Temperature effects on carbon mineralization of sinking copepod carcasses

Copepod carcasses are prevalent in marine ecosystems and might represent an important component of the sinking flux particulate organic carbon ocean. The extent to which copepod contribute biological pump is controlled by different environmental factors, including temperature. However, effect temperature on longer-term kinetics mineralization not well-studied. We conducted laboratory experiments quantify associated with cosmopolitan Acartia tonsa through aerobic microbial respiration at 5 temperatures (20, 16, 12, 8, 4°C). Microbial rates were positively correlated characterized initial short lag-phase, a rapid increase maximum rate, subsequent gradual decline rate degradation. On average, 50% total was mineralized within 6-12 d 20°C, versus >60 4°C. During incubations, most occurred ambient seawater, likely fueled dissolved leaking from into surrounding seawater. Extrapolating measured turnover suggests that constrained surface In contrast, 4°C, can reach deep ocean before they have been completely degraded. Hence, low-temperature regions, may agent for export pump.