Fine-scale currents, O(1–100 km, days–months), are actively involved in the transport and transformation of biogeochemical tracers in the ocean. However, their overall impact on large-scale biogeochemical cycling on the timescale of years remains poorly understood due to the multiscale nature of the problem. Here, we summarize these impacts and critically review current estimates. We examine how eddy fluxes and upscale connections enter into the large-scale balance of biogeochemical tracers. We show that the overall contribution of eddy fluxes to primary production and carbon export may not be as large as it is for oxygen ventilation. We highlight the importance of fine scales to low-frequency natural variability through upscale connections and show that they may also buffer the negative effects of climate change on the functioning of biogeochemical cycles. Significant interdisciplinary efforts are needed to properly account for the cross-scale effects of fine scales on biogeochemical cycles in climate projections.

中文翻译：

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细尺度洋流对变化海洋中生物地球化学循环的影响


细尺度洋流，O（1-100公里，日-月），积极参与海洋中生物地球化学示踪剂的运输和转化。然而，由于问题的多尺度性质，人们对它们在数年时间尺度上对大规模生物地球化学循环的总体影响仍然知之甚少。在这里，我们总结了这些影响并严格审查了当前的估计。我们研究涡流和高级连接如何进入生物地球化学示踪剂的大规模平衡。我们表明，涡流对初级生产和碳输出的总体贡献可能不如对氧气通风的贡献大。我们强调了精细尺度通过高档连接对低频自然变异的重要性，并表明它们还可以缓冲气候变化对生物地球化学循环功能的负面影响。需要进行重大的跨学科努力，以正确解释气候预测中精细尺度对生物地球化学循环的跨尺度影响。