Biological Oceanography
in a Changing Ocean
Biogeochemical impact of mesoscale and sub-mesoscale processes along the life history of cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies: plankton variability and productivity
About
The main goal of e-IMPACT (PID2019-109084RB-C21) is to assess the relevance of oceanic subtropical cyclonic (C) and anticyclonic (A) mesoscale eddies in the context of the Biological Pump (i.e. the production of organic matter and its transport to the deep ocean). To achieve this goal, we will study the linkage in the dynamics of mesoscale (O~100 km) and sub-mesoscale (O~10 km) physical processes and their biological and biogeochemical impacts, along the life history of C and A eddies (from their generation to a mature stage), in the Canary Current Corridor. The project will combine traditional oceanographic sampling with novel instrumentation (e.g. buoys and gliders) to sample down to the sub-mesoscale.
Scientific Cruises
Biogeochemical implications of the cyclonic and anticyclonic eddy fields will be studied in the “Canary Eddy Corridor” (CEC), during the generation period (South of the Canary Islands) at high resolution (0,1 – 10 km), on board of the Sarmiento de Gamboa ship.
e-IMPACT 1
First Scientific Cruise
Read more about our e-IMPACT1 cruise as it ventures into the subtropical eddies.
This is planned 4 to 5 months after the first one. The plan is to go to the same eddies during a more mature state, as they will be displaced to the South East following the CEC. The eddies would be monitored employing satellite images and drifters launched in the centre of the eddies during the first cruise.
e-IMPACT 2
Second Scientific Cruise
Follow the e-IMPACT 2 cruise as it ventures into the subtropical eddies.
Research Participants
Principal investigators:
Members of the research team:
Physics Department/ULPGC
Physics Department/ULPGC
IOCAG/ULPGC
Chemistry Department/ULPGC
Biology Department/ULPGC
Chemistry Department/ULPGC
Physics Department/ULPGC
Work team:
IEO, Spain
Physics Department/ULPGC, Spain
Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, Chile
Research and Higher Education Center of Mexico, Mexico
Physics Department/ULPGC, Spain
Research and Higher Education Center of Mexico, Mexico