METEOR M137

The magnitude of nutrient and trace metal release from oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) sediments as well as their fate in the water column is of utmost importance for the pelagic nutrient budget and consequently for the ongoing expansion of OMZs. The research cruise will be conducted within the framework of the Kiel SFB 754 "Climate – Biogeochemistry Interactions in the Tropical Ocean". The major aim of the research cruise is to quantify this benthic-pelagic coupling under variable environmental conditions. Major component is the experimental simulation of nutrient and trace metal fluxes under variable bottom water redox conditions. Investigation of mixing processes in the bottom boundary layer (BBL) and quantification of diapycnal and advective fluxes across the BBL and the stratified water column will be used to resolve the fate of these substances.