Upwelling Of Water Research Articles

Impacts of Agulhas Current meanders on intermediate water masses along the adjacent continental slope and shelf.

Variability in the Agulhas Current system is dominated by meanders, which constitute cyclonic eddies along the inshore edge of the Current on the southeast coast of South Africa. Few studies have investigated the influence of these meanders on hydrographic variability on the adjacent shelf and slope and to date only a handful have been sampled in situ. This study used available in situ data and GLORYS12v1 model output to investigate the impact of meanders on the distribution of Intermediate waters, namely Red Sea Water (RSW) and Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW), as well as mechanisms driving these variations. We focussed on four eddies, sampled in situ during July 1998, April 2010, January–February 2017, and July–August 2017. RSW dominated along the inshore edge of the Agulhas Current in the absence of meanders, but larger proportions of AAIW occurred in the presence of cyclonic eddies. During eddy events, the kinematic steering level was raised above the lower boundary of Intermediate waters, increasing cross-frontal mixing of waters at depths of 800–1800 m. Eddy-induced upwelling of Central and Intermediate waters onto the shelf appeared to be inhibited by bands of strong positive relative vorticity (>0.4 × 10−4 s−1), which likely promoted downwelling conditions inshore of the July 1998, April 2010, and July–August 2017 eddies. Weak positive relative vorticity (<0.2 × 10−4 s−1) inshore of the January–February 2017 eddy was associated with enhanced water mass exchange between the shelf and deeper (>1000 m) ocean. GLORYS12v1 was consistently comparable with satellite and in situ data, and simulated the overall distribution of water masses on the continental shelf and slope despite its inability to reflect the influence of river discharge in nearshore regions during austral summer. The model is thus suitable to investigate the influence of Agulhas Current meanders on the hydrography of South Africa's southeast coast.

MODELING THE DYNAMICS OF DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATION IN WATERS OF THE ANIVA BAY (THE SEA OF OKHOTSK)

To determine the risks for mariculture farms, the intra-annual change of dissolved О2 concentration was simulated for five zones in the Aniva Bay using the CNPSi model. Zone 1 differed sharply from other zones as the most shallow and freshened. Zone 2 is characterized by a pronounced water exchange with Zone 3 and Zone 4: during spring two layers were formed and stood out in these zones, in the summer the water column was homogeneous. Zone 3 has free water exchange with the open waters of the La Perouse Strait. An outstanding feature of Zone 4, in the deep-water part of the bay, was a distinctive subsidence of waters in the centre of the anticyclonic circulation and the maximum thermocline depth (up to 60-70 m). Zone 5 extends along the western coast of the Tonino-Aniva Peninsula and is characterized by the constant upwelling of waters during the icefree period, which is clearly expressed by lower water temperatures. The calculation showed that in the areas suitable for mariculture farms coastal waters were provided with oxygen throughout the year. Anaerobic conditions developed in spring only in the deepest parts of the bay. An additional source of oxygen in the Aniva Bay is natural thickets of macrophytes, among which the Japanese saccharin (Saccharina japonica) dominates in terms of biomass and area. Annually, Japanese saccharin itself absorbed at least 1200 tons of C in its biomass and supplied at least 3100 tons of О2. Unlike the artificially grown biomass, the biomass of all macrophytes would remain in the system and be destroyed during the life cycle, and the oxygen would be consumed for oxidation. The carbon accumulated in the biomass would again return to the rapid cycle, with the exception of the amount transported to the deep central part of the bay, where it would slowly decompose under nearly anaerobic conditions. It would be possible to place additional algae plantations in the bay, which could absorb up to 49 500 tons of C annually, while supplying up to 132 000 tons of О2. The obtained model estimates could be a starting point for determining the “baseline” of the content of dissolved oxygen and compiling balance equations for gas flows in the ocean-atmosphere system in the Aniva Bay before the development of seaweed plantations, which simultaneously act as carbon farms.

