Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The Arctic Ocean has undergone accelerated warming and a marked decline in sea ice over recent decades. Yet, the response of the biological pump—a critical mechanism for atmospheric carbon sequestration—remains poorly understood. Here, we develop a satellite-derived dataset (2003–2022) to identify a regime shift in the Arctic biological pump. Between 2003 and 2012, the strength and efficiency of the biological pump increased rapidly, primarily driven by sea ice decline. However, from 2013 to 2022, this trend plateaued, coinciding with stabilized sea ice conditions and increased phytoplankton biomass. Earth system model simulations (1850–2100) support the observed link between biological pump enhancement and sea ice loss, and project a future regime shift towards a weakened biological pump under nearly ice-free conditions, associated with shifts in phytoplankton community structure. These findings underscore the Arctic’s vulnerability to climate-driven changes, with far-reaching implications for Arctic carbon sequestration and ecosystem stability. Arctic sea ice loss is reshaping the ocean’s carbon pump. Satellite data show an early boost, then stagnation, while models warn of future weakening under ice-free conditions, threatening carbon storage and ecosystems.
Source: Nature Communications
Authors: Ming Wu, Yuhan Hu, Chengfeng Le, Fanyu Lin, Tingyu Gu, Peifang Deng, Zong-Pei Jiang, Kui Wang, Yihui Chen, Wei-Lei Wang, Musheng Lan, Ruibo Lei, Jianfeng He, Di Qi, Zhangxian Ouyang, John C. Lehrter, Chuanmin Hu, Wei-Jun Cai
Institutions: Zhejiang University, China Meteorological Administration, Peking University, Xiamen University, State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Polar Research Institute of China, Ministry of Natural Resources, Jimei University, University of Delaware, University of South Alabama, University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Language: English
Subfield: Oceanography
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Funders: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Oregon State University, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Zhejiang University, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province
OpenAlex ID: W4416593202