxy record provides novel insights into how plankton responded to changing nutrient conditions through time in a monsoon-wind-driven upwelling zone.

Reducing-condition reworked phosphorite sedimentary model: Petrographic and geochemical evidence from the Lower Cretaceous in the Thaniyat area, northern Saudi Arabia

The Thaniyat phosphorite, occurred in northern Saudi Arabia, is a component of a massive phosphorite deposit that was formed in the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene era within the southern Neo-Tethys Ocean. To gain insights into the sedimentary environments and formation processes of these phosphorites, samples were collected from the Thaniyat Phosphorite Member in northern Saudi Arabia and analyzed using petrological and geochemical methods. To ensure a comprehensive understanding, the obtained results were compared with results from nearby sites. The Thaniyat phosphorite is composed of phosphatic grains and quartz grains with distinctive granular textures. The phosphatic grains were derived from pristine phosphorite present along the shelf margin, while the quartz grains were supplied by terrestrial input. The presence of this dual provenance is furtherly supported by the negligible correlation observed between P2O5 content and the content of Al2O3 and TiO2. Trace element proxies provide additional insights into the sedimentary setting of the phosphorite, indicating that it occurred in an upwelling environment, which caused relative enrichment of Cr and a positive correlation between the value of Co × Mn and Al2O3 content of the phosphorite. Proxies related to Fe and Mn were found to be unsuitable for predicting the redox conditions in this area. A combination of V, Mo, and U proxies suggests a prevailing suboxic environment during the deposition of the Thaniyat phosphorite. A comparative analysis with contemporaneous phosphorite samples from Jordan and Iran demonstrated consistent characteristics of the sedimentary environment. Building upon these findings, a sedimentary model was proposed to elucidate the depositional processes of the phosphorite in a suboxic environment, where an upwelling with an extensive oxygen minimum zone dominated the sedimentary environment. The extensive reducing sedimentary environment likely facilitated carbon fixation and subsequently climate change. These findings contributed to a better understanding of the role of phosphorite in the paleoenvironmental context of the southern Neo-Tethys Ocean.

Spatiotemporal variations of the oxycline and its response to subduction events in the Arabian Sea

The Arabian Sea is a significant hypoxic region in world’s oceans, characterized by the most extensive oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). Both physical and biological processes can alter the vertical and horizontal distribution of dissolved oxygen within the upper ocean and affect the spatial and temporal distribution of hypoxia within the OMZ. To identify the key physical and biological factors influencing the boundaries of oxycline, we analyzed an extensive dataset collected from the biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) floats during the period of 2010–2022. In particular, we investigated the impact of physical subduction events on the oxycline. Our results shows that the upper boundary of the oxycline deepened in summer and winter, and seemed to be controlled by the mixed layer depth. In contrast, it was shallower during spring and autumn, mainly regulated by the deep chlorophyll maximum. The lower boundary of the oxycline in the western Arabian Sea was predominantly controlled by regional upwelling and downwelling, as well as Rossby waves in the eastern Arabian Sea. Subduction patches originated from the Arabian Sea High Salinity Water (ASHSW) were observed from the BGC-Argo data, which were found to deepen the lower boundary of the oxycline, and increase the oxygen inventory within the oxycline by 8.3%, leading to a partial decrease in hypoxia levels.

Southern Ocean sourced waters modulate Eastern Equatorial Pacific denitrification during the Mid-Pleistocene transition

The Eastern tropical Pacific holds extensive oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) areas where pelagic denitrification occurs. Sedimentary nitrogen isotopes are believed to record their denitrification history, which provides indirect evidence for the past extent of the upper ocean oxygen depletion. We present a new high-resolution sedimentary δ15N record of ODP Site 1242 located in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific during the Mid-Pleistocene Transition. The sedimentary record shows increased (decreased) denitrification during interglacial (glacial) periods and a substantial 41 kyr power. Comparing the sedimentary nitrogen signal with proxies for organic carbon supply and paleoxygenation indicates a decoupling of the denitrification from local productivity and bottom water oxygenation. We claim that this feature is a response to the extratropical ventilation of the subthermocline waters. Increased glacial AAIW influence might have provided the EEP with oxygenated and nutrient-rich waters, explaining the decreased glacial denitrification rates observed in Site 1242 and other OMZs records. Qualitative inferences about the vertical oxygen structure depict an extensive deoxygenated glacial EEP. This scenario might have contributed to the storage of the carbon captured during the glacials of the MPT.

