@article{fdi:010069391,
  title = {{T}ransparent exopolymer particles : effects on carbon cycling in the ocean},
  author = {{M}ari, {X}avier and {P}assow, {U}. and {M}igon, {C}. and {B}urd, {A}. {B}. and {L}egendre, {L}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}ransparent {E}xopolymer {P}articles ({TEP}) have received considerable attention since they were first described in the ocean more than 20 years ago. {T}his is because of their carbon-rich composition, their high concentrations in ocean's surface waters, and especially because of their ability to promote aggregation due to their high stickiness (i.e. biological glue). {A}s large aggregates contribute significantly to vertical carbon flux, {TEP} are commonly seen as a key factor that drives the downward flux of particulate organic carbon ({POC}). {H}owever, the density of {TEP} is lower than that of seawater, which causes them to remain in surface waters and even move upwards if not ballasted by other particles, which often leads to their accumulation in the sea surface microlayer. {H}ence we question here the generally accepted view that {TEP} always increase the downward flux of {POC} via gravitational settling. {I}n the present reassessment of the role of {TEP}, we examine how the presence of a pool of non-sinking carbon-rich particulate organic matter in surface waters influences the cycling of organic carbon in the upper ocean at daily to decadal time scales. {I}n particular, we focus on the role of {TEP} in the retention of organic carbon in surface waters versus downward export, and discuss the potential consequences of climate change on this process and on the efficiency of the biological carbon pump. {W}e show that {TEP} sink only when ballasted with enough high-density particles to compensate their low density, and hence that their role in vertical {POC} export is not solely linked to their ability to promote aggregation, but also to their contribution to the buoyancy of {POC}. {I}t follows that the {TEP} fraction of {POC} determines the degree of retention and remineralization of {POC} in surface waters versus its downward export. {A} high {TEP} concentration may temporally decouple primary production and downward export. {W}e identify two main parameters that affect the contribution of {TEP} to {POC} cycling; {TEP} stickiness, and the balance between {TEP} production and degradation rates. {B}ecause stickiness, production and degradation of {TEP} vary with environmental conditions, the role of {TEP} in controlling the balance between retention versus export, and hence the drawdown of atmospheric {CO}2 by the biological carbon pump, can be highly variable, and is likely to be affected by climate change.},
  keywords = {{T}ransparent exopolymer particles ; {D}ensity ; {B}allast ; {A}ggregation ; {S}inking ; {B}iological carbon pump},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}rogress in {O}ceanography},
  volume = {151},
  numero = {},
  pages = {13--37},
  ISSN = {0079-6611},
  year = {2017},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.pocean.2016.11.002},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010069391},
}