THE OUTPACE PROJECT

Interactions between planktonic organisms and biogeochemical cycles across trophic and N2 fixation gradients in the western tropical South Pacific Ocean: a multidisciplinary approach (OUTPACE experiment)

PIs: Thierry Moutin & Sophie Bonnet

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The overall goal of OUTPACE (Oligotrophy to UlTra-oligotrophy PACific Experiment) was to obtain a successful representation of the interactions between planktonic organisms and the cycle of biogenic elements in the western tropical South Pacific Ocean across trophic and N2 fixation gradients. Within the context of climate change, it is necessary to better quantify the ability of the oligotrophic ocean to sequester carbon through biological processes. OUTPACE was organized around three main objectives, which were 

• to perform a zonal characterization of the biogeochemistry and biological diversity of the western tropical South Pacific during austral summer conditions, 

• to study the production and fate of organic matter (including carbon export) in three contrasting trophic regimes (increasing oligotrophy) with a particular emphasis on the role of dinitrogen fixation,

• to obtain a representation of the main biogeochemical fluxes and dynamics of the planktonic trophic network.

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The international OUTPACE cruise took place between 18 February and 3 April 2015 aboard the RV L'Atalanteand involved 60 scientists (30 onboard).

The major experimental and modelling results obtained during the project are described in the OUTPACE SPECIAL ISSUE and OTHER PUBLICATIONS from the project.