Modelling the environmental niche space and distributions of cold-water corals and sponges in the Canadian northeast Pacific Ocean

Cold-water coral and sponge (CWCS) communities are important indicators of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) and are used to delineate areas for marine conservation and fisheries management. Although the northeast Pacific region of Canada (NEPC) is notable for having unique CWCS assemblages and is the location of >80% of Canadian seamounts, the extent of potential CWCS-defined VMEs in this region is unknown. Here, we used a diverse set of environmental data layers (n=30) representing a range of bathymetric derivatives, physicochemical variables, and water column properties to assess the primary factors influencing the niche separation and potential distributions of six habitat-forming groups of CWCS in the NEPC (sponge classes: Hexactinellida, Demospongiae; coral orders: Alcyonacea, Scleractinia, Antipatharia, Pennatulacea). The primary environmental gradients that influence niche separation among CWCS are driven by total alkalinity, dissolved inorganic carbon, and dissolved oxygen. Significant niche separation among groups indicates CWCS to be primarily specialists occurring in rare habitat conditions in the NEPC. Species distribution models (SDMs) developed for each CWCS group shared severely low dissolved oxygen levels ([O2] < 0.5 ml L−1) as a top predictor for habitat suitability in the NEPC. Niche separation is further emphasized by differences in the model-predicted areas of suitable habitat among CWCS groups. Although niches varied among taxa, the general areas of high habitat suitability for multiple CWCS groups in the NEPC occurred within the 500–1400 m bottom depth range which is strongly associated with the extensive oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) characterizing this region. As a result, the largest continuous area of potential CWCS habitat occurred along the continental slope with smaller, isolated patches also occurring at several offshore seamounts that have summits that extend into OMZ depths. Our results provide insight into the factors that influence the distributions of some of the most important habitat-forming taxa in the deep ocean and create an empirical foundation for supporting cold-water coral and sponge conservation in the NEPC.

A 43 kyr record of protist communities and their response to oxygen minimum zone variability in the Northeastern Arabian Sea

An extensive oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) occurs in the northeastern (NE) Arabian Sea where sedimentary records show evidence of alternating strong and weak OMZs that correlate with North Atlantic climate variability during the last glacial–interglacial cycle. OMZs are expanding world-wide, but information on long-term OMZ-ecosystem interactions is mainly limited to fossilized species, notably foraminifera. Here, we provide a first comprehensive ancient sedimentary DNA record of both fossilizing and non-fossilizing protists and their response to OMZ variability in the NE Arabian Sea over the last 43 ka. Protist communities changed significantly during strong vs. weak OMZ conditions coincident with interstadials and stadials respectively. Dinoflagellates were identified as significant indicator taxa for strong OMZs during glacial as well as interglacial interstadials, whereas diatoms were significant indicators for strong OMZs only during glacial interstadials. The chlorophyte Chlorella was found to be the main phototrophic protist in nutrient-depleted surface waters during glacial stadials. Notably, strong OMZ conditions shaped past protist communities by creating isolated habitats for those capable of sustaining oxygen depletion either by adapting a parasitic life cycle (e.g. apicomplexans) or by establishing mutualistic connections with others (e.g. radiolarians and mixotrophic dinoflagellates) or by forming cysts (e.g. colpodeans). Notably, a long-term increase in eutrophication and a decrease in the diatom/dinoflagellate ratio was observed during the late Holocene favoring the pelagic component of the marine food web. A similar scenario could be expected in the context of predicted worldwide expansion of coastal OMZs associated with global climate change.

Rapid shift and millennial-scale variations in Holocene North Pacific Intermediate Water ventilation

The Pacific hosts the largest oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) in the world ocean, which are thought to intensify and expand under future climate change, with significant consequences for marine ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, and fisheries. At present, no deep ventilation occurs in the North Pacific due to a persistent halocline, but relatively better-oxygenated subsurface North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) mitigates OMZ development in lower latitudes. Over the past decades, instrumental data show decreasing oxygenation in NPIW; however, long-term variations in middepth ventilation are potentially large, obscuring anthropogenic influences against millennial-scale natural background shifts. Here, we use paleoceanographic proxy evidence from the Okhotsk Sea, the foremost North Pacific ventilation region, to show that its modern oxygenated pattern is a relatively recent feature, with little to no ventilation before six thousand years ago, constituting an apparent Early-Middle Holocene (EMH) threshold or "tipping point." Complementary paleomodeling results likewise indicate a warmer, saltier EMH NPIW, different from its modern conditions. During the EMH, the Okhotsk Sea switched from a modern oxygenation source to a sink, through a combination of sea ice loss, higher water temperatures, and remineralization rates, inhibiting ventilation. We estimate a strongly decreased EMH NPIW oxygenation of ∼30 to 50%, and increased middepth Pacific nutrient concentrations and carbon storage. Our results (i) imply that under past or future warmer-than-present conditions, oceanic biogeochemical feedback mechanisms may change or even switch direction, and (ii) provide constraints on the high-latitude North Pacific's influence on mesopelagic ventilation dynamics, with consequences for large oceanic regions.