Physical and Biogeochemical Properties of California Current Upwelled Source Waters

AbstractCoastal upwelling variability in the California Current region, one of the four main eastern boundary current upwelling systems, is controlled by processes acting over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. While the ensuing ecosystem response depends strongly on upwelled water properties, determining their exact physical and biogeochemical characteristics is notoriously difficult as it requires tracking water masses backward in space and time from the moment they upwell near the coast to their subsurface origin. Adjoint model simulations have been used successfully to track water masses in coastal upwelling systems and the work presented here extends these applications to determining the co‐variability of physical and biogeochemical properties of source waters at spatial scales that resolve the known alongshore variability of coastal upwelling in the region. Notably, the results identify that the modulation of coastal upwelling efficiency by onshore/offshore geostrophic meanders is the dominant mechanism explaining alongshore variability in source depth and properties of upwelled waters. The simulations also reveal that source water properties vary seasonally in response to different balances between coastal upwelling intensity and biogeochemical processes. During spring, interannual variability of physical and biogeochemical properties is directly tied to the intensity of upwelling‐favorable alongshore winds, whereas, during summer, biogeochemical properties respond more strongly to biological activity and subsequent organic matter remineralization at depth. Overall, the present work provides important insight into the mechanisms responsible for the alongshore mosaic and seasonal variation of upwelled source water properties in the central California Current region.

Short-terms variability of water properties and phytoplankton blooms along the central eastern Florida shelf edge

The central eastern Florida shelf edge is a highly dynamic area that supports an important yet vulnerable deep-sea coral reefs ecosystem, the Oculina Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern. Rapid and large short-terms (days to weeks) changes of bottom temperature (up to 9 °C) and pCO2 (up to 180 μatm) were observed at the shelfbreak during a two-month (May 13-July 10, 2017) deployment of a lander package. An analysis suggests that these changes are the combined results of tides, the Gulf Stream meandering, and submesoscale eddies and filaments. The processes responsible for sub-tidal variability may include 1) the Gulf Stream frontal movements, 2) upwelling/downwelling of slope waters in association with the Gulf Stream variability, and 3) submesoscale processes and associated vertical movements. Satellite images also frequently show a narrow plume of elevated chlorophyll concentration that stretches from the coast northward up to >200 km along the Gulf Stream front during late spring and early summer. Our analysis indicates that these phytoplankton blooms in the plume are likely supported by the nutrient supply from the nutrients-rich slope waters to the shelf edge and subsequent local vertical mixing. Carbon export associated with these blooms can be an important food source to the Oculina corals. Upwelling of slope waters, on the other hand, will lead to increased CO2 and reduced pH and aragonite saturation state along the shelf edge. Therefore, these dynamic processes may have strong impacts on the health and sustainability of the Oculina coral ecosystem.

Possible transport pathway of diazotrophic Trichodesmium by Agulhas Leakage from the Indian into the Atlantic Ocean.

Diazotrophic cyanobacteria such as Trichodesmium play a crucial role in the nitrogen budget of the oceans due to their capability to bind atmospheric nitrogen. Little is known about their interoceanic transport pathways and their distribution in upwelling regions. Trichodesmium has been detected using a Video Plankton Recorder (VPR) mounted on a remotely operated towed vehicle (TRIAXUS) in the southern and northern Benguela Upwelling System (BUS) in austral autumn, Feb/Mar 2019. The TRIAXUS, equipped with a CTD as well as fluorescence and nitrogen sensors, was towed at a speed of 8 kn on two onshore-offshore transects undulating between 5 and 200m over distances of 249km and 372km, respectively. Trichodesmium was not detected near the coast in areas of freshly upwelled waters but was found in higher abundances offshore on both transects, mainly in subsurface water layers down to 80m depth with elevated salinities. These salinity lenses can be related to northward moving eddies that most probably have been detached from the warm and salty Agulhas Current. Testing for interaction and species-habitat associations of Trichodesmium colonies with salinity yielded significant results, indicating that Trichodesmium may be transported with Agulhas Rings from the Indian Ocean into the Atlantic Ocean.

Increased Contribution of Circumpolar Deep Water Upwelling to Methylmercury in the Upper Ocean around Antarctica: Evidence from Mercury Isotopes in the Ornithogenic Sediments.

Upwelling plays a pivotal role in supplying methylmercury (MeHg) to the upper oceans, contributing to the bioaccumulation of MeHg in the marine food web. However, the influence of the upwelling of Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW), the most voluminous water mass in the Southern Ocean, on the MeHg cycle in the surrounding oceans and marine biota of Antarctica remains unclear. Here, we study the mercury (Hg) isotopes in an ornithogenic sedimentary profile strongly influenced by penguin activity on Ross Island, Antarctica. Results indicate that penguin guano is the primary source of Hg in the sediments, and the mass-independent isotope fractionation of Hg (represented by Δ199Hg) can provide insights on the source of marine MeHg accumulated by penguin. The Δ199Hg in the sediments shows a significant decrease at ∼1550 CE, which is primarily attributed to the enhanced upwelling of CDW that brought more MeHg with lower Δ199Hg from the deeper seawater to the upper ocean. We estimate that the contribution of MeHg from the deeper seawater may reach more than 38% in order to explain the decline in Δ199Hg at ∼1550 CE. Moreover, we found that the intensified upwelling may have increased the MeHg exposure for marine organisms, highlighting the importance of CDW upwelling on the MeHg cycle in Antarctic coastal ecosystems.

On the Wind-Driven Formation of Plankton Patches in Island Wakes

Using a three-dimensional coupled physical–biological model, this paper explores the effect that short-lived wind events lasting a few days in duration have on the creation of phytoplankton blooms in island wakes. Findings show that wind-induced coastal upwelling creates initial nutrient enrichment and phytoplankton growth near the island, whereas an oscillating flow, typical of island wakes, expels patches of upwelled water, including its nutrient and phytoplankton loads, into the ambient ocean. Dependent on the wind direction, a short-lived wind event can create one or more plankton patches with diameters of the order of the island diameter. Phytoplankton continues to grow within floating patches, each forming an individual marine ecosystem. While the ecological features of island wakes are well documented, this study is the first that describes the significance of short-lived, transient wind-driven upwelling in the process.

Numerical analysis of air–water two-phase upflow in artificial upwelling of deep ocean water by airlift pump

Artificial upwelling by the use of airlift pump is regarded as an effective way in utilizing deep ocean water and actualizing ocean fertilization. This paper focuses on numerical analysis of steady air–water two-phase flow in a vertical pipe of an airlift system based on one-dimensional multi-fluid model. The depth distributions of 6 physical quantities such as volumetric fractions and axial velocities of two phases, air density and pressure are calculated by solving the governing equations or by integrating the vector form of nonhomogeneous ordinary differential equation for two-phase flow interval. Upon successful verification of the present numerical model through a comparison with precedent theoretical and experimental results in case of a vertical pipe with length of 7.86 m, the model is extended to the case of artificial upwelling from water depth of 2000 m. The effects of submerged depth of air–water mixer on the pumped amount of water and the depth distributions of 6 physical quantities are considered.

Southern Ocean circulation’s impact on atmospheric CO2 concentration

In the context of past and present climate change, the Southern Ocean (SO) has been identified as a crucial region modulating the concentration of atmospheric CO2. The sustained upwelling of carbon-rich deep waters and inefficient nutrient utilization at the surface of the SO leads to an outgassing of natural CO2, while anthropogenic CO2 is entrained to depth during the formation of Antarctic Bottom water (AABW), Antarctic intermediate water (AAIW) and sub-Antarctic mode water (SAMW). Changes to the SO circulation resulting from both dynamic and buoyancy forcing can alter the rate of upwelling as well as formation and subsequent transport of AABW, AAIW and SAMW, thus impacting the air-sea CO2 exchange in the SO. Models of all complexity robustly show that stronger southern hemispheric (SH) westerlies enhance SO upwelling, thus leading to stronger natural CO2 outgassing, with a sensitivity of 0.13 GtC/yr for a 10% increase in SH westerly windstress. While the impact of changes in the position of the SH westerly winds was previously unclear, recent simulations with high-resolution ocean/sea-ice/carbon cycle models show that a poleward shift of the SH westerlies also enhances natural CO2 outgassing with a sensitivity of 0.08GtC/yr for a 5° poleward shift. While enhanced AABW transport reduces deep ocean natural DIC concentration and increases surface natural DIC concentration, it acts on a multi-decadal timescale. Future work should better constrain both the natural and anthropogenic carbon cycle response to changes in AABW and the compound impacts of dynamic and buoyancy changes on the SO marine carbon cycle.

