The detailed transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) distribution, sinking behavior and the potential mechanisms behind that were revealed in the upper 200 m water column of the eastern Indian Ocean (EIO). The biological process and nutrient limitation have proved to be non‐negligible, both of which possessed potential functions in controlling the TEP pool. TEP production and fate presented significant subregional variations in the study area. The vertical distributions of TEP displayed coherent declined patterns with depth between the marginal sea and pelagic ecosystems, but the concentration of TEP horizontally decreased from marginal sea to open ocean. Dissimilarly, variable distribution patterns and magnitudes were distinguished between stratified and active current zones with the conclusion that the stratified condition was in favor of downward remove of TEP pool but turbulence facilitated the accumulation of TEP especially in the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) layer. Distinct sinking regimes of TEP in the stratified zone were distinguishable between layers, with the regulatory mechanisms in the upper, DCM and lower layer of water column being physical diffusion of denser seawater and solutes, aggregation by biotic and abiotic processes and buoyancy effect by entrained lighter fluid, respectively. By comparing the theoretical and measured sinking rates of TEP‐formed aggregates and considering the complicated and uncontrollable situations in non‐culture scenarios, the coupling effects of physical and biological variables on TEP dynamics were elucidated, thus providing a compelling theory for predicting the downward fate of carbon flux in the field environments.

中文翻译：

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东印度洋潜在与生物物理过程相关的透明外聚合物颗粒（TEP）的分布和沉降状况

详细的透明外聚合物颗粒（TEP）分布，下沉行为及其背后的潜在机制在印度洋东部（EIO）的上方200 m水柱中得以揭示。生物学过程和养分限制已被证明是不可忽略的，它们都具有控制TEP库的潜在功能。TEP的产生和命运在研究区域内表现出明显的次区域差异。在边缘海和远洋生态系统之间，TEP的垂直分布表现出连贯的下降趋势，但深度却从边缘海到远洋逐渐降低。与此不同，区分分层和活动电流区之间的变量分布模式和幅度，得出的结论是分层条件有利于TEP池的向下移除，但湍流有利于TEP的积累，特别是在深叶绿素最大值（DCM）层中。TEP在分层区的下沉方式在层之间是可区分的，水柱上层，DCM和下层的调节机制是较浓的海水和溶质的物理扩散，生物和非生物过程的聚集以及夹带的较轻的浮力作用。流体分别。通过比较TEP形成的骨料的理论下沉率和实测下沉率，并考虑非养殖场景中复杂且不可控制的情况，