Analysis of Global Ocean Chlorophyll in relation to Equatorial Atmospheric Circulation
Abstract
The Ocean color is an indicator of biological activity and ecosystem productivity. There have been numerous observational and modeling studies related to equatorial and coastal ocean chlorophyll concentrations and the influence of ocean dynamics on their patterns (for example Murtugude et al., 1999). However, not many studies in the past have focused on exploring the connection between the equatorial lower atmospheric circulation and the corresponding ocean chlorophyll patterns. In the current study, an attempt is made to explore the effect of equatorial atmospheric circulation cell proposed by Asnani (1993) on the underlying oceanic chlorophyll patterns. The results of analysis of satellite derived global monthly ocean chlorophyll data from January to December 2004 in conjunction with atmospheric fields such as sea surface pressure, satellite derived sea surface winds, and total precipitable water over an atmospheric column are presented. It is shown that the ocean chlorophyll patterns tend to correlate with the equatorial atmospheric circulation. In addition they exhibit features giving support to the model of equatorial atmospheric circulation and the associated " equatorial dynamical valley effect" proposed by Asnani (1993).
- Publication:
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AGU Spring Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AGUSMOS31A..09C
- Keywords:
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- 4299 General or miscellaneous