Abstract. Wind forcing plays a pivotal role in driving upper-ocean physical and biogeochemical processes, yet direct wind observations remain sparse in many regions of the global ocean. While passive acoustics have been used to estimate wind speed from moored and mobile platforms, their application to profiling floats has been demonstrated only in limited cases. Here we report the first deployment of a biogeochemical profiling float equipped with a passive acoustic sensor explicitly designed for wind retrieval, aimed at detecting wind-driven surface signals from depth. The float was deployed in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea near the DYFAMED (DYnamique des Flux Atmosphériques en MEDiterranée) meteorological buoy from February to April 2025 and operated at parking depths of 500–1000 m. We demonstrate that wind speed can be successfully retrieved from subsurface ambient noise using established acoustic algorithms, with float-derived estimates showing good agreement with collocated surface observations. To evaluate scalability to remote regions, we simulate a remote deployment scenario by refitting the acoustic model of Nystuen et al. (2015) using ERA5 reanalysis as a reference for surface wind. The ERA5-based calibration performs well under moderate winds but exhibits systematic high-wind bias (≥ 10 m s−1). Finally, we apply a residual learning framework to correct these estimates using a limited subset of DYFAMED wind data, simulating conditions where only brief surface observations are available. The corrected wind time series achieved a 38.6 % reduction in RMSE, demonstrating the effectiveness of combining reanalysis with sparse in-situ calibration. This framework improves agreement with in-situ wind observations relative to reanalysis alone, supporting a scalable strategy for float-based wind monitoring in data-sparse ocean regions. Such capability has direct implications for improving estimates of air–sea exchanges, interpreting biogeochemical fluxes, and advancing climate-relevant ocean observing.

Abstract The effect of mesoscale features on the distribution of planktonic organisms are well documented. Yet, the interaction between these spatial features and the temporal scale, which can result in sudden increases of the planktonic biomass, is less known and not described at high resolution. A permanent mesoscale front in the Ligurian Sea (north‐western Mediterranean) was repeatedly sampled between January and June 2021 using a SeaExplorer glider equipped with an Underwater Vision Profiler 6 (UVP6), a versatile in situ imager. Both plankton and particle distributions were resolved throughout the spring bloom to assess whether the front was a location of increased zooplankton concentration and whether it constrained particle distribution. Over the 5 months, the glider performed more than 5000 dives and the UVP6 collected 1.1 million images. We focused our analysis on shallow (300 m) transects, which gave a horizontal resolution of 900 m. About 13,000 images of planktonic organisms were retained. Ordination methods applied to particles and plankton concentrations revealed strong temporal variations during the bloom, with a succession of various zooplankton communities. Changes in particle abundance and size could be explained by changes in the plankton community. The front had a strong influence on particle distribution, while the signal was not as clear for plankton, probably because of the relatively small number of imaged organisms. This work confirms the need to sample both plankton and particles at fine scale to understand their interactions, a task for which automated in situ imaging is particularly adapted.

Abstract The gravitational sinking of particles in the mesopelagic layer (∼200–1,000 m) transfers to the deep ocean a part of atmospheric carbon fixed by phytoplankton. This process, called the gravitational pump, exerts an important control on atmospheric CO 2 levels but remains poorly characterized given the limited spatio‐temporal coverage of ship‐based flux measurements. Here, we examined the gravitational pump with BioGeoChemical‐Argo floats in the Southern Ocean, a critically under‐sampled area. Using time‐series of bio‐optical measurements, we characterized the concentration of particles in the productive zone, their export and transfer efficiency in the underlying mesopelagic zone, and the magnitude of sinking flux at 1,000 m. We separated float observations into six environments delineated by latitudinal fronts, sea‐ice coverage, and natural iron fertilization. Results show a significant increase in the sinking‐particle flux at 1,000 m with increasing latitude, despite comparable particle concentrations in the productive layer. The variability in deep flux was driven by changes in the transfer efficiency of the flux, related to the composition of the phytoplanktonic community and the size of particles, with intense flux associated with the predominance of micro‐phytoplankton and large particles at the surface. We quantified the relationships between the nature of surface particles and the flux at 1,000 m and used these results to upscale our flux survey across the whole Southern Ocean using surface observations by floats and satellites. We then estimated the basin‐wide Spring‐Summer flux of sinking particles at 1,000 m over the Southern Ocean (0.054 ± 0.021 Pg C).

Background: Biogeochemical-Argo floats are collecting an unprecedented number of profiles of optical backscattering measurements in the global ocean. Backscattering (BBP) data are crucial to understanding ocean particle dynamics and the biological carbon pump. Yet, so far, no procedures have been agreed upon to quality control BBP data in real time. Methods: Here, we present a new suite of real-time quality-control tests and apply them to the current global BBP Argo dataset. The tests were developed by expert BBP users and Argo data managers and have been implemented on a snapshot of the entire Argo dataset. Results: The new tests are able to automatically flag most of the “bad” BBP profiles from the raw dataset. Conclusions: The proposed tests have been approved by the Biogeochemical-Argo Data Management Team and will be implemented by the Argo Data Assembly Centres to deliver real-time quality-controlled profiles of optical backscattering. Provided they reach a pressure of about 1000 dbar, these tests could also be applied to BBP profiles collected by other platforms.

Influence of the phytoplankton community composition on the in situ fluorescence signal: Implication for an improved estimation of the chlorophyll-a concentration from BiogeoChemical-Argo profiling floats.

This study assesses marine community production based on the diel variability of bio-optical properties monitored by two BioGeoChemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) floats. Experiments were conducted in two distinct Mediterranean systems, the northwestern Ligurian Sea and the central Ionian Sea, during summer months. We derived particulate organic carbon (POC) stock and gross community production integrated within the surface, euphotic and subsurface chlorophyll maximum (SCM) layers, using an existing approach applied to diel cycle measurements of the particulate beam attenuation (c_p) and backscattering (b_bp) coefficients. The diel cycle of c_p provided a robust proxy for quantifying biological production in both systems; that of b_bp was comparatively less robust. Derived primary production estimates vary by a factor of 2 depending upon the choice of the bio-optical relationship that converts the measured optical coefficient to POC, which is thus a critical step to constrain. Our results indicate a substantial contribution to the water column production of the SCM layer (16 %-42 %), which varies largely with the considered system. In the Ligurian Sea, the SCM is a seasonal feature that behaves as a subsurface biomass maximum (SBM) with the ability to respond to episodic abiotic forcing by increasing production. In contrast, in the Ionian Sea, the SCM is permanent, primarily induced by phytoplankton photoacclimation, and contributes moderately to water column production. These results clearly demonstrate the strong potential for transmissometers deployed on BGC-Argo profiling floats to quantify non-intrusively in situ biological production of organic carbon in the water column of stratified oligotrophic systems with recurring or permanent SCMs, which are widespread features in the global ocean.

