Publications

Fang, Meihong; Ju, Weimin; Liu, Xiangnan; Yu, Zhifeng; Qiu, Feng (2015). Surface Chlorophyll-a Concentration Spatio-Temporal Variations in the Northern South China Sea Detected Using MODIS Data. TERRESTRIAL ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC SCIENCES, 26(3), 319-329.

Abstract
This study examines the spatio-temporal variations in the sea-surface chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration and their associated underlying driving forces in the northern South China Sea (SCS) from 2004 - 2010. A stratified analysis method and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Chl-a product, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data, with maps of monsoon winds and current systems were used in this work. Validation indicated that the MODIS-derived Chl-a is in good agreement with in-situ measurements (R-2 = 0.815), accurate enough for analyzing the temporal-spatial variations of Chl-a in the northern SCS. The results show that the spatial heterogeneity of the Chl-a concentration was lowest in winter and increased in spring. The seasonal Chl-a concentration dynamics varied spatially and depended predominantly on the distance from the coastline. The most important factors that affect the Chl-a concentration spatial variability were identified as the monsoon, surface current and sea surface temperature (SST).

DOI:
10.3319/TAO.2014.11.14.01(Oc)

ISSN:
1017-0839