Analysis on the relations between Sea surface temperature and phytoplankton Chlorophyll-a in the South China Sea

LIN Li-ru; ZHAO Hui

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Journal of Marine Sciences ›› 2012, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (3) : 41-48.

Analysis on the relations between Sea surface temperature and phytoplankton Chlorophyll-a in the South China Sea

LIN Li-ru¹, ZHAO Hui²

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Abstract

Based on the Sea WiFS derived chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) mass concentration and TRMM sea-surface temperature data from September 1997 to February 2007 from the South China Sea (SCS), seasonal variations of Chl-a and its relationship with sea surface temperature (SST) were studied. The results show that the Chl-a mass concentration of the SCS has remarkable seasonal variability. Generally the lowest phytoplankton biomass (<0. 12 mg·m^-3) occurs in spring or summer with low wind speed and high SST (>28 °C), while the highest Chl-a (>0. 16 mg·m^-3) occurs in winter with the strongest monsoon wind and low SST (<27 °C). The linear regression analysis shows that Chl-a mass concentration has obvious negative correlations with SST. Though the correlations level is different for the 4 typical sub regions of the south, central, and west SCS and the northwest of the Luzon Strait, the consistent negative correlations imply that the Chl-a mass concentration and phytoplankton biomass are controlled by vertical stratification reflected by the temperature variation. The SST is a key factor influencing the upper ocean stability and the strength of vertical exchanges, and thus controlling the variations of nutrients and phytoplankton.

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South China Sea / Chlorophyll-a / sea surface temperature / seasonal variation

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LIN Li-ru, ZHAO Hui. Analysis on the relations between Sea surface temperature and phytoplankton Chlorophyll-a in the South China Sea[J]. Journal of Marine Sciences. 2012, 30(3): 41-48

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