PhD Student Seeking Knowledge on Mesopelagic Zone Microbial Activity and POC Remineralization

Hello everyone, my name is Lisa Li and I am a PhD student from the Department of Marine Chemistry at Xiamen University. My research focuses on optimizing and simulating the global ocean particle organic carbon (POC) output flux model, with a specific interest in the following areas: (1) the impact of riverine lithogenic ballasting effect on the global pattern of POC flux (export and transfer); (2) changes in POC export under current and future climate scenarios by the unique temperature sensitivity of different plankton groups; (3) regulation of POC transfer to the deep ocean by temperature-dependent microbial degradation processes. I primarily use the Community Earth System Model (CESM) to conduct my research, which allows me to simulate the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, oxygen, and major nutrients that control the growth of marine phytoplankton. My goal is to improve the descriptions of the above three directions in CESM and reveal their effects on global POC flux and the mechanisms involved.

I hope to gain knowledge related to mesopelagic zone microbial activity affecting POC re-mineralization during this training course. Thank you.