Abstract. Upper suboxic water masses confine a majority of the microbial communities that can produce up to 90 % of oceanic N2. This effective N2-yielding section encloses a suspended small-particle layer, inferred from particle backscattering (bbp) measurements. It is thus hypothesized that this layer (hereafter, the bbp-layer) is linked to N2-yielding microbial communities such as anammox and denitrifying bacteria – a hypothesis yet to be evaluated. Here, data collected by three BGC-Argo floats deployed in the Black Sea are used to investigate the origin of this bbp-layer. To this end, we evaluate how key drivers of anammox-denitrifying bacteria dynamics impact on the vertical distribution of bbp and the thickness of the bbp-layer. In conjunction with published data on N2 excess, our results suggest that the bbp-layer is at least partially composed of anammox-denitrifying bacteria for three main reasons: (1) strong correlations are recorded between bbp and nitrate; (2) the top location of the bbp-layer is driven by the ventilation of oxygen-rich subsurface waters, while its thickness is modulated by the amount of nitrate available to produce N2; (3) the maxima of both bbp and N2 excess coincide at the same isopycnals where denitrifying-anammox bacteria coexist. We thus advance that bbp and O2 can be exploited as a combined proxy to delineate the N2-yielding section of the Black Sea. This proxy can potentially contribute to refining delineation of the effective N2-yielding section of oxygen-deficient zones via data from the growing BGC-Argo float network.

Stratified oceanic systems are characterized by the presence of a so-called Deep Chlorophyll a Maximum (DCM) not detectable by ocean color satellites. A DCM can either be a phytoplankton (carbon) biomass maximum (Deep Biomass Maximum, DBM), or the consequence of photoacclimation processes (Deep photoAcclimation Maximum, DAM) resulting in the increase of chlorophyll a per phytoplankton carbon. Even though these DCM (further qualified as either DBMs or DAMs) have long been studied, no global-scale assessment has yet been undertaken and large knowledge gaps still remain in relation to the environmental drivers responsible for their formation and maintenance. In order to investigate their spatial and temporal variability in the open ocean, we use a global data set acquired by more than 500 Biogeochemical-Argo floats given that DCMs can be detected from the comparative vertical distribution of chlorophyll a concentrations and particulate backscattering coefficients. Our findings show that the seasonal dynamics of the DCMs are clearly region-dependent. High-latitude environments are characterized by a low occurrence of intense DBMs, restricted to summer. Meanwhile, oligotrophic regions host permanent DAMs, occasionally replaced by DBMs in summer, while subequatorial waters are characterized by permanent DBMs benefiting from favorable conditions in terms of both light and nutrients. Overall, the appearance and depth of DCMs are primarily driven by light attenuation in the upper layer. Our present assessment of DCM occurrence and of environmental conditions prevailing in their development lay the basis for a better understanding and quantification of their role in carbon budgets (primary production and export).

Measuring the underwater light field is a key mission of the international Biogeochemical-Argo program. Since 2012, 0–250 dbar profiles of downwelling irradiance at 380, 412 and 490 nm besides photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) have been acquired across the globe every 1 to 10 days. The resulting unprecedented amount of radiometric data has been previously quality-controlled for real-time distribution and ocean optics applications, yet some issues affecting the accuracy of measurements at depth have been identified such as changes in sensor dark responsiveness to ambient temperature, with time and according to the material used to build the instrument components. Here, we propose a quality-control procedure to solve these sensor issues to make Argo radiometry data available for delayed-mode distribution, with associated error estimation. The presented protocol requires the acquisition of ancillary radiometric measurements at the 1000 dbar parking depth and night-time profiles. A test on >10,000 profiles from across the world revealed a quality-control success rate >90% for each band. The procedure shows similar performance in re-qualifying low radiometry values across diverse oceanic regions. We finally recommend, for future deployments, acquiring daily 1000 dbar measurements and one night profile per year, preferably during moonless nights and when the temperature range between the surface and 1000 dbar is the largest.

The shallower oxygen-poor water masses of the ocean confine a majority of the microbial communities that can produce up to 90 % of oceanic N 2. This effective N 2yielding section encloses a suspended small-particle layer, inferred from particle backscattering (b bp) measurements. It is thus hypothesized that this layer (hereafter, the b bp-layer) is linked to microbial communities involved in N 2 yielding such as nitrate-reducing SAR11 as well as sulfur-oxidizing, anammox, and denitrifying bacteria-a hypothesis yet to be evaluated. Here, data collected by three BGC-Argo floats deployed in the Black Sea are used to investigate the origin of this b bp-layer. To this end, we evaluate how the key drivers of N 2-yielding bacteria dynamics impact the vertical distribution of b bp and the thickness of the b bp-layer. In conjunction with published data on N 2 excess, our results suggest that the b bp-layer is at least partially composed of the bacteria driving N 2 yielding for three main reasons: (1) strong correlations are recorded between b bp and nitrate; (2) the top location of the b bp-layer is driven by the ventilation of oxygen-rich subsurface waters, while its thickness is modulated by the amount of nitrate available to produce N 2 ; and (3) the maxima of both b bp and N 2 excess coincide at the same isopycnals where bacteria involved in N 2 yielding coexist. We thus advance that b bp and O 2 can be exploited as a combined proxy to delineate the N 2-yielding section of the Black Sea. This proxy can potentially contribute to refining delineation of the effective N 2-yielding section of oxygendeficient zones via data from the growing BGC-Argo float network.

The international array of profiling floats known as Argo is a major component of the global ocean-and climate-observing system. In 2010, the NAOS (Novel Argo Observing System) project was selected as part of France's Equipex "Investissement d'Avenir" program. The objectives of NAOS were to consolidate the French contribution to the Argo core mission (global temperature and salinity measurements down to 2,000 m) as well as to develop the future generation of French Argo profiling floats and prepare the next phase of the Argo program with an extension to the deep ocean (Deep-Argo), biogeochemistry (BGC-Argo) and polar seas. This paper summarizes the main technological advances and at-sea validations carried out as part of NAOS: development of a deep (4,000 m) float, a new BGC float for Research & Development (R&D) applications, and a BGC float for deployments in Arctic areas, assessment of a new density and Absolute Salinity optical sensor, improvement of the reliability of the standard Argo float, and upgraded satellite-transmission performance. French profiling floats developed in this way are now operational and among the most deployed worldwide, and the density sensor is the most promising of its kind for profiling floats applications.

Argo, the international array of profiling floats, is a major component of the global ocean and climate observing system. In 2010, the NAOS (Novel Argo Observing System) project was selected as part of the French "Investissements d'Avenir" Equipex program. The objectives of NAOS were to consolidate the French contribution to Argo's core mission (global temperature and salinity measurements down to 2000 m), and also to develop the future generation of French Argo profiling floats and prepare the next phase of the Argo program with an extension to the deep ocean (Deep Argo), biogeochemistry (BGC-Argo) and polar seas. This paper summarizes how NAOS has met its objectives. The project significantly boosted France's contribution to Argo's core mission by deploying more than 100 NAOS standard Argo profiling floats. In addition, NAOS deployed new-generation floats as part of three scientific experiments: biogeochemical floats in the Mediterranean Sea, biogeochemical floats in the Arctic Ocean, and deep floats with oxygen sensors in the North Atlantic. The experiment in the Mediterranean Sea, launched in 2012, implemented and maintained a network of BGC-Argo floats at basin scale for the first time. The 32 BGC-Argo floats deployed and about 4000 BGC profiles collected have vastly improved characterization of the biogeochemical and ecosystem dynamics of the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, experiments in the Arctic and in the North Atlantic, starting in 2015 and deploying 20 Arctic BGC floats and 23 deep floats, have provided unique observations on biogeochemical cycles in the Arctic and deep-water masses, as well as ocean circulation variability in the North Atlantic. NAOS has therefore paved the way to the new operational phase of the Argo program in France that includes BGC and Deep Argo extensions. The objectives and characteristics of this new phase of Argo-France are discussed in the conclusion.

The South Pacific Subtropical Gyre (SPSG) is a vast and remote oceanic system where the variability in phytoplankton biomass and production is still largely uncertain due to the lack of in situ biogeochemical observations. The SPSG is an oligotrophic environment where the ecosystem is controlled predominantly by nutrient depletion in surface waters. However, this dynamic is altered in the vicinity of islands where increased biological activity occurs (i.e. the island mass effect, IME). This study mainly focuses on in situ observations which show evidence of an IME leeward of Tahiti (17.7°S - 149.5°W), French Polynesia. Physical and biogeochemical observations collected with two Biogeochemical-Argo profiling floats are used to investigate the dynamics of phytoplankton biomass. Data from the first float, drifting from April 2015 to November 2016 over >1000 km westward of Tahiti, describe the open ocean conditions. The second float, deployed leeward of Tahiti in October 2015, stayed within 45 km off Tahiti for three months before it stopped communicating. In the oligotrophic central SPSG, our observations show that the deepening of the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) from winter to summer is light-driven and that the wintertime increase in chlorophyll a concentration in the upper layer is likely to be due to the process of photoacclimation, consistent with previous observations in oligotrophic environments. In contrast, leeward of Tahiti, the DCM widens toward the surface during late spring in association with a biological enhancement in the upper layer. Using Biogeochemical-Argo data, meteorological data from Tahiti, Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model outputs and satellite-derived products (i.e., horizontal currents and associated fronts), the physical mechanisms involved in producing this biological enhancement leeward of Tahiti have been investigated. The IME occurs during a period of strong precipitation and in a zone of weak currents downstream of the island. We conjecture that the land drainage induces a significant supply of nitrate in the ocean upper layer (down to ~100 m) while a zone of weak currents in the southwestern zone behind Tahiti allows an accumulation zone to form, hence increasing phytoplankton growth up to 20 km away from the coastlines. A bio-optical-based community index suggests that the composition of the phytoplankton community differs leeward of Tahiti from that in the open ocean area, with more microphytoplankton within the IME, which is associated with an increase in the carbon export to the deeper ocean.

The export and fate of organic carbon in the mesopelagic zone are still poorly understood and quantified due to lack of observations. We exploited data from a biogeochemical-Argo float that was deployed in the Red Sea to study how a warm and hypoxic environment can affect the fate of the organic carbon in the ocean's interior. We observed that only 10% of the particulate organic carbon (POC) exported survived at depth due to remineralization processes in the upper mesopelagic zone. We also found that POC exported was rapidly degraded in a first stage and slowly in a second one, which may be dependent on the palatability of the organic matter. We observed that apparent oxygen utilization (AOU)-based loss rates (a proxy of the remineralization of total organic matter) were significantly higher than the POC-based loss rates, likely because changes in AOU are mainly attributed to changes in dissolved organic carbon. Finally, we showed that POC-and AOU-based loss rates could be expressed as a function of temperature and oxygen concentration. These findings advance our understanding of the biological carbon pump and mesopelagic ecosystem.

The necessity of wide, global-scale observing systems for marine biogeochemistry emerged dramatically in the last decade. A global network based on Biogeochemical (BGC) Argo floats is considered to be one of the most promising approaches for reaching this goal. As a first step, pilot studies were encouraged to test the feasibility of a global BGC-Argo array, to consolidate the methods and practices under development, and to set up the array's characteristics. A pilot study in The Mediterranean Sea-deemed a suitable candidate for a test case because it combines a relatively large diversity of oceanic BGC conditions in a reduced open-ocean basin-was consequently approved as a part of the "Novel Argo ocean Observing System" (NAOS) project, a French national initiative to promote, consolidate, and develop the Argo network. We present here a first assessment of the NAOS Mediterranean array, in view of scientific choices on observing-system strategy, on implementation and statistics on network performances, and on data-quality control.

As commonly observed in oligotrophic stratified waters, a subsurface (or deep) chlorophyll maximum (SCM) frequently characterizes the vertical distribution of phyto-plankton chlorophyll in the Mediterranean Sea. Occurring far from the surface layer "seen" by ocean colour satellites , SCMs are difficult to observe with adequate spatio-temporal resolution and their biogeochemical impact remains unknown. Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) profiling floats represent appropriate tools for studying the dynamics of SCMs. Based on data collected from 36 BGC-Argo floats deployed in the Mediterranean Sea, our study aims to address two main questions. (1) What are the different types of SCMs in the Mediterranean Sea? (2) Which environmental factors control their occurrence and dynamics? First, we analysed the seasonal and regional variations in the chlorophyll concentration (Chl a), particulate backscattering coefficient (b bp), a proxy of the particulate organic carbon (POC) and environmental parameters (photosynthetically active radiation and nitrates) within the SCM layer over the Mediter-ranean Basin. The vertical profiles of Chl a and b bp were then statistically classified and the seasonal occurrence of each of the different types of SCMs quantified. Finally, a case study was performed on two contrasted regions and the environmental conditions at depth were further investigated to understand the main controls on the SCMs. In the eastern basin, SCMs result, at a first order, from a photoacclima-tion process. Conversely, SCMs in the western basin reflect a biomass increase at depth benefiting from both light and nitrate resources. Our results also suggest that a variety of intermediate types of SCMs are encountered between these two endmember situations.

Understanding spatial and temporal dynamics of non-algal particles (NAP) 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 (Chl). To this aim, we estimate the fraction of b bp associated with the NAP portion () that does not covary with Chl by using a global Biogeochemical-Argo dataset. We quantify the spatial, temporal and vertical variability of. In the northern productive areas, is a small fraction of b bp and shows a clear seasonal cycle. In the Southern Ocean, b k bp is a major fraction of total b bp. In oligotrophic areas, has a smooth annual cycle.

We report on data from an oceanographic cruise, covering western, central and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, on the French research vessel Tethys 2 in May 2015. This cruise was fully dedicated to the maintenance and the metrological verification of a biogeochemical observing system based on a fleet of BGC-Argo floats. During the cruise, a comprehensive data set of parameters sensed by the autonomous network was collected. The measurements include ocean currents, seawater salinity and temperature, and concentrations of inorganic nutrients, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll pigments. The analytical protocols and data processing methods are detailed, together with a first assessment of the calibration state for all the sensors deployed during the cruise.

Characterizing phytoplankton distribution and dynamics in the world's open oceans requires in situ observations over a broad range of space and time scales. In addition to temperature/salinity measurements , Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) profiling floats are capable of autonomously observing at high-frequency bio-optical properties such as the chlorophyll fluorescence, a proxy of the chlorophyll a concentration (Chla), the particulate backscattering coefficient (b bp), a proxy of the stock of particulate organic carbon , and the light available for photosynthesis. We analyzed an unprecedented BGC-Argo database of more than 8,500 multivariable profiles collected in various oceanic conditions, from subpolar waters to subtropical gyres. Our objective is to refine previously established Chla versus b bp relationships and gain insights into the sources of vertical, seasonal, and regional variability in this relationship. Despite some regional, seasonal and vertical variations, a general covariation occurs at a global scale. We distinguish two main contrasted situations: (1) concomitant changes in Chla and b bp that correspond to actual variations in phytoplankton biomass, e.g., in subpolar regimes; (2) a decoupling between the two variables attributed to photoacclima-tion or changes in the relative abundance of nonalgal particles, e.g., in subtropical regimes. The variability in the b bp :Chla ratio in the surface layer appears to be essentially influenced by the type of particles and by photoacclimation processes. The large BGC-Argo database helps identifying the spatial and temporal scales at which this ratio is predominantly driven by one or the other of these two factors.

Chlorophyll fluorometers provide the largest in situ global data set for estimating phytoplankton biomass because of their ease of use, size, power consumption, and relatively low price. While in situ chlorophyll a (Chl) fluorescence is proxy for Chl a concentration, and hence phytoplankton biomass, there exist large natural variations in the relationship between in situ fluorescence and extracted Chl a concentration. Despite this large natural variability, we present here a global validation data set for the WET Labs Environmental Characterization Optics (ECO) series chlorophyll fluorometers that suggests a factor of 2 overestimation in the factory calibrated Chl a estimates for this specific manufacturer and series of sensors. We base these results on paired High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and in situ fluorescence match ups for which non-photochemically quenched fluorescence observations were removed. Additionally, we examined match-ups between the factory-calibrated in situ fluorescence and estimates of chlorophyll concentration determined from in situ radiometry, absorption line height, NASA's standard ocean color algorithm as well as laboratory calibrations with phytoplankton monocultures spanning diverse species that support the factor of 2 bias. We therefore recommend the factor of 2 global bias correction be applied for the WET Labs ECO sensors , at the user level, to improve the global accuracy of chlorophyll concentration estimates and products derived from them. We recommend that other fluorometer makes and models should likewise undergo global analyses to identify potential bias in factory calibration.

The Southern Ocean (SO) hosts plankton communities that impact the biogeochemical cycles of the global ocean. However, weather conditions in the SO restrict mainly in situ observations of plankton communities to spring and summer, preventing the description of biological successions at an annual scale. Here, we use shipboard observations collected in the Indian sector of the SO to develop a multivariate relationship between physical and bio-optical data, and, the composition and carbon content of the plankton community. Then we apply this multivariate relationship to five biogeochemical Argo (BGC-Argo) floats deployed within the same bio-geographical zone as the ship-board observations to describe spatial and seasonal changes in plankton assemblage. The floats reveal a high contribution of bacteria below the mixed layer, an overall low abundance of picoplankton and a seasonal succession from nano-to microplankton during the spring bloom. Both naturally iron-fertilized waters downstream of the Crozet and Kerguelen Plateaus show elevated phytoplankton biomass in spring and summer but they differ by a nano-or microplankton dominance at Crozet and Kerguelen, respectively. The estimated plankton group successions appear consistent with independent estimations of particle diameter based on the optical signals. Furthermore, the comparison of the plankton community composition in the surface layer with the presence of large mesopelagic particles diagnosed by spikes of optical signals provides insight into the nature and temporal changes of ecological vectors that drive particle export. This study emphasizes the power of BGC-Argo floats for investigating important biogeochemical processes at high temporal and spatial resolution.

