Satellite‐Detected Ocean Ecosystem Response to Volcanic Eruptions in the Subarctic Northeast Pacific Ocean

• Published in: Geophysical research letters Vol. 46; no. 20; pp. 11270 - 11280
• Main Authors: Westberry, T.K., Shi, Y.R., Yu, H., Behrenfeld, M.J., Remer, L.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Goddard Space Flight Center American Geophysical Union 28.10.2019; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Acclimation; Archipelagoes; Atmospheric particulates; Biological fertilization; Biomass; Chlorophyll; Chlorophylls; Continental margins; Decay; Decay rate; Deposition; Dust storms; Ecosystems; Fertilization; Fluorescence; Geosciences (General); Growth rate; Iron; iron fertilization; Light effects; Marine ecosystems; Ocean color; Ocean colour; Oceans; Physiology; Phytoplankton; phytoplankton physiology; Plankton; Remote sensing; Satellites; Storms; Volcanic ash; Volcanic deposits; Volcanic eruption effects; Volcanic eruptions; Volcanoes; Winter storms; Pacific Ocean
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1029/2019GL083977

Volcanic eruptions in the Aleutian Archipelago during the summer of 2008 deposited large quantities of iron‐laden ash to the subarctic North Pacific Ocean. The surface ocean ecosystem response has been previously characterized using limited in situ and autonomous field measurements and numerical modeling, but basin‐scale satellite remote sensing has been limited to a simple description of chlorophyll variability. Here, we show that the ecosystem response is a complex combination of phytoplankton biomass and physiology that can be described with satellite ocean color diagnostics such as the chlorophyll‐to‐carbon biomass ratio (Chl:Cphyto) and chlorophyll fluorescence yield. Together, these quantities outline a more complete picture of ecological responses spanning unique signals of iron stress (and relief from), photo acclimation, changes in phytoplankton growth rate, increases in biomass, and timescales of decay for these processes.