Surface-generated mesoscale eddies transport deep-sea products from hydrothermal vents
Adams, D.K.; McGillicuddy Jr., D.J.; Zamudio, L.; Thurnherr, A.M.; Liang, X.; Rouxel, O.J.; German, C.R.; Mullineaux, L.S. (2011). Surface-generated mesoscale eddies transport deep-sea products from hydrothermal vents. Science (Wash.) 332(6029): 580-583. https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1201066
In: Science (Washington). American Association for the Advancement of Science: New York, N.Y. ISSN 0036-8075; e-ISSN 1095-9203, more
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| Keywords |
Chemical activity
Chemistry > Atmospheric sciences > Atmospheric chemistry
Cycles > Chemical cycles > Geochemical cycle > Biogeochemical cycle
Deep sea
Heat flux
Hydrothermal vents
Motion > Water motion > Circulation > Water circulation > Ocean circulation > Oceanic eddies > Mesoscale eddies
Temporal variations > Periodic variations > Seasonal variations
Transport
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Adams, D.K.
- McGillicuddy Jr., D.J.
- Zamudio, L.
- Thurnherr, A.M.
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- Liang, X.
- Rouxel, O.J.
- German, C.R.
- Mullineaux, L.S.
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| Abstract |
Atmospheric forcing, which is known to have a strong influence on surface ocean dynamics and production, is typically not considered in studies of the deep sea. Our observations and models demonstrate an unexpected influence of surface-generated mesoscale eddies in the transport of hydrothermal vent efflux and of vent larvae away from the northern East Pacific Rise. Transport by these deep-reaching eddies provides a mechanism for spreading the hydrothermal chemical and heat flux into the deep-ocean interior and for dispersing propagules hundreds of kilometers between isolated and ephemeral communities. Because the eddies interacting with the East Pacific Rise are formed seasonally and are sensitive to phenomena such as El Niño, they have the potential to introduce seasonal to interannual atmospheric variations into the deep sea. |
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