We assembled a dataset of 14C-based productivity measurements to understand the critical variables required for accurate assessment of daily depth-integrated phytoplankton carbon fixation (PP(PPeu)u) from measurements of sea surface pigment concentrations (Csat)(Csat). From this dataset, we developed a light-dependent, depth-resolved model for carbon fixation (VGPM) that partitions environmental factors affecting primary production into those that influence the relative vertical distribution of primary production (Pz)z) and those that control the optimal assimilation efficiency of the productivity profile (P(PBopt). The VGPM accounted for 79% of the observed variability in Pz and 86% of the variability in PPeu by using measured values of PBopt. Our results indicate that the accuracy of productivity algorithms in estimating PPeu is dependent primarily upon the ability to accurately represent variability in Pbopt. We developed a temperature-dependent Pbopt model that was used in conjunction with monthly climatological images of Csat sea surface temperature, and cloud-corrected estimates of surface irradiance to calculate a global annual phytoplankton carbon fixation (PPannu) rate of 43.5 Pg C yr‒1. The geographical distribution of PPannu was distinctly different than results from previous models. Our results illustrate the importance of focusing Pbopt model development on temporal and spatial, rather than the vertical, variability.

'''DEFINITION''' Oligotrophic subtropical gyres are regions of the ocean with low levels of nutrients required for phytoplankton growth and low levels of surface chlorophyll-a whose concentration can be quantified through satellite observations. The gyre boundary has been defined using a threshold value of 0.15 mg m-3 chlorophyll for the Atlantic gyres (Aiken et al. 2016), and 0.07 mg m-3 for the Pacific gyres (Polovina et al. 2008). The area inside the gyres for each month is computed using monthly chlorophyll data from which the monthly climatology is subtracted to compute anomalies. A gap filling algorithm has been utilized to account for missing data inside the gyre. Trends in the area anomaly are then calculated for the entire study period (September 1997 to December 2020). '''CONTEXT''' Oligotrophic gyres of the oceans have been referred to as ocean deserts (Polovina et al. 2008). They are vast, covering approximately 50% of the Earth’s surface (Aiken et al. 2016). Despite low productivity, these regions contribute significantly to global productivity due to their immense size (McClain et al. 2004). Even modest changes in their size can have large impacts on a variety of global biogeochemical cycles and on trends in chlorophyll (Signorini et al 2015). Based on satellite data, Polovina et al. (2008) showed that the areas of subtropical gyres were expanding. The Ocean State Report (Sathyendranath et al. 2018) showed that the trends had reversed in the Pacific for the time segment from January 2007 to December 2016. '''CMEMS KEY FINDINGS''' The trend in the South Altantic gyre area for the 1997 Sept – 2020 December period was positive, with a 0.09% increase in area relative to 2000-01-01 values. Note that this trend is lower than the 0.13% rate for the 1997-2019 trend (though within the uncertainties associated with the two estimates) and is statistically significant (p<0.05). During the 1997 Sept – 2020 December period, the trend in chlorophyll concentration was positive (0.35% year-1) relative to 2000-01-01 values. This is a significant increase from the trend of 0.02% year-1 for the 1997-2019 period. '''DOI (product):''' https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00228

'''Short description: ''' For the '''Global''' Ocean '''Satellite Observations''', ACRI-ST company (Sophia Antipolis, France) is providing '''Chlorophyll-a''' and '''Optics''' products [1997 - present] based on the '''Copernicus-GlobColour''' processor. * '''Chlorophyll and Bio''' products refer to Chlorophyll-a, Primary Production (PP) and Phytoplankton Functional types (PFT). Products are based on a multi sensors/algorithms approach to provide to end-users the best estimate. Two dailies Chlorophyll-a products are distributed: ** one limited to the daily observations (called L3), ** the other based on a space-time interpolation: the '''"Cloud Free"''' (called L4). * '''Optics''' products refer to Reflectance (RRS), Suspended Matter (SPM), Particulate Backscattering (BBP), Secchi Transparency Depth (ZSD), Diffuse Attenuation (KD490) and Absorption Coef. (ADG/CDM). * The spatial resolution is 4 km. For Chlorophyll, a 1 km over the Atlantic (46°W-13°E , 20°N-66°N) is also available for the '''Cloud Free''' product, plus a 300m Global coastal product (OLCI S3A & S3B merged). *Products (Daily, Monthly and Climatology) are based on the merging of the sensors SeaWiFS, MODIS, MERIS, VIIRS-SNPP&JPSS1, OLCI-S3A&S3B. Additional products using only OLCI upstreams are also delivered. * Recent products are organized in datasets called NRT (Near Real Time) and long time-series in datasets called REP/MY (Multi-Years). The NRT products are provided one day after satellite acquisition and updated a few days after in Delayed Time (DT) to provide a better quality. An uncertainty is given at pixel level for all products. To find the '''Copernicus-GlobColour''' products in the catalogue, use the search keyword '''"GlobColour"'''. See [http://catalogue.marine.copernicus.eu/documents/QUID/CMEMS-OC-QUID-009-030-032-033-037-081-082-083-085-086-098.pdf QUID document] for a detailed description and assessment. '''DOI (product) :''' https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00100