Particulate organic carbon export fluxes across the Seychelles-Chagos thermocline ridge in the western Indian Ocean using 234Th as a tracer

We investigated the export flux of particulate organic carbon (POC) using 234Th as a tracer in the western Indian Ocean along 60°E and 67°E transects in 2017 and 2018. The Seychelles-Chagos Thermocline Ridge (SCTR), where production is relatively high due to nutrient replenishment by upwelling of subsurface water, was observed at 3°S – 12°S in 2017 and 4°S – 13°S both 60°E and 67°E in 2018. POC fluxes in 2017 showed no differences between the SCTR and non-SCTR regions. However, in 2018, the POC fluxes in the SCTR regions (8.52 ± 7.89 mmol C m–2 d–1) were one order of magnitude higher than those observed in the non-SCTR regions (0.63 ± 0.07 mmol C m–2 d–1), which appeared to be related to the strong upwelling of subsurface water. These POC fluxes were comparable to those observed under bloom conditions, and thus, are important for estimating the efficiency of carbon sequestration in the ocean.

Geochemistry of Bled El Hadba phosphorites (NE Algeria): Glauconitization process versus REE-enrichment

Rare earth element (REE) enrichment in Algerian phosphorites has been evoked recently by a number of authors and are considered among the richest Paleocene-Eocene phosphorites worldwide. The Bled El Hadba deposit belongs to the giant Djebel Onk phosphorite complex in northeast Algeria. The deposit was subject to many geological studies that were focused on P2O5 contents for commercial purposes. The upper Thanetian phosphorite layer is about 30 m thick, and subdivided into three sub-layers (lower, main and upper sub-layer), based on P2O5 contents, where the main sub-layer is considered to be the richest. Despite this, few detailed geochemical investigations were carried out on this deposit thus far. In this work, major, trace and REE analyses were conducted on phosphate particles (pellets, coprolites and glauconites) using ‘in situ’ LA-ICP MS, and on whole-rock samples using XRF technique. The results show that the main sub-layer displays the highest whole-rock P2O5 contents, varying between 19.65 and 21.32 wt% compared to the lower (10.47–16.87 wt%) and upper (9.43–13.87 wt%) sub-layers. Among the phosphate particles, glauconites display the lowest P2O5 contents in the three sub-layers (17.45–19.35 wt%) compared to pellets (21.14–24.33 wt%) and coprolites (21.75–24.12 wt%), and largely the highest Al2O3, SiO2, MgO and Fe2O3(t). Glauconites also show higher ΣREE contents (764–2050 ppm) compared to pellets (221–910 ppm) and coprolites (214–909 ppm). Within the glauconite particles, the ΣREE, along with Al2O3, SiO2, MgO, and Fe2O3(t) contents, increase from core to the rim, whereas P2O5 contents decrease, which suggests that glauconitization postdates phosphatization processes. Also, the glauconitization process increase from the lower to the upper sub-layer; this is shown by the positive correlations between Al2O3 contents and those of MgO and SiO2 in one hand, and negative correlations between Al2O3 and P2O5 on the other hand. Ce, Eu, Y anomalies, along with La/Nd ratios and Nd contents, all point towards phosphatization under oxic conditions as a result of warm water upwelling, whereas glauconitization started under more reduced (sub-oxic) conditions; i.e., during early diagenesis, the peak of REE uptake from porewater, and under slow sedimentation rates.Despite their relatively low P2O5 concentrations, the ΣREE contents of the Bled El Hadba phosphate particles record the highest concentrations in all Algerian and north African phosphorites. The main sub-layer is considered to be the most glauconite-rich phosphorite in Algeria. Therefore, more extensive REE analyses are recommended to better evaluate its economic potential in terms of critical raw materials.

