Observed variations in the tropical phytoplankton community structure and biogeochemical processes have been linked to the El Nino Southern Oscillation, a driver of large-scale natural climate variability on interannual timescales. Satellite bio-optical algorithms have allowed us to derive complex biological parameters from the surface ocean via remote sensing, providing a scientific platform to investigate biological relationships with climate indices. Studies have focused in-depth on contrasting types of the ENSO types with various physical parameters with only a few recent studies focusing on satellite-observed chlorophyll-a, with however none focusing on phytoplankton biomass itself. Here we review the types of ENSO and its effect on backscattering-based biomass using different statistical techniques, over the 1997-2007 period. We also contrast the responses of phytoplankton biomass with those of chlorophyll-a and their physical drivers in various types of ENSO. Signatures of various ENSO types are observed in the physical and biological fields.
1.Univ Penn, Dept Earth & Environm Sci, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA 2.Univ South Pacific, Pacific Ctr Environm & Sustainable Dev, Suva, Fiji 3.Calif State Univ, Dept Liberal Studies, San Marcos, CA USA
Recommended Citation:
Sharma, Priya,Singh, A.,Marinov, I.,et al. Contrasting ENSO Types With Satellite-Derived Ocean Phytoplankton Biomass in the Tropical Pacific[J]. GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS,2019-01-01,46(11):5987-5996