Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

5-15-1999

Journal

Geophysical Research Letters

Volume

26

Issue

10

First Page

1465

Last Page

1468

Abstract

SeaWiFS estimates of surface chlorophyll concentrations are reported for the region of the U.S. JGOFS study in the Southern Ocean (similar to 170 degrees W, 60 degrees S). Elevated chlorophyll was observed at the Southern Ocean fronts, near the edge of the seasonal ice sheet, and above the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge. The elevated chlorophyll levels associated with the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge are surprising since even the crest of the ridge is at depths > 2000 m. This elevated phytoplankton biomass is likely the result of mesoscale physical-biological interactions where the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) encounters the ridge. Four cruises surveyed this region between October 1997 and March 1998, as part of the U.S. JGOFS. Satellite-derived chlorophyll concentrations were compared with in situ extracted chlorophyll measurements from these cruises. There was good agreement (r(2) of 0.72, from a linear regression of shipboard vs, satellite chlorophyll), although SeaWiFS underestimated chlorophyll concentrations relative to the ship data.

DOI

10.1029/1999GL900242

Keywords

phytoplankton

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