Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2801
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2801
20 Dec 2023
 | 20 Dec 2023

Pacific Southern Ocean coccolithophore-derived particulate inorganic carbon (PIC): A novel comparative analysis of in-situ and satellite-derived measurements

Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, Karl-Heinz Baumann, Nuria Bachiller-Jareno, Harold Lovell, Nele Manon Vollmar, and Elisa Malinverno

Abstract. Polar plankton communities are already experiencing the impact of ocean acidification and global warming. Coccolithophores are the main type of calcifying phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean (SO) and they play a key role in the carbon cycle through the production of particulate organic, and inorganic carbon (PIC). Coccolithophores account for most of the optical PIC backscattering in the sea, so remote sensing is potentially an excellent monitoring tool. However, in situ measurements in the SO are sparse in space and time due to the harsh weather conditions.

Here, we combine micropalaeontology and remote-sensing to evaluate critical discrepancies between coccolithophore and satellite-derived PIC in the Pacific SO in non-bloom conditions. Plankton samples were collected from two latitudinal transects: from New Zealand to Antarctica (December 2004–January 2005) and across the Drake Passage (February–March 2016). Coccolithophore species specific PIC estimates were compared, based on 1) Scanning Electron Microscope cocolith morphometric analyses and 2) remote sensing PIC values acquired from NASA’s Ocean Color Web service. Considering that the SO is the cloudiest region on Earth (which limits the amount of satellite data available), in-situ and satellite-derived PIC datasets show very good agreement in both transects, particularly in the Subantarctic and Polar Front zones. Emiliania huxleyi morphogroup B substantially contributes to the sea-surface PIC content south of the Subantarctic Front in both transects, whereas E. huxleyi types A, A overcalcified, and other taxa (e.g. Calcidiscus leptoporus), only contribute to coccolithophore PIC in the northernmost stations.

Of particular interest are strong peaks in satellite-derived PIC south of the Polar Front, which do not show up in the coccolithophore data. We suggest that the high reflectance signal from this southernmost region (which could have been initially attributed to coccolithophores) may be due to the prevalence of small opal particles or unknown highly reflective particles (such as Phaeocystis aggregations or suspended sediment). Our observations highlight the importance of satellite products for estimating global PIC levels, while emphasizing the critical need for validation through field samples. This work contributes to our understanding of coccolithophore PIC dynamics in the “data desert” Pacific SO, offering valuable insights for both remote sensing applications and the broader field of marine science.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

02 Jul 2025
Mismatch between coccolithophore-based estimates of particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) concentration and satellite-derived PIC concentration in the Pacific Southern Ocean
Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, Karl-Heinz Baumann, Nuria Bachiller-Jareno, Harold Lovell, Nele Manon Vollmar, and Elisa Malinverno
Biogeosciences, 22, 3143–3164, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3143-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3143-2025, 2025
Short summary
Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, Karl-Heinz Baumann, Nuria Bachiller-Jareno, Harold Lovell, Nele Manon Vollmar, and Elisa Malinverno

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • EC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2801', Jamie Shutler, 15 Mar 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on EC1', Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, 14 Jun 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on EC1 -the right one-', Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, 17 Jun 2024
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2801', Anonymous Referee #1, 21 Apr 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, 14 Jun 2024
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC1 -the right one-', Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, 17 Jun 2024

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • EC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2801', Jamie Shutler, 15 Mar 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on EC1', Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, 14 Jun 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on EC1 -the right one-', Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, 17 Jun 2024
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2801', Anonymous Referee #1, 21 Apr 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, 14 Jun 2024
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC1 -the right one-', Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, 17 Jun 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (18 Jun 2024) by Jamie Shutler
AR by Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero on behalf of the Authors (07 Aug 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (07 Oct 2024) by Jamie Shutler
RR by Peter von Dassow (01 Nov 2024)
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (07 Nov 2024)
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (17 Dec 2024) by Jamie Shutler
AR by Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero on behalf of the Authors (25 Feb 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (18 Mar 2025) by Jamie Shutler
AR by Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero on behalf of the Authors (19 Mar 2025)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

02 Jul 2025
Mismatch between coccolithophore-based estimates of particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) concentration and satellite-derived PIC concentration in the Pacific Southern Ocean
Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, Karl-Heinz Baumann, Nuria Bachiller-Jareno, Harold Lovell, Nele Manon Vollmar, and Elisa Malinverno
Biogeosciences, 22, 3143–3164, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3143-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3143-2025, 2025
Short summary
Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, Karl-Heinz Baumann, Nuria Bachiller-Jareno, Harold Lovell, Nele Manon Vollmar, and Elisa Malinverno
Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero, Karl-Heinz Baumann, Nuria Bachiller-Jareno, Harold Lovell, Nele Manon Vollmar, and Elisa Malinverno

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Short summary
In this manuscript we combine micropalaeontology and remote-sensing. We compare the calcium carbonate produced by tiny marine algae called coccolithophores to satellite-derived particulate organic carbon in the Southern Ocean. They show good agreement north of the polar front, but hugely differ south of it. We argue that those highly reflective values could be due to small opal particles and we highlight the need to improve satellite algorithms in this unexplored part of the ocean.
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