The Fate of Oxygen in the Ocean and Its Sensitivity to Local Changes in Biological Production

We investigate the sensitivity of oxygen content and true utilization key low-oxygen regions Ω to pointwise changes in biological production. To understand how combined water biogenic particle transport controls patterns fate ocean, we develop new relationships that link steady-state deficit downstream upstream rate (OUR), respectively. find amount from will be lost per unit volume at point r is linked OUR(r) through mean age accumulated Ω. The geographic pattern Ω-integrated shaped by where occurs causes this deficit. contribution controlled time spends before next ventilation surface. illustrate these timescales using a simple data-constrained carbon model. focus on being global Pacific Hypoxic Zone (PHZ, [O2] < 62.5 µM), North minimum zone. PHZ most sensitive mode intermediate waters form increased organic-matter production directly increases PHZ's demand. fraction local concentration utilized respiration as high 90% up 70% column beneath it.