Since 2012, an array of 105 Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) floats has been deployed across the world's oceans to assist in filling observational gaps that are required for characterizing open-ocean environments. Profiles of biogeochemical (chlorophyll and dissolved organic matter) and optical (single-wavelength particulate optical backscattering, downward irradiance at three wavelengths, and photosynthetically available radiation) variables are collected in the upper 1000m every 1 to 10 days. The database of 9837 vertical profiles collected up to January 2016 is presented and its spatial and temporal coverage is discussed. Each variable is quality controlled with specifically developed procedures and its time series is quality-assessed to identify issues related to biofouling and/or instrument drift. A second database of 5748 profile-derived products within the first optical depth (i.e., the layer of interest for satellite remote sensing) is also presented and its spatiotemporal distribution discussed. This database, devoted to field and remote ocean color applications, includes diffuse attenuation coefficients for downward irradiance at three narrow wavebands and one broad waveband (photosynthetically available radiation), calibrated chlorophyll and fluorescent dissolved organic matter concentrations, and single-wavelength particulate optical backscattering. To demonstrate the applicability of these databases, data within the first optical depth are compared with previously established bio-optical models and used to validate remotely derived bio-optical products. The quality-controlled databases are publicly available from the SEANOE (SEA scieNtific Open data Edition) publisher at https://doi.org/10.17882/49388 and https://doi.org/10.17882/47142 for vertical profiles and products within the first optical depth, respectively.

We explore a novel and spatially extensive data set obtained from Biogeochemical-Argo (or BGC-Argo) floats, containing 16,796 profiles of the particulate backscattering coefficient at 700 nm (b bp (700)) measured with three different sensors. We focus at the 900-950m depth interval (within the mesopelagic), where we found values to be relatively constant. While we find significant differences between estimates of b bp (700) obtained with different sensors (≈30% disagreement), the median values in most oceanic regions obtained with a single type of sensor are within 50% of each other and are consistent with measurements of suspended mass conducted in the early 1970s. Deviations from the quasi-constant background value likely indicate times and locations associated with higher particulate export to depth. Indeed, we observe that in productive high-latitude regions, a deep seasonal signal is observed, with enhanced values recorded a few months after surface spring/summer maximal concentrations. In addition, the deep b bp (700) is highest in regions exhibiting suboxic-anoxic conditions (e.g., Northern Indian Ocean), which have been associated with local particulate production as well as reduced particle flux attenuation.

In mid- and high-latitude oceans, winter surface cooling and strong winds drive turbulent mixing that carries phytoplankton to depths of several hundred metres, well below the sunlit layer. This downward mixing, in combination with low solar radiation, drastically limits phytoplankton growth during the winter, especially that of the diatoms and other species that are involved in seeding the spring bloom. Here we present observational evidence for widespread winter phytoplankton blooms in a large part of the North Atlantic subpolar gyre from autonomous profiling floats equipped with biogeochemical sensors. These blooms were triggered by intermittent restratification of the mixed layer when mixed-layer eddies led to a horizontal transport of lighter water over denser layers. Combining a bio-optical index with complementary chemotaxonomic and modelling approaches, we show that these restratification events increase phytoplankton residence time in the sunlight zone, resulting in greater light interception and the emergence of winter blooms. Restratification also caused a phytoplankton community shift from pico- and nanophytoplankton to phototrophic diatoms. We conclude that transient winter blooms can maintain active diatom populations throughout the winter months, directly seeding the spring bloom and potentially making a significant contribution to over-winter carbon export.

An array of Bio-Argo floats equipped with radiometric sensors has been recently deployed in various open ocean areas representative of the diversity of trophic and bio-optical conditions prevailing in the so-called case 1 waters. Around solar noon and almost every day, each float acquires 0-250-m vertical profiles of photosynthetically available radiation and downward irradiance at three wavelengths (380, 412, and 490 nm). Up until now, more than 6500 profiles for each radiometric channel have been acquired. As these radiometric data are collected out of an operator's control and regardless of meteorological conditions, specific and automatic data processing protocols have to be developed. This paper presents a data quality-control procedure aimed at verifying profile shapes and providing near-real-time data distribution. This procedure is specifically developed to 1) identify main issues of measurements (i.e., dark signal, atmospheric clouds, spikes, and wavefocusing occurrences) and 2) validate the final data with a hierarchy of tests to ensure a scientific utilization. The procedure, adapted to each of the four radiometric channels, is designed to flag each profile in a way compliant with the data management procedure used by the Argo program. Main perturbations in the light field are identified by the new protocols with good performances over the whole dataset. This highlights its potential applicability at the global scale. Finally, the comparison with modeled surface irradiances allows for assessing the accuracy of quality-controlled measured irradiance values and identifying any possible evolution over the float lifetime due to biofouling and instrumental drift.

The present study proposes a novel method that merges satellite ocean color bio-optical products with Argo temperature-salinity profiles to infer the vertical distribution of the particulate backscattering coefficient (bbp). This neural network-based method (SOCA-BBP for Satellite Ocean-Color merged with Argo data to infer the vertical distribution of the Particulate Backscattering coefficient) uses three main input components: (1) satellite-based surface estimates of bbp and chlorophyll a concentration matched up in space and time with (2) depth-resolved physical properties derived from temperature-salinity profiles measured by Argo profiling floats and (3) the day of the year of the considered satellite-Argo matchup. The neural network is trained and validated using a database including 4725 simultaneous profiles of temperature-salinity and bio-optical properties collected by Bio-Argo floats, with concomitant satellite-derived products. The Bio-Argo profiles are representative of the global open-ocean in terms of oceanographic conditions, making the proposed method applicable to most open-ocean environments. SOCA-BBP is validated using 20% of the entire database (global error of 21%). We present additional validation results based on two other independent data sets acquired (1) by four Bio-Argo floats deployed in major oceanic basins, not represented in the database used to train the method; and (2) during an AMT (Atlantic Meridional Transect) field cruise in 2009. These validation tests based on two fully independent data sets indicate the robustness of the predicted vertical distribution of bbp. To illustrate the potential of the method, we merged monthly climatological Argo profiles with ocean color products to produce a depth-resolved climatology of bbp for the global ocean.