Phytoplankton physiology and functional traits under artificial upwelling with varying Si:N

IntroductionArtificial upwelling has been discussed as a nature-based solution to fertilize currently unproductive areas of the ocean to enhance food web productivity and atmospheric CO2 sequestration. The efficacy of this approach may be closely tied to the nutrient stoichiometry of the upwelled water, as Si-rich upwelling should benefit the growth of diatoms, who are key players for primary production, carbon export and food web efficiency.MethodsWith a mesocosm experiment in subtropical waters, we assessed the physiological and functional responses of an oligotrophic phytoplankton community to artificial upwelling under varying Si:N ratios (0.07-1.33).ResultsDeep water fertilization led to strongly enhanced primary productivity rates and net autotrophy across Si scenarios. At the community level, Si-rich upwelling50 temporarily increased primary production and consistently enhanced diatom growth, producing up to 10-fold higher abundances compared to Si-deficient upwelling. At the organism level, contrasting effects were observed. On the one hand, silicification and size of diatom cells remained unaffected by Si:N, which is surprising given the direct dependency of these traits on Si. On the other hand, diatom Chlorophyll a density and carbon density were strongly reduced and particulate matter C:N was elevated under Si-rich upwelling.DiscussionThis suggests a reduced nutritional value for higher trophic levels under high Si:N ratios. Despite these strong qualitative changes under high Si, diatom cells appeared healthy and showed high photosynthetic efficiency. Our findings reveal great physiological plasticity and adaptability in phytoplankton under artificial upwelling, with Si-dependent trade-offs between primary producer quantity and quality.

On the Pathways of Wind-Driven Coastal Upwelling: Nonlinear Momentum Flux and Baroclinic Instability

Abstract Wind-driven upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water is a key feature near the eastern boundaries of major ocean basins, with significant implications for the local physical environment and marine ecosystems. Despite the traditional two-dimensional description of upwelling as a passive response to surface offshore Ekman transport, recent observations have revealed spatial variability in the circulation structures across different upwelling locations. Yet, a systematic understanding of the factors governing the spatial patterns of coastal upwelling remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that coastal upwelling pathways are influenced by two pairs of competing factors. The first competition occurs between wind forcing and eddy momentum flux, which shapes the Eulerian-mean circulation; the second competition arises between the Eulerian-mean and eddy-induced circulation. The importance of nonlinear eddy momentum flux over sloping topography can be described by the local slope Burger number, S = αN/f, where α is the topographic slope angle and N and f are the buoyancy and Coriolis frequencies. When S is small, the classic coastal upwelling structure emerges in the residual circulation, where water upwells along the sloping bottom. However, this comes with the added complexity that mesoscale eddies may drive a subduction route back into the ocean interior. As S increases, the upwelling branch is increasingly suppressed, unable to reach the surface and instead directed offshore by the eddy-induced circulation. The sensitivity of upwelling structures to variable wind stress and surface buoyancy forcing is further explored. The diagnostics may help to improve our understanding of coastal upwelling systems and yield a more physical representation of coastal upwelling in coarse-resolution numerical models.

Glider-Based Microstructure Measurements of Enhanced Diapycnal Mixing along the Continental Slope of the Western Gulf of Mexico

Glider-based microstructure observations combined with ship-based conductivity–temperature–depth profiles were collected on the western part of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), within the steep continental slope region in November 2017. Dynamical processes associated with bathymetry were observed, and enhanced mixing along the continental slope was detected, with diffusivity values as high as 10 −3 m 2 /s. Recent studies proposed a conceptual model of deep GoM circulation where deep water entering the GoM sinks and fills the deep GoM through the Yucatan Channel. We hypothesize that to retain mass balance, this continuously supplied deep water has to upwell and create intermediate water, which forms the outflow of the GoM, ventilating the deep GoM on time scales of ~100 years. The western GoM has areas with steep continental slopes, where enhanced mixing likely results in the transformation and upwelling of deep water.

