| During the second KErguelen Ocean and Plateau compared Study (KEOPS2) in October-November 2011, marine snow was formed in roller tanks by physical aggregation of phytoplankton assemblages sampled at 6 stations over and downstream of the Kerguelen Plateau. Sinking velocities, morphology, bulk composition (transparent exopolymer particles, biogenic silica, particulate organic carbon), and phytoplankton contents were measured individually on 66 aggregates to identify controls on sinking velocities. Equivalent spherical diameters (ESD) ranged from 1 to 12 mm, and the particle aspect ratios, Corey shape factors, and fractal dimensions (D-F1 = 1.5, D-F2 = 1.8) were close to those of smaller natural aggregates (0.2 to 1.5 mm) collected in polyacrylamide... |
