TY - JOUR T1 - Global Variability of Optical Backscattering by Non-algal particles From a Biogeochemical-Argo Data Set A1 - Bellacicco,M. A1 - Cornec,M. A1 - Organelli,E. A1 - Brewin,R. J. W. A1 - Neukermans,G. A1 - Volpe,G. A1 - Barbieux,M. A1 - Poteau,A. A1 - Schmechtig,C. A1 - D'Ortenzio,F. A1 - Marullo,S. A1 - Claustre,H. A1 - Pitarch,J. AD - Italian Natl Agcy New Technol Energy & Sustainabl, Frascati, Italy. AD - Sorbonne Univ, CNRS, Lab Oceanog Villefranche, Villefranche Sur Mer, France. AD - Univ Exeter, Coll Life & Environm Sci, Exeter, Devon, England. AD - Plymouth Marine Lab, Plymouth, Devon, England. AD - CNR, Inst Marine Sci ISMAR, Rome, Italy. AD - Univ Utrecht, Dept Coastal Syst, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Inst Sea Res, Texel, Netherlands. UR - https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00676/78803/ DO - 10.1029/2019GL084078 N2 - Understanding spatial and temporal dynamics of non-algal particles in open ocean is of the utmost importance to improve estimations of carbon export and sequestration. These particles covary with phytoplankton abundance but also accumulate independently of algal dynamics. The latter likely represents an important fraction of organic carbon, but it is largely overlooked. A possible way to study these particles is via their optical backscattering properties (b(bp)) and relationship with chlorophyll-a (Chi). To this aim, we estimate the fraction of b(bp) associated with the non-algal particle portion (b(bp)(k)) that does not covary with Chl by using a global Biogeochemical-Argo data set. We quantify the spatial, temporal, and vertical variability of b(bp)(k). In the northern productive areas, b(bp)(k) is a small fraction of b(bp) and shows a clear seasonal cycle. In the Southern Ocean, b(bp)(k) is a major fraction of total b(bp). In oligotrophic areas, b(bp)(k) has a smooth annual cycle. Y1 - 2019/08 PB - Amer Geophysical Union JF - Geophysical Research Letters SN - 0094-8276 VL - 46 IS - 16 SP - 9767 EP - 9776 ID - 78803 ER -