A review of the marine biogeochemical response to typhoons

Abstract

Typhoons are extreme weather events that can not only affect marine dynamics, but also change marine biogeochemistry, considerably impacting the climate. Based on the satellite remote sensing data, the upwelling of abundant nutrients induced by typhoons from deeper eutrophic water to the upper oligotrophic layer triggers phytoplankton blooms in the upper oceans, thereby increasing new productivity (as a carbon sink). However, field observations have shown that organic matter decomposition (as a carbon source) is the dominant process regardless of whether phytoplankton blooms occur after typhoons, resulting in oxygen consumption in the water column. Therefore, it is particularly important to comprehensively study the coupling mechanisms of biogeochemistry and dynamics in the ocean after typhoons. Here, we present a systematic overview summarizing the effects of typhoons on marine dynamics and biogeochemistry and elaborating on the characteristics and mechanisms of organic matter decomposition induced by typhoons.

Keywords: Decomposition; Organic matter; Phytoplankton blooms; Typhoons.