In 2013, as part of the French NAOS (Novel Argo Oceanic observing System) program, five profiling floats equipped with nitrate sensors (SUNA-V2) together with CTD and bio-optical sensors were deployed in the Mediterranean Sea. At present day, more than 500 profiles of physical and biological parameters were acquired, and significantly increased the number of available nitrate data in the Mediterra-nean Sea. Results obtained from floats confirm the general view of the basin, and the well-known west-to-east gradient of oligotrophy. At seasonal scale, the north western Mediterranean displays a clear temperate pattern sustained by both deep winter mixed layer and shallow nitracline. The other sampled areas follow a subtropical regime (nitracline depth and mixed layer depth are generally decoupled). Float data also permit to highlight the major contribution of high-frequency processes in controlling the nitrate supply during winter in the north western Mediterranean Sea and in altering the nitrate stock in subsurface in the eastern basin.

Thanks to the new genera.on of profiling floats and in par.cular to iridium telemetry, the acquisi.on frequency can be drama.cally increased. We inves.gate here the possibility to extract informa.on related to sea-state from the analysis of high-resolu.on measurements of the pressure data. We par.cularly focus on the study of the speed anomaly as compared to a nominal speed expected for a calm sea-state. By comparison between speed anomaly of a float in the Med Sea and concurrent seastate measurements by a weather buoy in the same area, we suggest that float behaviour can be an indicator of sea-state. In the context of remOcean and NOAS projects, we set up a high frequency mode (every 2 s) for the sub-surface layer and for more than fourty floats deployed in various open ocean areas, we present a preliminary analysis of the speed anomaly. observa.on of float behavior : Characteris.cs of the NKE CTS4 float in the upper layer:-when the float passes 10 dbars, it does not ac.vate its pump for a dura.on of 600 sec-ader 600 sec, the float starts to pump 360 sec to emerge-under standard (calm) weather condi.ons, it takes 90-100 sec for the float to rise the surface from 10m.-data acquisi.on from 1m to 0 m: mean value-data acquisi.on from 10 to 1m : raw data @ 2 sec (0.5Hz)-data acquisi.on from 350 to 10m : raw data @ 10 sec (0.1Hz) CTS4, NKE 600 s 4.5 m 80 s 0 m Standard behavior sta.s.c & climagraphs Non Standard behavior MOORED AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATIONS valida.on with weather mooring Time-serie of behavior indicators of two floats compared to meteorological buoy data in the NorthWestern Mediterranean Sea. Even if the distance of the floats to the mooring are greater than 100 km, the comparison of both time series confirms that float behavior indicators can be used with a certain confidence to track sea-state. These indicators can thus be extracted from all the CTS4 floats we manage to date. We now envisage to extract similar float behavior indicators from standard Argo profiles and in particular the information related to big event.. big events > 10m re-dive 0.4% what next Characteris.cs of the NKE CTS4 float in Indicators of float behavior in the upper layer In this poster we explore the idea that the float behavior is related to the sea state. Time spend between 10m and 1m (s) proxy of speed anomaly Maximum re−dive between 10m and 1m [m],

Two profiling floats, equipped with nitrate concentration sensors were deployed in the northwestern Mediterranean from summer 2012 to summer 2013. Satellite ocean color data were extracted to evaluate surface chlorophyll concentration at float locations. Time series of mixed layer depths and nitrate and chlorophyll concentrations were analyzed to characterize the interplay between the physical-chemical and biological dynamics in the area. Deep convection (mixed layer depth > 1000 m) was observed in January-February, although high-nitrate surface concentrations could be already observed in December. Chlorophyll increase is observed since December, although high values were observed only in March. The early nitrate availability in subsurface layers, which is likely due to the permanent cyclonic circulation of the area, appears to drive the bloom onset. The additional nitrate supply associated to the deep convection events, although strengthening the overall nitrate uptake, seems decoupled of the December increase of chlorophyll.

Based on in situ data sets collected using two Bio-Argo floats deployed in the subpolar North Atlantic from June 2008 to May 2010, the present study focuses on the seasonal variability of three bio-optical properties, i.e., chlorophyll-a concentration ([Chla]), particle backscattering coefficient at 532 nm (b(bp)(532)), and particle beam attenuation coefficient at 660 nm (c(p)(660)). In addition, the interrelationships among these properties are examined. Our results show that: (1) [Chla], b(bp)(532) and c(p)(660) are largely well coupled with each other in the upper layer, all being minimum in mid-winter (January) and maximum in summer; (2) the backscattering coefficient presents an abrupt increase in late summer in the Icelandic Basin, likely due to a large contribution of coccolithophores following the diatom spring bloom; (3) the intercorrelations between the three bio-optical properties are basically consistent with previous studies; (4) seasonal variation in the of [Chla] to c(p)(660) ratio exhibits a clear light-dependence, most likely due to the phytoplankton photoacclimation.

We deployed four Bio-Argo profiling floats in various oligotrophic locations of the Pacific subtropical gyres and Mediterranean Sea to address the seasonal phytoplankton dynamics in the euphotic layer and explore its dependence on light regime dynamics. Results show that there is a similar phytoplankton biomass seasonal pattern in the four observed oceanic regions. In the lower part of the euphotic layer, the seasonal displacement of the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) is light driven. During winter, the chlorophyll a concentration ([Chl a]) always increases in the upper euphotic mixed layer. This increase always results from a photoacclimation to the reduced irradiance. Depending on the location, however, the concentration can also be associated with an actual increase in biomass. The winter increase in [Chl a] results in an increase in irradiance attenuation that impacts the position of the isolume (level where the daily integrated photon flux is constant) and DCM, which becomes shallower. In summer when the [Chl a] in the upper layer decreases along with light attenuation, the DCM deepens and becomes closer to (and sometimes reaches) the nitracline, which enhances the phytoplankton biomass at the DCM. The bio-optical mechanisms and their relationship to light regimes that are revealed by the time series appear to be generic and potentially characteristic of all of the areas where a DCM forms, which is 50% of the open ocean.

