Short biography:
I am a physical oceanography researcher (post-doct) in the Marine Physics and Ocean Climate group at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton (UK), starting a new role as researcher on the physical carbon pump at the Laboratoire d'Océanographie Physique et Spatiale (IFREMER, Brest, France).
I graduated in Marine Science and did a MSc in Applied Physics (2008) at the University of Vigo (Spain), before completing a PhD in Oceanography from University of Vigo in 2013. Prior to joining NOC, I held post-doctoral positions at the Marine Research Institute of Vigo (Spanish National Research Council) and at the University of Vigo, with the latter being partly based at NOC and IFREMER.
My research interest is focused on in situ observations and data analysis of physical and carbon system variables, particularly in the North Atlantic, to explore the linkage between ocean physics and circulation with the atmosphere and the biogeochemical cycles.
Abstract:
The Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) plays a major role in the carbon cycle by meridional redistribution of carbon and nutrients. In the North Atlantic, biological productivity and associated carbon uptake by the Biological Carbon Pump (BCP) is supported by northward nutrient transport in the upper limb of the MOC. Changes in MOC strength might thus be expected to alter regional nutrient cycles and the strength and/or efficiency of the BCP. Observations from the RAPID, Argo and GO-SHIP International Programs were used to obtain a continuous time series of the basin-wide meridional nutrient transport across the 26.5°N-RAPID section for the 2004–2012 period, and to calculate in situ cruise-based nutrient transports and inventories in 2004 and 2010 (A05-24.5°N and OVIDE sections). I will present some results of our analysis, showing that the overturning circulation strength dominates the total nutrient transports on the observational time scale (MOC explaining ~90% of the variance), and ultimately providing some signs of non-steady state behaviour of the North Atlantic nutrient inventories corresponding to the observed MOC slowdown.
Arranged date for the seminar talk: Nov 29, 2019 at 14:15
Location:U1-1120 (GF, West Wing, Jahnebakken 5).