North Atlantic chlorophyll blooming enhances terrestrial primary productivity over Europe

Abstract The global carbon cycle is strongly influenced by terrestrial productivity and ocean plankton concentration in the upper ocean1-4, with some carbon being transported from land to the ocean by chemical processes 5-9 and possibly returned to the atmosphere. High-latitude Ocean plankton may contribute to rapid surface warming, which could remotely affect terrestrial ecosystems by modifying adjacent continental climate conditions. However, this possible impact of ocean chlorophyll concentration on terrestrial activities and carbon sinks remains unclear. Here, we found that high-latitude North Atlantic chlorophyll blooming could have a positive impact on terrestrial productivity and agriculture over Europe, potentially contributing to increased carbon sinks. A stable supply of nutrients in high latitudes allows for chlorophyll blooming, which traps more incoming shortwave radiation and contributes to surface warming. This, in turn, leads to increased precipitation over Europe through atmospheric teleconnection, accelerating terrestrial productivity (15-20% of the gross primary productivity), crop yields, and carbon sink during the growing season. Model results suggest that chlorophyll concentrations over the North Atlantic ocean significantly impact terrestrial activities in Europe, and an increase in future chlorophyll blooming events could enhance the terrestrial ecosystem as a carbon sink, contributing to negative carbon-climate feedback. Our results highlight the positive interaction between the marine and terrestrial ecosystems and the importance of considering these interactions in future assessments.