资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

We explore a novel and spatially extensive data set obtained from Biogeochemical-Argo (or BGC-Argo) floats, containing 16,796 profiles of the particulate backscattering coefficient at 700 nm (b(bp)(700)) measured with three different sensors. We focus at the 900-950m depth interval (within the mesopelagic), where we found values to be relatively constant. While we find significant differences between estimates of bbp(700) obtained with different sensors (similar to 30% disagreement), the median values in most oceanic regions obtained with a single type of sensor are within 50% of each other and are consistent with measurements of suspended mass conducted in the early 1970s. Deviations from the quasi-constant background value likely indicate times and locations associated with higher particulate export to depth. Indeed, we observe that in productive high-latitude regions, a deep seasonal signal is observed, with enhanced values recorded a few months after surface spring/summer maximal concentrations. In addition, the deep b(bp)(700) is highest in regions exhibiting suboxic-anoxic conditions (e.g., Northern Indian Ocean), which have been associated with local particulate production as well as reduced particle flux attenuation.