Seasonal variability of the oxygen minimum zone off Peru in a high-resolution regional coupled model

Abstract. In addition to being one of the most productive upwelling systems, the oceanic region off Peru is embedded in one of the most extensive oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) of the world ocean. The dynamics of the OMZ off Peru remain uncertain, partly due to the scarcity of data and to the ubiquitous role of mesoscale activity on the circulation and biogeochemistry. Here we use a high-resolution coupled physical/biogeochemical model simulation to investigate the seasonal variability of the OMZ off Peru. The focus is on characterizing the seasonal cycle in dissolved O2 (DO) eddy flux at the OMZ boundaries, including the coastal domain, viewed here as the eastern boundary of the OMZ, considering that the mean DO eddy flux in these zones has a significant contribution to the total DO flux. The results indicate that the seasonal variations of the OMZ can be interpreted as resulting from the seasonal modulation of the mesoscale activity. Along the coast, despite the increased seasonal low DO water upwelling, the DO peaks homogeneously over the water column and within the Peru Undercurrent (PUC) in austral winter, which results from mixing associated with the increase in both the intraseasonal wind variability and baroclinic instability of the PUC. The coastal ocean acts therefore as a source of DO in austral winter for the OMZ core, through eddy-induced offshore transport that is also shown to peak in austral winter. In the open ocean, the OMZ can be divided vertically into two zones: an upper zone above 400 m, where the mean DO eddy flux is larger on average than the mean seasonal DO flux and varies seasonally, and a lower part, where the mean seasonal DO flux exhibits vertical–zonal propagating features that share similar characteristics than those of the energy flux associated with the annual extratropical Rossby waves. At the OMZ meridional boundaries where the mean DO eddy flux is large, the DO eddy flux has also a marked seasonal cycle that peaks in austral winter (spring) at the northern (southern) boundary. In the model, the amplitude of the seasonal cycle is 70 % larger at the southern boundary than at the northern boundary. Our results suggest the existence of distinct seasonal regimes for the ventilation of the OMZ by eddies at its boundaries. Implications for understanding the OMZ variability at longer timescales are discussed.

Marine anoxia and delayed Earth system recovery after the end-Permian extinction

Delayed Earth system recovery following the end-Permian mass extinction is often attributed to severe ocean anoxia. However, the extent and duration of Early Triassic anoxia remains poorly constrained. Here we use paired records of uranium concentrations ([U]) and (238)U/(235)U isotopic compositions (δ(238)U) of Upper Permian-Upper Triassic marine limestones from China and Turkey to quantify variations in global seafloor redox conditions. We observe abrupt decreases in [U] and δ(238)U across the end-Permian extinction horizon, from ∼3 ppm and -0.15‰ to ∼0.3 ppm and -0.77‰, followed by a gradual return to preextinction values over the subsequent 5 million years. These trends imply a factor of 100 increase in the extent of seafloor anoxia and suggest the presence of a shallow oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) that inhibited the recovery of benthic animal diversity and marine ecosystem function. We hypothesize that in the Early Triassic oceans-characterized by prolonged shallow anoxia that may have impinged onto continental shelves-global biogeochemical cycles and marine ecosystem structure became more sensitive to variation in the position of the OMZ. Under this hypothesis, the Middle Triassic decline in bottom water anoxia, stabilization of biogeochemical cycles, and diversification of marine animals together reflect the development of a deeper and less extensive OMZ, which regulated Earth system recovery following the end-Permian catastrophe.

Microbial methanogenesis in the sulfate-reducing zone of surface sediments traversing the Peruvian margin

