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General Session 1: Physical oceanic processes: Dynamics and physical-biological-biogeochemical interactions |
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Potential new production in two upwelling regions of the western Arabian Sea: Estimation and comparison
GS1-22
Xiaomei Liao* , Shenzhen University
Haigang Zhan, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology,CAS
Yan Du, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology,CAS
Presenter Email: lxmgusto@163.com
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| Using satellite-derived and in-situ data, the wind-driven potential new production (nitrate supply) for the 300-km-wide coastal band in two upwelling regions of the western Arabian Sea (AS) during the southwest monsoon is estimated. The upward nitrate flux to the euphotic zone is generally based on the physical processes of coastal transport (Ekman transport and geostrophic transport) and offshore Ekman pumping. The coastal geostrophic current in the western AS influences the upwelling intensity and latitudinal distributions of nitrate supply. The Oman and Somalia upwelling regions have similar level of potential new production (nitrate supply) during the summer monsoon, while the satellite estimates of primary production off Oman are two times greater than those off Somalia. The much higher potential f-ratio in the Somalia upwelling region indicates that the primary production could be limited by availability of other macronutrients (e.g., silicate). The correlation analysis of the primary production and the aerosol optical thickness shows that the Oman upwelling region displays a stronger coupling between the atmospheric deposition and the phytoplankton abundance. The high summertime dust levels in the atmosphere are suggested to contribute to the high primary production in the Oman upwelling region. |
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