The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Effect of meteorological conditions on interannual variability in timing and magnitude of the spring bloom in the Irminger Basin, North Atlantic

Effect of meteorological conditions on interannual variability in timing and magnitude of the spring bloom in the Irminger Basin, North Atlantic
Effect of meteorological conditions on interannual variability in timing and magnitude of the spring bloom in the Irminger Basin, North Atlantic
Interannual variability in the spring bloom in the Irminger Basin, northern North Atlantic, is investigated using SeaWiFS-derived chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration and satellite or model-derived meteorological data. Variability in the timing and magnitude of the spring bloom in the basin is evaluated. A method for estimating a time series of Sverdrup's critical depth from satellite-derived data is introduced. Comparison with modelled mixed layer depth and chlorophyll concentration demonstrates that Sverdrup's critical depth model is valid for the Irminger Basin spring bloom. The dependence of the timing and magnitude of the spring bloom on winter pre-conditioning is investigated. We find that in the Irminger Basin the start of the spring bloom can be estimated from the preceding winter's mean wind speed and net heat flux. We also find that the maximum chl-a concentration during the bloom can be estimated from the frequency of winter storms. Increased storm activity results in a reduced bloom chlorophyll maximum by delaying the development of spring stratification, resulting in the bloom missing the ‘window of opportunity’ for optimum phytoplankton growth.
Irminger Basin, satellite data, spring bloom, critical depth, storms
0967-0637
1601-1615
Henson, Stephanie A.
d6532e17-a65b-4d7b-9ee3-755ecb565c19
Robinson, Ian
548399f7-f9eb-41ea-a28d-a248d3011edc
Allen, John T.
b251a62b-f443-4591-b695-9aa8c4d73741
Waniek, Joanna J.
d9deb01a-e270-4048-aa13-4f06c63f8bf8
Henson, Stephanie A.
d6532e17-a65b-4d7b-9ee3-755ecb565c19
Robinson, Ian
548399f7-f9eb-41ea-a28d-a248d3011edc
Allen, John T.
b251a62b-f443-4591-b695-9aa8c4d73741
Waniek, Joanna J.
d9deb01a-e270-4048-aa13-4f06c63f8bf8

Henson, Stephanie A., Robinson, Ian, Allen, John T. and Waniek, Joanna J. (2006) Effect of meteorological conditions on interannual variability in timing and magnitude of the spring bloom in the Irminger Basin, North Atlantic. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 53 (10), 1601-1615. (doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2006.07.009).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Interannual variability in the spring bloom in the Irminger Basin, northern North Atlantic, is investigated using SeaWiFS-derived chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration and satellite or model-derived meteorological data. Variability in the timing and magnitude of the spring bloom in the basin is evaluated. A method for estimating a time series of Sverdrup's critical depth from satellite-derived data is introduced. Comparison with modelled mixed layer depth and chlorophyll concentration demonstrates that Sverdrup's critical depth model is valid for the Irminger Basin spring bloom. The dependence of the timing and magnitude of the spring bloom on winter pre-conditioning is investigated. We find that in the Irminger Basin the start of the spring bloom can be estimated from the preceding winter's mean wind speed and net heat flux. We also find that the maximum chl-a concentration during the bloom can be estimated from the frequency of winter storms. Increased storm activity results in a reduced bloom chlorophyll maximum by delaying the development of spring stratification, resulting in the bloom missing the ‘window of opportunity’ for optimum phytoplankton growth.

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Published date: 2006
Keywords: Irminger Basin, satellite data, spring bloom, critical depth, storms

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 44235
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/44235
ISSN: 0967-0637
PURE UUID: 65a87f24-b071-487c-b46e-94ddc994e56b

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 20 Feb 2007
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 09:01

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: Ian Robinson
Author: John T. Allen
Author: Joanna J. Waniek

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×