A study of upper ocean characteristics in response to the three intense re-curving tropical cyclones from the Arabian Sea using satellite and in situ measurements

We present the sea surface temperature (SST), latent heat flux (LHF), and sensible heat flux (SHF) studies of three tropical cyclones in the Indian subcontinent region. These three tropical cyclones were scrutinized based on their intensity scale ranging from Category 2 (Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, VSCS) to Category 5 (Super Cyclonic Storm, SuCS) on a hurricane scale (IMD scale). VSCS Vayu, SuCS Kyarr, and ESCS (Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm) Maha formed over the Arabian Sea in June, October, and November 2019, respectively. There is a 2∘C to 4∘C difference in the SST during the pre- and post-cyclone period along the best track. The maximum reductions in SST up to 8∘C have occurred in the region from where the cyclones have re-curved. The enthalpy fluxes (LHF and SHF) are highest at 280 W/m2 around the cyclone’s best track and follow the same direction of the cyclone development. Prior flux changes in the cyclone region may have a role in directing the cyclone’s best track. Argo floats within 1∘ from the best track revealed that pre-cyclone SST was warmer at the surface than post-cyclone SST. The sub-surface SST at a depth of 100–150 m suggests a warming of the ocean in the post-cyclone period near and adjacent to cyclone intensification regions due to the upwelling of the warm subsurface waters. The upper ocean response is crucial to studying the increasing intensity of TCs and the re-curvature of its best track over the Arabian Sea.

Observing Ocean Boundary Currents: Lessons Learned from Six Regions with Mature Observational and Modeling Systems

Ocean boundary currents are complex and highly variable systems that play key roles in connecting the open and coastal ocean through cross-slope circulation and upwelling of nutrient-rich water. The structure, strength, and variability of boundary currents are associated with a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. For that reason, long-term boundary current monitoring is challenging and requires the use of complementary observing platforms and sensors coupled with numerical simulations. The Ocean Observations Physics and Climate Panel Boundary Systems Task Team recently held a virtual dialogue series to discuss six mature boundary current monitoring systems. The goal of the series was to examine strategies for developing a conceptual design for sustained observing activities applicable to a wide range of boundary current systems. This article provides a brief overview of the six systems, including users and the observational and modeling components needed to achieve scientific, operational, and societal goals. Ocean observing best practices and recommendations are shared to provide guidance for the coordination and sustainability of observing systems at ocean boundaries and to strengthen and integrate partnerships across and within the global observing networks.

Mesoscale activity in the northeastern pacific water mass convergence region and its influence on fish larvae distribution by development stages (October 2022)

Based on satellite, hydrographic, and zooplankton data, the mesoscale activity, and its effect on the three-dimensional distribution of fish larvae in the northeastern Pacific water mass convergence region off Mexico during October 2022 were analyzed. Three eddies were observed during the cruise, but two were measured. An anticyclonic eddy (not crossed by the cruise) was observed by satellite data in the mouth of the Gulf of California. It formed off Mazatlán in Transitional Water and moved southeast of Cabo San Lucas. It was the smallest (10,207.4 km) and least energetic (140.7 cm2s−2) of the eddies. A parallel sampling transect to this eddy showed predominance of fish larvae in preflexion stage in the surface mixed layer with dominance of Benthosema panamense and Syacium ovale species (epi-mesopelagic and soft-bottom demersal species). A second anticyclonic eddy had formed about a month earlier in the Tropical Surface Water when this was measured. Its trajectory showed that it came from the mainland coast off Cabo Corrientes. It was the most energetic (216.6 cm2s−2) and presented the maximum anomalies of temperature (7.4 °C) and Dissolved Oxygen (>50 μmolkg−1), due to the downwelling that it produced (up to 95 m depth). It was also associated with the highest concentration of fish larvae (231.3 larvae100m−3) from ∼200 m depth to surface, observing dominance of larvae in flexion stage of B. panamense and Bregamaceros bathymaster (coastal neritic species). This eddy could also retain and transport species of soft-bottom demersal habits (Dormitator latifrons). One cyclonic eddy, located off Cabo San Lucas had California Current Water. It was the largest (26,032 km2) and oldest forming about nine months earlier off mainland coast in front of Pabellones Cove. Due to the upwelling of deeper water (up to 530 m depth), the minimum anomaly values of temperature (−5.8 °C), salinity (<−0.5 gkg−1) and Dissolved Oxygen (<−50 μmolkg−1) were present. Low abundance of species such as Vinciguerria lucetia and Diogenichthys laternatus (both epi-mesopelagic) in the postflexion stage were presented there. Results showed that mesoscale eddies affected the three-dimensional fish larvae distribution in different ways. This could broaden the vision of the mesoscale evolution of physical-biological interactions in the oceans.

