Award: OCE-1459835

This project resulted in an improved understanding of how carbon is transferred and stored throughout the oceans via a process known as the biological carbon pump. Using underwater imaging and laser systems, the McDonnell laboratory was able to map out the abundances and size distributions of marine particles and zooplankton in the Gulf of Alaska as well as the broader Pacific Ocean. These underwater optical systems and associated analysis methods allowed for improved spatial resolution of this data and new insights into the mechanisms that control the production, transformation, transport, and fate of particulate matter in the oceans. The results of this effort have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and graduate theses, presented at scientific conferences, and highlighted in a number of press releases and news articles. A new, affordable underwater optical package was developed that has enabled time series measurements of particle and plankton dynamics in conjunction with moored ecosystem observatories in the Gulf of Alaska and beyond. The outcomes of this research served as a proof of concept and justification to pursue new, expanded studies using underwater optical instrumentation, including a global survey of marine particles with an NSF CAREER award, as well as long term optical monitoring of particles and plankton in conjunction with the new Northern Gulf of Alaska Long Term Ecological Research (NGA LTER) project. The data generated by this project have become part of a growing global database of marine particle and plankton images that is accelerating discovery in our field of study. This dataset is publicly available, allowing anyone to see the diversity of particles and plankton observed in the oceans. This grant supported the training of two graduate students who participated in oceanographic fieldwork, analyzed data, authored scientific publications and presentations, and completed their M.S. degrees in oceanography. The grant supported the development and delivery of an observational oceanography course aboard R/V Sikuliaq. Last Modified: 06/26/2019 Submitted by: Andrew M Mcdonnell