Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-140
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-140
14 Apr 2022
 | 14 Apr 2022

A proxy of subsurface Chlorophyll-a in shelf waters: use of density profiles and the below mixed layer depth (BMLD)

Arianna Zampollo, Thomas Cornulier, Rory O'Hara Murray, Jacqueline F. Tweddle, James Dunning, and Beth E. Scott

Abstract. Primary production dynamics are strongly associated with vertical density profiles, which dictate the depth of stratification and mixed layers. Climate change and artificial structures (e.g. windfarms) are likely to modify the strength of stratification and vertical distribution of nutrient fluxes, especially in shelf seas where fine scale processes are important drivers, affecting the vertical distribution of phytoplankton. To understand the effect of physical changes on primary production, identifying the linkage between density and phytoplankton profiles is essential. Here, the ecological relevance of eight density layers (DLs) obtained by multiple methods that define three different portions of the pycnocline (above, centre, below) was evaluated to identify a valuable proxy for subsurface Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a mg m-3) concentrations. The associations of subsurface Chl-a with surface and deep mixing were investigated by hypothesizing the occurrence at the same depth of any DL and the maximum Chl-a layer (DMC) using Spearman correlation, linear regression, and a Major Axis analysis. Out of 1237 observations of the water column exhibiting a pycnocline, 78 % reported DMCs above the bottom mixed layer depth (BMLD). This suggests that the BMLD is a boundary trapping Chl-a in shallow waters (≤ 120 m). BMLD constantly described Chl-a vertical distribution despite surface mixing indicators, suggesting a significant contribution of deep mixing processes in supporting subsurface production under specific conditions (e.g. prolonged stratification, tidal cycle, and bathymetry). Using BMLD for defining subsurface Chl-a could be a valuable tool for understanding the spatiotemporal variability of Chl-a in shelf seas, representing a potential variable for ecological assessments.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

29 Aug 2023
The bottom mixed layer depth as an indicator of subsurface Chlorophyll a distribution
Arianna Zampollo, Thomas Cornulier, Rory O'Hara Murray, Jacqueline Fiona Tweddle, James Dunning, and Beth E. Scott
Biogeosciences, 20, 3593–3611, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3593-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3593-2023, 2023
Short summary
Arianna Zampollo, Thomas Cornulier, Rory O'Hara Murray, Jacqueline F. Tweddle, James Dunning, and Beth E. Scott

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-140', Anonymous Referee #1, 23 May 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Arianna Zampollo, 08 Jul 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-140', Anonymous Referee #2, 09 Jun 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Arianna Zampollo, 08 Jul 2022
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-140', Anonymous Referee #3, 20 Jun 2022
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Arianna Zampollo, 08 Jul 2022

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-140', Anonymous Referee #1, 23 May 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Arianna Zampollo, 08 Jul 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-140', Anonymous Referee #2, 09 Jun 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Arianna Zampollo, 08 Jul 2022
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-140', Anonymous Referee #3, 20 Jun 2022
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Arianna Zampollo, 08 Jul 2022

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (10 Jul 2022) by Emilio Marañón
AR by Arianna Zampollo on behalf of the Authors (27 Jul 2022)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (28 Jul 2022) by Emilio Marañón
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (05 Aug 2022)
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (13 Aug 2022)
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (27 Aug 2022) by Emilio Marañón
AR by Arianna Zampollo on behalf of the Authors (15 Nov 2022)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (16 Nov 2022) by Emilio Marañón
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (11 Dec 2022)
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (19 Dec 2022)
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (30 Dec 2022) by Emilio Marañón
AR by Arianna Zampollo on behalf of the Authors (18 May 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes 
EF by Polina Shvedko (30 May 2023)  Manuscript   Supplement 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (07 Jun 2023) by Emilio Marañón
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (28 Jun 2023)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (29 Jun 2023) by Emilio Marañón
AR by Arianna Zampollo on behalf of the Authors (06 Jul 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (09 Jul 2023) by Emilio Marañón
AR by Arianna Zampollo on behalf of the Authors (11 Jul 2023)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

29 Aug 2023
The bottom mixed layer depth as an indicator of subsurface Chlorophyll a distribution
Arianna Zampollo, Thomas Cornulier, Rory O'Hara Murray, Jacqueline Fiona Tweddle, James Dunning, and Beth E. Scott
Biogeosciences, 20, 3593–3611, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3593-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3593-2023, 2023
Short summary
Arianna Zampollo, Thomas Cornulier, Rory O'Hara Murray, Jacqueline F. Tweddle, James Dunning, and Beth E. Scott
Arianna Zampollo, Thomas Cornulier, Rory O'Hara Murray, Jacqueline F. Tweddle, James Dunning, and Beth E. Scott

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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
The proposed paper gives new insight into the relevance of deep mixing in sustaining subsurface primary production in shelf waters. The identification of a strict correlation between subsurface Chlorophyll-a (a proxy of primary production in seawater) and the base of the pycnocline (a layer of the water column with a rapid change of density) is likely to impact the scientific community working on site-specific or large scales, offering a new perspective on primary production in shelf seas.