Linking Southern Ocean Mixed‐Layer Dynamics to Net Community Production on Various Timescales

Mixed-layer dynamics exert a first order control on nutrient and light availability for phytoplankton. In this study, we examine the influence of mixed-layer net community production (NCP) in Southern Ocean intra-seasonal, seasonal, interannual, decadal timescales, using biogeochemical Argo floats satellite-derived NCP estimates during period from 1997 to 2020. On intraseasonal shoaling mixed layer is more likely enhance austral spring winter, suggesting an alleviation limitation. As expected, generally increases with seasonal timescales. interannual correlated depth (MLD) mixed-layer-averaged photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) especially regions deeper layers. Though recent studies have argued that winter MLD controls subsequent growing season's iron availability, limited number float observations contemporaneous our satellite do not show significant correlation between previous-winter's Over 1997–2020 period, observe regional trends (e.g., increasing around S. America), but no trend entire Ocean. Overall, results dependence complex function