About this Research Topic
Natural high-energy phenomena in the surface ocean (storms, typhoons, internal waves and mesoscale eddies) superimposed on human-induced global changes (global warming, ocean acidification, eutrophication, environmental pollution, overfishing etc.) are likely to affect the nutrient supply to the euphotic zone and the CO2 flux across the air-sea interface over marginal seas. Over the last 10 years or so, the Dongsha Atoll experimental facility has allowed practitioners of physical, chemical and biological oceanography, together with ecosystem and satellite remote sensing specialists from around the world to examine the complex interplay between transient physical disturbances and chemical and biological responses in the relatively well-studied setting of the northern South China Sea. Despite the large body of information produced, there is now an urgent need to examine how different climate change scenarios will modify the intensity and frequency of these physical disturbances, and hence their impact on the biogeochemistry of this large marginal sea. In this particular example, the projected increase in sea surface temperature is expected to increase the surface water stratification in the South China Sea, particularly in summer. This is expected to hinder the overturning of the water column, preventing nutrients from reaching the euphotic zone and decreasing primary productivity. On the other hand, the occurrence of more powerful typhoons, also due to global warming, may intensify coastal upwelling systems, thus intensifying the vertical flux of nutrients to the euphotic zone. This example shows how difficult it is to make general statements and predictions about climate change that apply at a regional scale.
Over the past few years, the ecological response to upper ocean perturbations has generated considerable research interests in various marginal seas. The purpose of this Research Topic is to provide a balanced perspective of all significant recent progress made on this topic, not only in the South China Sea but also in other marginal seas around the world. As such, this Research Topic will examine the biogeochemical and ecological consequences of any natural phenomenon that erodes density stratification and increases vertical mixing in marginal seas. This may include tidal currents, locally induced internal tides, internal waves, wind-induced upwelling, cyclonic eddies, storms, typhoons or hurricanes. Contributions that focus on the reciprocal interactions between these episodic, high-intensity phenomena and (i) climate and non-climate stressors, (ii) biogeochemical cycles or (iii) ecosystem functioning in marginal seas are particularly welcome.
Over the past few years, the ecological response to upper ocean perturbations has generated considerable research interests in various marginal seas. The purpose of this Research Topic is to provide a balanced perspective of all significant recent progress made on this topic, not only in the South China Sea but also in other marginal seas around the world. As such, this Research Topic will examine the biogeochemical and ecological consequences of any natural phenomenon that erodes density stratification and increases vertical mixing in marginal seas. This may include tidal currents, locally induced internal tides, internal waves, wind-induced upwelling, cyclonic eddies, storms, typhoons or hurricanes. Contributions that focus on the reciprocal interactions between these episodic, high-intensity phenomena and (i) climate and non-climate stressors, (ii) biogeochemical cycles or (iii) ecosystem functioning in marginal seas are particularly welcome.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
