Export of sinking particles from the surface ocean is critical for carbon sequestration and to provide energy to the deep biosphere. The magnitude and spatial patterns of this export have been estimated in the past by \emph{in situ} particle flux observations, satellite-based algorithms, and ocean biogeochemical models; however, these estimates remain uncertain. Here, we use a recent machine learning reconstruction of global ocean particle size distributions from Underwater Vision Profiler 5 (UVP5) measurements to estimate carbon fluxes by sinking particles (35 $\mu$m - 5 mm equivalent spherical diameter) from the surface ocean. We combine global maps of particle size distribution properties with empirical relationships constrained against \emph{in situ} flux observations to calculate particulate carbon export from the euphotic zone and wintertime mixed layer depths. The new flux reconstructions suggest a less variable seasonal cycle in the tropical ocean, and a more persistent export in the Southern Ocean than previously recognized. Smaller particles (less than 420 $\mu$m) contribute most of the flux globally, while larger particles become more important at high latitudes and in tropical upwelling regions. Export from the wintertime mixed layer globally exceeds that from the euphotic zone, suggesting shallow particle recycling and net heterotrophy in the deep euphotic zone. These estimates open the way to fully three-dimensional global reconstructions of particle fluxes in the ocean, supported by the growing database of \emph{in situ} optical observations.

Models and observations suggest that particle flux attenuation is lower across the mesopelagic zone of anoxic environments compared to oxic environments. Flux attenuation is controlled by microbial metabolism as well as aggregation and disaggregation by zooplankton, all of which also shape the relative abundance of differently sized particles. Observing and modeling particle spectra can provide information about the contributions of these processes. We measured particle size spectrum profiles at one station in the oligotrophic Eastern Tropical North Pacific Oxygen Deficient Zone (ETNP ODZ) using an underwater vision profiler (UVP), a high-resolution camera that counts and sizes particles. Measurements were taken at different times of day, over the course of a week. Comparing these data to particle flux measurements from sediment traps collected over the same time-period allowed us to constrain the particle size to flux relationship, and to generate highly resolved depth and time estimates of particle flux rates. We found that particle flux attenuated very little throughout the anoxic water column, and at some time-points appeared to increase. Comparing our observations to model predictions suggested that particles of all sizes remineralize more slowly in the ODZ than in oxic waters, and that large particles disaggregate into smaller particles, primarily between the base of the photic zone and 500 m. Acoustic measurements of multiple size classes of organisms suggested that many organisms migrated, during the day, to the region with high particle disaggregation. Our data suggest that diel-migrating organisms both actively transport biomass and disaggregate particles in the ODZ core.

Export of sinking particles from the surface ocean is critical for carbon sequestration and for providing energy to the deep-ocean biosphere. The magnitude and spatial patterns of this flux have been estimated in the past by in situ flux observations, satellite-based algorithms, and ocean biogeochemical models; however, these estimates remain uncertain. Here, we use a novel machine learning reconstruction of global in situ ocean particle size spectra from Underwater Vision Profiler 5 (UVP5) measurements, to determine particulate carbon fluxes. We combine global maps of particle size distribution parameters for large sinking particles with observationally-constrained empirical relationships to calculate the sinking carbon flux from the euphotic zone and the wintertime mixed layer depth. Our flux reconstructions are comparable to prior estimates, but suggest a less variable seasonal cycle in the tropical ocean, and a more persistent export in the Southern Ocean than previously thought. Because our estimates are not bounded by a specific depth horizon, we reconstruct export at multiple depths, and find that export from the wintertime mixed layer globally exceeds that from the euphotic zone. Our estimates provide a baseline for more accurate understanding of particle cycles in the ocean, and open the way to fully three-dimensional global reconstructions of particle size spectra and fluxes in the ocean, supported by the growing database of optical observations.

The abundance and size distribution of marine organic particles are two major factors controlling biological carbon sequestration in the ocean. These quantities are the result of complex physical-biological interactions that are difficult to observe, and their spatial and temporal patterns remain uncertain. Here, we present a novel analysis of particle size distributions (PSD) from a global compilation of in situ Underwater Vision Profiler 5 (UVP5) optical measurements. Using a machine learning algorithm, we extrapolate sparse UVP5 observations to the global ocean from well-sampled oceanographic variables. We reconstruct global maps of PSD parameters (biovolume and slope) for particles at the base of the euphotic zone. These reconstructions reveal consistent global patterns, with high chlorophyll regions generally characterized by high particle biovolume and flatter PSD slope, i.e., a high relative abundance of large vs. small particles. The resulting negative correlations between particle biovolume and slope further suggests amplified effects on sinking particle fluxes. Our approach and estimates provide a baseline for an improved understanding of particle cycles in the ocean, and pave the way to global, three-dimensional reconstructions of sinking particle fluxes from UVP5 observations.

Export of sinking particles from the surface ocean is critical for carbon sequestration and for providing energy to the deep-ocean biosphere. The magnitude and spatial patterns of this flux have been estimated in the past by satellite-based algorithms and ocean biogeochemical models; however, these estimates remain uncertain. Here, we present a novel analysis of a global compilation of \textit{in situ} ocean particle size spectra from Underwater Vision Profiler 5 (UVP5) measurements, from which we determine particulate carbon fluxes. Using a machine learning algorithm, we extrapolate sparse observations of particle abundance by size to the global ocean from oceanographic variables that are more commonly observed. We reconstruct global maps of particle size distribution parameters for large sinking particles (80 \textmu{}m to 2.6 cm), and combine them with empirical relationships to calculate the sinking carbon flux from the euphotic zone and the wintertime mixed layer depth. Our flux reconstructions are comparable to other estimates, but suggest a less variable seasonal cycle in the tropical ocean, and a more continuous export in the Southern Ocean than previously thought. Because our estimates are not bounded by a specific depth horizon, we reconstruct export at multiple depths, and find that export from the wintertime mixed layer globally exceeds that from the euphotic zone. Our estimates provide a baseline for more accurate understanding of particle cycles in the ocean, and open the way to fully three-dimensional global reconstructions of particle size spectra and fluxes in the ocean, supported by the growing database of UVP5 observations.