Examining features of enhanced phytoplankton biomass in the Bay of Bengal using a coupled physical‐biological model. Issue 7 (30th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gomes, Helga do Rosário; deRada, Sergio; Goes, Joaquim I.; Chai, Fei
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 121:Issue 7(2016:Jul.)
• Page Start: 5112
• Page End: 5133
• Publication Date: 2016-07-30
• Subjects: Bay of Bengal -- Sri Lanka Dome -- coupled bio‐physical model -- phytoplankton biomass -- monsoon -- ocean color; Oceanography -- Periodicals; 551.4605
• DOI: 10.1002/2015JC011508
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9275

Abstract

Abstract: A coupled bio‐physical ocean model is used to describe areas of enhanced phytoplankton biomass, seen in remotely sensed observations, in the otherwise oligotrophic environment of the Bay of Bengal. The model is based on the Naval Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM), which is one‐way coupled to the 13‐component Carbon, Silicate, and Nitrogen Ecosystem (CoSiNE) model and configured for the Indian Ocean. Model results are compared and evaluated against a set of in situ shipboard observations as well as ocean color data acquired from several remote sensing platforms. The model is shown to successfully simulate the seasonal cycle of phytoplankton, the markedly contrasting scenarios of phytoplankton distribution in the north versus the south Bay of Bengal, and the biological impact from the 1997/1998 Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event. The model simulation provides us with vertical cross sections of phytoplankton biomass from summer and winter blooms in the southwest of the bay, information not found in remotely sensed data. It also successfully reproduces the timing of the onset of the blooms and their spatial extent, thereby providing a measure of its potential for augmenting in situ and remotely sensed observations to improve understanding of the dynamics of primary producers and carbon cycling in one of the most poorly sampled regions of the world's oceans. Key Points: Coupled bio‐physical model configured for the Indian Ocean Description of areas of enhanced phytoplankton biomass validated by remotely sensed chlorophyll a Model provides vertical cross sections of phytoplankton not available by remote sensing