Faunal and paleoenvironmental changes at a Cambrian (Jiangshanian; Steptoean–Sunwaptan boundary interval) trilobite extinction event, in contrasting deep- and shallow-subtidal settings, Nevada and Oklahoma

Abstract Successions in Oklahoma and Nevada record trilobite extinction and replacement near the Steptoean–Sunwaptan boundary in inner-shelf and outer-shelf settings, respectively. Prior to the extinctions, different trilobite biofacies occupied these environments, but faunas became similar in composition across the environmental gradient in the overlying I. “major” and Taenicephalus zones. Faunal changes in the outer shelf at the I. “major” Zone begin at a drowning unconformity that brought dark, laminated calcisiltite and silty lime mudstone above a subtidal carbonate succession. In contrast, Oklahoma shows facies continuity in a succession of tidally influenced bioclastic carbonates. Loss of genera and a dramatic abundance “spike” of Irvingella are features of the I. “major” Zone in both regions. Turnover of biofacies occurred in the succeeding Taenicephalus Zone, with both the inner and outer shelf dominated by Orygmaspis (Parabolinoides). Blooms of orthid brachiopods in shallow water settings are underappreciated signals of faunal change in the extinction interval. Although absent from the outer shelf in Nevada, orthids became abundant enough in Oklahoma to form shell beds in the lower Taenicephalus Zone, but became rare in overlying strata. Carbon isotope stratigraphy includes a modest positive δ13C excursion that peaks in the extinction interval at 1.4‰ (Oklahoma) and 2.2‰ (Nevada), which is congruent with previous reports from Utah and Wyoming. Although consistent with regional upwelling of dysoxic waters, the absence of sedimentary evidence for significant environmental change over much of the shelf is problematic. This suggests that physical environmental change acted primarily as a catalyst for cascading ecological and biogeographic effects.

Divergent responses of highly migratory species to climate change in the California Current

AbstractAimMarine biodiversity faces unprecedented threats from anthropogenic climate change. Ecosystem responses to climate change have exhibited substantial variability in the direction and magnitude of redistribution, posing challenges for developing effective climate‐adaptive marine management strategies.LocationThe California Current Ecosystem (CCE), USA.MethodsWe project suitable habitat for 10 highly migratory species in the California Current System using an ensemble of three high‐resolution (~10 km) downscaled ocean projections under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5). Spanning the period from 1980 to 2100, our analysis focuses on assessing the direction and distance of distributional shifts, as well as changes in core habitat area for each species.ResultsOur findings reveal a divergent response among species to climate impacts. Specifically, four species were projected to undergo significant poleward shifts exceeding 100 km, and gain habitat (~7%–60%) in response to climate change. Conversely, six species were projected to shift towards the coast, resulting in a loss of habitat ranging from 10% to 66% by the end of the century. These divergent responses could typically be characterized by the mode of thermoregulation (i.e. ectotherm vs. endotherm) and species' affiliations with cool and productive upwelled waters that are characteristic of the region. Furthermore, our study highlights an increase in niche overlap between protected species and those targeted by fisheries, which may lead to increased human interaction events under climate change.Main ConclusionsBy providing valuable species distribution projections, our research contributes to the understanding of climate change effects on marine biodiversity and offers critical insight and support for developing climate‐ready management of protected and fished species.

Compensating transport trends in the Drake Passage frontal regions yield no acceleration in net transport

Although the westerly winds that drive the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) have increased over the past several decades, the ACC response remains an open question. Here we use a 15-year time series of concurrent upper-ocean temperature, salinity, and ocean velocity with high spatial resolution across Drake Passage to analyze whether the net Drake Passage transport has accelerated in the last 15 years. We find that, although the net Drake Passage transport relative to 760 m shows insignificant acceleration, the net transport trend comprises compensating trends across the ACC frontal regions. Our results show an increase in the mesoscale eddy activity between the fronts consistent with buoyancy changes in the fronts and with an eddy saturation state. Furthermore, the increased eddy activity may play a role in redistributing momentum across the ACC frontal regions. The increase in eddy activity is expected to intensify the eddy-driven upwelling of deep warm waters around Antarctica, which has significant implications for ice-melting, sea level rise, and global climate.