Response of the deep chlorophyll maximum to fluctuations in vertical mixing intensity

► We analyze the impact of short term perturbations in vertical mixing intensity on deep chlorophyll maxima (DCM). ► A single burst of turbulence produces a temporary increase of phytoplankton growth just above the DCM. ► We perform simulations with vertical diffusivities measured year round by the POMME experiment in the North East Atlantic. ► Fluctuations in vertical mixing can temporally augment the primary productivity of DCMs.