Sea surface temperature (SST) and ocean color (OC) pattern relationships on an annual and seasonal basis in the Subtropical NE Atlantic, using satellite (AVHRR and MODIS) data (2002-2006)

Guimarães, João Vieira Santos Mesquita

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/206

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Authors

Guimarães, João Vieira Santos Mesquita

Abstract(s)

Main objectives of this study are to describe temporal and spatial variability of sea surface temperature (SST) and Ocean Color (OC) in the Subtropical Atlantic on monthly, seasonal and inter-annual scales. As an input, five years (2002-2006) of AVHRR SST (in ºC) (NASA/JPL/PO.DACC) and of MODIS OC (chlorophyll a in mg/ m3) (NASA/GSFC) images were used. At the south-western part of the region, the ocean waters were generally the warmest, while the highest OC was found at the Portuguese coast. Result show that SST variability in the region is primarily a balance between ocean surface heating and wind mixing, with some input of SST gradients transport by advection. In tropical waters, inter-annual SST variability showed high negative correlations with NAO index. With some exceptions, Ocean Color seasonal variability varied inversely with respect to SST. In the open ocean regions spring bloom produced the highest chlorophyll a concentration while at the Portuguese coast strong summer bloom is present. In tropical regions, OC variability showed significant negative correlations with SST, particularly during spring and summer.