Understanding the ocean carbon cycle requires a precise assessment of phytoplankton biomass in the oceans. In terms of numbers of observations, satellite data represent the largest available data set. However, as they are limited to surface waters, they have to be merged with in situ observations. Amongst the in situ data, fluorescence profiles constitute the greatest data set available, because fluorometers have operated routinely on oceanographic cruises since the 1970s. Nevertheless, fluorescence is only a proxy of the total chlorophyll a concentration and a data calibration is required. Calibration issues are, however, sources of uncertainty, and they have prevented a systematic and wide range exploitation of the fluorescence data set. In particular, very few attempts to standardize the fluorescence databases have been made. Consequently , merged estimations with other data sources (e.g. satellite) are lacking. We propose a merging method to fill this gap. It consists firstly in adjusting the fluorescence profile to impose a zero chlorophyll a concentration at depth. Secondly, each point of the fluorescence profile is then multiplied by a correction coefficient, which forces the chlorophyll a integrated content measured on the fluorescence profile to be consistent with the concomitant ocean colour observation. The method is close to the approach proposed by Boss et al. (2008) to correct fluorescence data of a profiling float, although important differences do exist. To develop and test our approach , in situ data from three open ocean stations (BATS, HOT and DYFAMED) were used. Comparison of the so-called "satellite-corrected" fluorescence profiles with con-comitant bottle-derived estimations of chlorophyll a concentration was performed to evaluate the final error (estimated at 31 %). Comparison with the Boss et al. (2008) method, using a subset of the DYFAMED data set, demonstrated that the methods have similar accuracy. The method was applied to two different data sets to demonstrate its utility. Using fluo-rescence profiles at BATS, we show that the integration of "satellite-corrected" fluorescence profiles in chlorophyll a climatologies could improve both the statistical relevance of chlorophyll a averages and the vertical structure of the chlorophyll a field. We also show that our method could be efficiently used to process, within near-real time, profiles obtained by a fluorometer deployed on autonomous platforms, in our case a bio-optical profiling float. The application of the proposed method should provide a first step towards the generation of a merged satellite/fluorescence chlorophyll a product, as the "satellite-corrected" profiles should then be consistent with satellite observations. Improved climatolo-gies with more consistent satellite and in situ data are likely to enhance the performance of present biogeochemical models .

Eight autonomous profiling "Bio-Argo" floats were deployed offshore during about 2 years (2008-2010) in Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean zones. They were equipped with miniaturized bio-optical sensors, namely a radiometer measuring within the upper layer the downward irradiance at 412, 490, and 555 nm, and two fluorometers for detection of chlorophyll-a (Chla) and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM; profiles from 400 m to surface). A first study dealt with the interpretation of the Chla fluorescence signal in terms of concentration, using for this purpose the diffuse attenuation coefficient for irradiance at 490 nm, K d (490), taken as a proxy for the Chla absorption. The present study examines the possibility of similarly using the K d (412) values combined with retrieved Chla profiles to convert the CDOM fluorometric qualitative information into a CDOM absorption coefficient (a y). The rationale is to take advantage of the fact that K d is more sensitive to CDOM presence at 412 nm than at 490 nm. A validation of this method is tested through its application to field data, collected from a ship over a wide range of trophic conditions (Biogeochemistry and Optics South Pacific Experiment (BIOSOPE) cruise); these data include both in situ fluorescence profiles and CDOM absorption as measured on discrete samples. In addition, near-surface a y values retrieved from the floats agree with those derivable from ocean color imagery (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS-A)). The low sensitivity of commercially available CDOM fluorometers presently raises difficulties when applying this technique to open ocean waters. It was nevertheless possible to derive from the floats records meaningful time series of CDOM vertical distribution.

Eight autonomous profiling floats equipped with miniaturized radiometers and fluorimeters have collected data in Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean offshore zones. They measured in particular 0-400 m vertical profiles of the downward irradiance at three wavelengths (412, 490, and 555 nm) and of the chlorophyll a fluorescence. Such autonomous sensors collect radiometric data regardless of sky conditions and collect essentially uncalibrated fluorescence data. Usual processing and calibration techniques are no longer usable in such remote conditions and have to be adapted. The proposition here is an interwoven processing by which missing parts of irradiance profiles (due to intermittent cloud occurrence) are interpolated by accounting for possible changes in optical properties (detected by the fluorescence signal) and by which the attenuation coefficient for downward irradiance, used as proxy for [Chl a] (the chlorophyll a concentration), allows the fluorescence signal to be calibrated in absolute units (mg m −3). This method is successfully applied to about 600 irradiance and fluorescence profiles. Validation of the results in terms of [Chl a] is made by matchup with satellite (MODIS-A) chlorophyll (24.3% RMSE, N = 358). Validation of the method is obtained by applying it on similar field data acquired from ships, which, in addition to irradiance and fluorescence profiles, include the [Chl a] HPLC determination, used for final verification.

In vivo fluorescence of Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) is a potentially useful property to study the vertical distribution of phytoplankton biomass. However the technique is presently not fully exploited as it should be, essentially because of the difficulties in converting the fluorescence signal into an accurate Chl-a concentration. These difficulties arise noticeably from natural variations in the Chl-a fluores-cence relationship, which is under the control of community composition as well as of their nutrient and light status. As a consequence, although vertical profiles of fluores-cence are likely the most recorded biological property in the open ocean, the corresponding large databases are underex-ploited. Here with the aim to convert a fluorescence profile into a Chl-a concentration profile, we test the hypothesis that the Chl-a concentration can be gathered from the sole knowledge of the shape of the fluorescence profile. We analyze a large dataset from 18 oceanographic cruises conducted in case-1 waters from the highly stratified hyperoligotrophic waters (surface Chl-a = 0.02 mg m −3) of the South Pacific Gyre to the eutrophic waters of the Benguela upwelling (sur-face Chl-a = 32 mg m −3) and including the very deep mixed waters in the North Atlantic (Mixed Layer Depth = 690 m). This dataset encompasses more than 700 vertical profiles of Chl-a fluorescence as well as accurate estimations of Chl-a by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Two typical fluorescence profiles are identified, the uniform profile , characterized by a homogeneous layer roughly corresponding to the mixed layer, and the non-uniform profile, characterized by the presence of a Deep Chlorophyll Maximum. Using appropriate mathematical parameterizations, a fluorescence profile is subsequently represented by 3 or 5 shape parameters for uniform or non-uniform profiles, respectively. For both situations, an empirical model is de-Correspondence to: A. Mignot () veloped to predict the "true" Chl-a concentration from these shape parameters. This model is then used to calibrate a flu-orescence profile in Chl-a units. The validation of the approach provides satisfactory results with a median absolute percent deviation of 33 % when comparing the HPLC Chl-a profiles to the Chl-a-calibrated fluorescence. The proposed approach thus opens the possibility to produce Chl-a clima-tologies from uncalibrated fluorescence profile databases that have been acquired in the past and to which numerous new profiles will be added, thanks to the recent availability of autonomous platforms (profiling floats, gliders and animals) in-strumented with miniature fluorometers.

