Spatio-Temporal Variability of Chlorophyll-A and Environmental Variables in the Panama Bight

Abstract

<jats:p>The analysis of synoptic satellite data of total chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and the environmental drivers that influence nutrient and light availability for phytoplankton growth allows us to understand the spatio-temporal variability of phytoplankton biomass. In the Panama Bight Tropical region (PB; 1–9°N, 79–84°W), the spatial distribution of Chl-a is mostly related to the seasonal wind patterns and the intensity of localized upwelling centers. However, the association between the Chl-a and different physical variables and nutrient availability is still not fully assessed. In this study, we evaluate the relationship between the Chl-a and multiple physical (wind, Ekman pumping, geostrophic circulation, mixed layer depth, sea level anomalies, river discharges, sea surface temperature, and photosynthetically available radiation) and chemical (nutrients) drivers in order to explain the spatio-temporal Chl-a variability in the PB. We used satellite data of Chl-a and physical variables, and a re-analysis of a biogeochemical product for nutrients (2002–2016). Our results show that at the regional scale, the Chl-a varies seasonally in response to the wind forcing and sea surface temperature. However, in the coastal areas (mainly Gulf of Panama and off central-southern Colombia), the maximum non-seasonal Chl-a values are found in association with the availability of nutrients by river discharges, localized upwelling centers and the geostrophic circulation field. From this study, we infer that the interplay among these physical-chemical drivers is crucial for supporting the phytoplankton growth and the high biodiversity of the PB region.</jats:p>

Surface-Water Quality of the Gulf of Papagayo, North Pacific, Costa Rica

“…Chlorophyll a values between seasons were significantly different (n = 88, p < 0.05), which may be due to the fact that during the dry season in this area, strong trade winds cause vertical displacement of the thermocline to the surface, causing coastal upwelling and therefore phytoplankton blooms [53]. Likewise, the average of chlorophyll a concentrations found for that time in this investigation is lower (1.21 mg m −3 ) than the value of~1.5 mg m −3 obtained by Corredor-Acosta et al [54] during the boreal winter (December to April, dry season in the Eastern Tropical Pacific) in the Panamá Gulf. Therefore, higher concentrations of chlorophyll a, as well as a decrease in temperature and an increase in salinity that characterized the waters, may be related to the upwelling phenomenon.…”

Spatiotemporal variability of oxygen concentration in coral reefs of Gorgona Island (Eastern Tropical Pacific) and its effect on the coral Pocillopora capitata

“…Values of Cl-a concentrations at Gorgona Island are like those in Peru (5–2 mg m −3 , Echevin et al, 2008 ). Two factors lead to a high concentration of Cl-a throughout the year along the Colombian Pacific coast: first, upwelling throughout most of Panama Bight at the beginning of the year, and second, high pluviosity and numerous rivers on the region that supply large amounts of nutrients through runoff ( Corredor-Acosta et al, 2020 ). Of local importance, Gorgona Island is 29 km offshore of the Sanquianga National Natural Park (NNP), where high sediment discharge from the Patia River occurs.…”

A Comparison of the Three Upwelling Indices in the South Java Sea Shelf

“…As a result, we have the same SST and Chl-a extraction points as shown in Figure 1. This method has been well implemented by Corredor-Acosta et al (2020) to analyze the prominent factors promoting low or high Chl-a values by re-gridding all variables in their study to 25 km (wind data resolution).…”