What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to investigate the role of deep convection in the vertical export of particulate organic carbon (POC) in the ocean.

August 3, 2026Science Advances2 citationsOpen Access

Convection injects labile particulate organic carbon to the deep ocean

MGMartí Galí AOAndrea Orihuela-García YRYohan Ruprich‐Robert

Key Points

The research aims to investigate the role of deep convection in the vertical export of particulate organic carbon (POC) in the ocean.
Used autonomous profilers to collect data on chlorophyll-a fluorescence in the Labrador and Irminger Seas.
Conducted model simulations to assess the impact of convection on POC supply to deep ocean layers.
Convection-driven POC supply to depths of 500-2000 m doubles in years of strong convection compared to weak convection.
Convection adds over 40% more POC to deep carbon budgets than previously estimated gravitational inputs.
Enhanced nutrient supply from these deep injections likely impacts deep-ocean metabolism and ecosystem dynamics.

Abstract

Vertical export of particulate organic carbon (POC) is central to the oceanic carbon cycle, yet the role of physical injection processes and their interannual variability remain poorly constrained. Autonomous profilers drifting in the Labrador and Irminger Seas detect recurrent winter-spring chlorophyll-a fluorescence peaks at 1000 m, indicating deep convection of surface POC rich in labile phytoplanktonic material. According to model simulations, convection-driven POC supply to the 500-2000 m depth layer doubles between years of weak vs. strong convection, adding more than 40% to gravitational inputs. These episodic injections likely reshape deep-ocean carbon budgets by enhancing metabolism and driving lateral exports, thereby revealing a critical link between upper ocean dynamics and deep-ocean water masses and ecosystems.

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