The SIMBADA radiometer was designed to check the radiometric calibration of satellite ocean-color sensors and evaluate the atmospheric correction of ocean-color imagery. It measures marine reflectance and aerosol optical thickness in 11 spectral bands covering the spectral range 350 to 870 nm. Aerosol optical thickness is obtained by viewing the sun disk and marine reflectance by viewing the ocean surface through a vertical polarizer that minimizes sun glint and reflected skylight. The measurements made by SIMBADA during ACE-Asia (March-April 2001, Japan Sea) and AOPEX (July-August 2004, Mediterranean Sea) are compared with those made concomitantly by other ocean radiometers and sun photometers, i.e., MER, PRR, SPMR, Trios, TSRB, and BOUSSOLE instruments for marine reflectance and CIMEL and Microtops for aerosol optical thickness. Agreement is generally good between the various measurements or estimates. The SIMBADA aerosol optical thickness is within ±0.02 of the values obtained by other sun photometers. The SIMBADA marine reflectance, after correction for bi-directional effects (Q factor), does not exhibit biases when compared with estimates by other radiometers, which generally agree within ±10%. In some cases larger discrepancies exist, and they are largely explained by differences in solar irradiance. More accurate SIMBADA estimates may be obtained by improving the radiometric calibration, the correction for angular geometry and water body polarization, the calculation of incident solar irradiance, and the selection of data minimally affected by sky reflection.

The subtropical gyres represent 40% of the total ocean. They have been considered, since a long time, as steady state biological desert due to low nutrients and phytoplankton biomass throughout the year. Primary production (carbon uptake by phytoplankton) is low too in these regions, but as these structures are huge, it makes the total contribution to ocean primary production important. The South Pacific gyre is considered to be the place where the phytoplankton biomass is the lowest in the global ocean. This area remains poorly sampled and studied, that's why the seasonal variability of phytoplankton, primary production and physical forcing remains unclear. By using in-situ bio-optical profiling float capable to measure physical parameters (temperature and salinity) and proxy of the phytoplankton biomass in the water column, we acquired one year of data near the eastern islands (in the middle of the South Pacific gyre). We found a seasonal variability of the phytoplankton biomass and the carbon flux. This variability is driven by the vertical structure density of the ocean, from very low phytoplankton biomass and carbon uptake in winter (due to the mixing of the water column) to low phytoplankton biomass and carbon uptake in summer (associated with strong stratification). Studying the interaction between the physical forcing and phytoplankton biomass in the subtropical gyres is essential. Any increase in sea water temperature will change the stratification of the water column and thus affect the annual carbon fluxes budget.

The development of bio-optical algorithms to assess the spatio-temporal variability of Inherent Optical Properties (IOPs) and biogeochemical related components from space, is conditioned by our knowledge on these IOPs. The objective of this study is to characterize the IOPs and their relationships with biogeochemical parameters for the development of a future algorithm dedicated to the observation of the nearshore and offshore waters of the French Guiana from usual ocean color remote sensors. For that purpose, a set of IOPs and biogeochemical parameters was gathered from field measurements performed during a cruise achieved in the coastal waters of Cayenne in July 2006. The mean values of the mass specific non-algal absorption, (anap(443)/SPM = 0.023±0.018 m2g-1), particulate scattering (bp(650)/SPM = 0.36 ± 0.23 m2g-1) and backscattering (bbp(532)/SPM = 0.0065 ± 0.0025 m2g 1) coefficients, as well as the anap(λ) spectral behaviors, are in good agreement with the fact the investigated waters are dominated by mineral particles. The relatively low particulate backscattering to scattering ratio value for such waters (0.014 ± 0.004) could be explained by the presence of relatively large particles or aggregates with lower refractive index than pure mineral particles. This

Knowledge of the relative proportion between small-sized and larger particles in the surface ocean is essential to understand the ocean ecology and biogeochemistry, including particle dynamics and carbon cycling. We show that this information may be assessed qualitatively from satellite observations of ocean color. Such capability is based on the estimation of spectral dependence, g, of particulate backscattering coefficient, b bp , which is sensitive to particle size distribution. Our results obtained from satellite observations of the global ocean are supported by in situ measurements, and they demonstrate a general decrease of the spectral slope g from oligotrophic to eutrophic regimes, although significant regional differences are observed in the relationship between g and the chlorophyll a concentration, Chl. To first approximation, such a decrease in g is expected to be accompanied by an increased role of larger particles. This is consistent with our field data that show relatively high concentrations of submicron particles in very clear oceanic waters. Different seasonal patterns are also observed depending on the oceanic regions. The seasonal amplitude of g is generally higher than that of Chl and b bp in equatorial and tropical regions, and it is much lower at temperate latitudes. These spatio-temporal patterns are interpreted in terms of processes that modify the composition of particulate assemblages and physiology of phytoplankton in response to environmental forcing. The changes in g are clearly related to variations in the mixed layer depth and photosynthetic available radiation.

During spring and summer 2004, intensive field campaigns were conducted in the Eastern English Channel. This region is characterized by relatively intense phytoplankton blooms, low bathymetry, strong tide ranges and great river inputs. The sampling period accounts for episodic blooms of prymnesiophyceae Phaeocystis globosa and diatoms. Hyperspectral radiometric measurements (TRIOS; 350-950 nm, with a 3 nm spectral resolution) were concurrently performed with water sampling for biogeochemical and optical characterization. The remote sensing reflectance, Rrs, is analyzed in conjunction with variation of the water composition. We particularly focus on the capability to identify some phytoplankton species from Rrs in this very variable environment. Different methods, based on multispectral and hyperspectral data are tested and compared for that purpose. We show that no Rrs ratio allows to discriminate between diatoms and Phaeocystis. In contrast, the derivative analysis applied to hyperspectral data stresses large differences in some part of the Rrs spectra collected in diatoms or Phaeocystis dominated waters.