Abstract. We studied the concurrence of methanogenesis and sulfate reduction in surface sediments (0–25 cm below sea floor) at six stations (70, 145, 253, 407, 990 and 1024 m) along the Peruvian margin (12° S). This oceanographic region is characterized by high carbon export to the seafloor creating an extensive oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) on the shelf, both factors that could favor surface methanogenesis. Sediments sampled along the depth transect traversed areas of anoxic and oxic conditions in the bottom-near water. Net methane production (batch incubations) and sulfate reduction (35S-sulfate radiotracer incubation) were determined in the upper 0–25 cm b.s.f. of multiple cores from all stations, while deep hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis (&gt; 30 cm b.s.f., 14C-bicarbonate radiotracer incubation) was determined in two gravity cores at selected sites (78 and 407 m). Furthermore, stimulation (methanol addition) and inhibition (molybdate addition) experiments were carried out to investigate the relationship between sulfate reduction and methanogenesis.Highest rates of methanogenesis and sulfate reduction in the surface sediments, integrated over 0–25 cm b.s.f., were observed on the shelf (70–253 m, 0.06–0.1 and 0.5-4.7 mmol m−2 d−1, respectively), while lowest rates were discovered at the deepest site (1024 m, 0.03 and 0.2 mmol m−2 d−1, respectively). The addition of methanol resulted in significantly higher surface methanogenesis activity, suggesting that the process was mostly based on non-competitive substrates – i.e., substrates not used by sulfate reducers. In the deeper sediment horizons, where competition was probably relieved due to the decrease of sulfate, the usage of competitive substrates was confirmed by the detection of hydrogenotrophic activity in the sulfate-depleted zone at the shallow shelf station (70 m).Surface methanogenesis appeared to be correlated to the availability of labile organic matter (C ∕ N ratio) and organic carbon degradation (DIC production), both of which support the supply of methanogenic substrates. A negative correlation between methanogenesis rates and dissolved oxygen in the bottom-near water was not obvious; however, anoxic conditions within the OMZ might be advantageous for methanogenic organisms at the sediment-water interface.Our results revealed a high relevance of surface methanogenesis on the shelf, where the ratio between surface to deep (below sulfate penetration) methanogenic activity ranged between 0.13 and 105. In addition, methane concentration profiles indicated a partial release of surface methane into the water column as well as consumption of methane by anaerobic methane oxidation (AOM) in the surface sediment. The present study suggests that surface methanogenesis might play a greater role in benthic methane budgeting than previously thought, especially for fueling AOM above the sulfate–methane transition zone.

Spatio‐temporal variability of zooplankton biomass and environmental control in the Northern Benguela Upwelling System: field investigations and model simulation

AbstractSpatial and temporal distribution patterns of zooplankton are highly variable in the Northern Benguela Upwelling System. We studied the distribution of zooplankton (size class ≥ 0.33 mm) and used field data from four cruises that took place between March 2008 and February 2011, as well as simulation results of a regional ecosystem model. Remotely sensed sea surface temperatures (SST) and surface chlorophyll concentrations were analysed to investigate environmental influences on zooplankton biomass. The Intense Benguela Upwelling Index showed a distinct seasonal signal throughout the years and the highest upwelling peaks in August/September. Even though surface chlorophyll concentrations were very variable throughout the year, the highest concentrations were always detected in September, following the upwelling of nutrient‐rich water. In field catches, zooplankton biomass concentration in the upper 200 m was highest above the outer shelf and shelf‐break in December 2010 and February 2011, i.e. 6 months after the upwelling peaks. In contrast, zooplankton biomass simulated by the model in the surface water was highest in September. In March/April, biomass maxima were typically measured in the field at intermediate water depths, but the vertical distribution was also affected by extensive oxygen minimum zones. The ecosystem model reproduced this vertical pattern. Although general trends were similar, simulation data of zooplankton standing stocks overestimated the field data by a factor of 3. In upwelling systems, food webs are generally considered to be short and dominated by large cells. However, our field data indicate more small‐sized zooplankton organisms above the shelf than offshore.

Significance of Ether Lipids Derived from Methanogens in Sediments from Modern and Ancient Basins: ABSTRACT

High amounts of biphytanyl carbon skeletons with 0-3 cyclopentyl rings and low amounts of 2, 6, 10, 14, 18-pentamethyleicosane (PME) were detected after treatment with hydrogen iodide of fractions of several sediment extracts. These compounds are biosynthesized by archaebacteria only. Since the sediments were deposited in normal marine environments, these lipids are derived from methanogenic bacteria and more specifically Methanosarcina barkeri. In recent sediments from in and below the extensive oxygen-minimum zone in the Arabian Sea high amounts were detected in surface sediment samples where oxygen is still present. Our data suggest that these ether-bound compounds may be indicators for methane-production in the upper part of the water column and possibly an extensive oxygen-minimum zone. The concentrations varied strongly (2 orders of magnitude) in the Miocene Monterey Formation suggesting significant variations in water column methanogenic activity. The stable carbon isotopic compositions of the acyclic and cyclic biphytane carbon skeletons are several per mil heavier than those of compounds derived from photoautotrophic organisms whereas the stable carbon isotopic compositions of PME are several per mil lighter. This indicates the presence of different species of methanogens utilizing different carbon substrates.