Chlorophyll concentration along the northwestern coast of the Iberian Peninsula vs. atmosphere-ocean-land conditions

Abstract

The aim of this work is to investigate the relationship between the atmosphere-ocean-land conditions and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) formation along the northwestern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Spatial and temporal distribution of Chl-a concentration, sea surface temperature, surface winds and rivers discharge were analyzed from 1998 to 2007, using remote sensing data. Generally, the Chl-a concentrations are higher near the coast showing a seasonal variability. In fact, along the coast there are higher Chl-a concentrations during the dry season (April to September) which can be associated to the upwelling favorable conditions (southward winds). These favorable conditions are related to the presence of cold nutrient-rich water which upwells towards the surface layers enhancing the primary production. During winter months, the wind pattern is usually upwelling unfavorable (northward winds); however high Chl-a concentration also occurs near the coast. These high values could be related to the inland nutrients input through rivers discharge and winter upwelling events. Afterwards, correlation coefficients were computed between Chl-a and upwelling index, SST and rivers discharges. Between June to September chlorophyll and upwelling index are positively correlated, increasing southward (0.58 to the south of the study area). During winter, the correlation coefficient between chlorophyll and rivers discharge is 0.75 in the northern region of the study area. Therefore, during summer months the chlorophyll variations could be explained mainly by the frequent upwelling events, whereas during winter months, high chlorophyll concentration near coast depends on rivers discharges.