Respiratory quotients of particle-associated microbes track carbon flux attenuation in the mesopelagic Southern Ocean.

ABSTRACT: Mesopelagic microbes and zooplankton, degrade, and attenuate >90% of the 10 billion tonnes of particulate organic carbon that sinks into the oceans' interior annually. Approaches such as particle interceptors/incubators (called c-respire) can isolate the microbial assemblage attached to particles from that of zooplankton, enabling quantification of microbially mediated particulate organic carbon flux attenuation. This metric yields patterns of particulate organic carbon degradation by microorganisms through the upper mesopelagic (200-500 m depth). Here, we investigate the temporal sequence of particulate organic carbon degradation in two steps. First, we intercept sinking particle assemblages from different depths (180-300 m) and hence with varying degrees of exposure to microbial activity

SUBMITTER: Kennedy F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12694406 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature