01-05 December 2025
INCOIS, Hyderabad, India.
| Abstract Submission No. | ABS-06-0032 |
| Title of Abstract | Vertical Profiles of Phytoplankton Biomass Variability in the Central Part of the Eastern Arabian Sea: Evidence from Bio-Argo Observations |
| Authors | Madhurima Paul*, Rashmi Rekha Nayak, Arun Chakraborty |
| Organisation | Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur |
| Address | INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY KHARAGPUR KHARAGPUR, WEST BENGAL, India Pincode: 721302 E-mail: write2madhurima@gmail.com |
| Country | India |
| Presentation | Poster |
| Abstract | The variability of phytoplankton biomass in the central part of the Eastern Arabian Sea is not fully understood. Using satellite and biogeochemical Argo data, we found a distinct climatological variation of Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) characterised by a distinct drop in surface Chl-a during September, followed by a sharp increase in October, which is unique to the region. Results show that shoaling or deepening of the mixed layer (ML) and stratification play a significant role in adjusting the phytoplankton biomass in different layers. During March⿿May and October⿿November, the ML shoals (~20m) due to surface warming and stratification, thus resulting in low phytoplankton biomass within the ML, but a significant subsurface Chl-a maxima below the ML. However, increasing wind stress and upwelling from June⿿August induce mixing in the upper water column (MLD > 35m), which increases phytoplankton growth due to higher nutrient levels. A distinct fall in the biomass during September is observed and attributed to reduced atmospheric and physical forcing parameters. The influence of strong upwelling in the south and convective mixing in the north does not have a significant influence on phytoplankton proliferation due to its distinct location between two significant areas. Furthermore, hovmöller plots indicate distinct latitudinal variations, indicating the uniqueness of the region and highlighting the influence of potential stressors on its productivity. The findings elucidate the response of vertical phytoplankton to changes induced by various atmospheric and physical forcing factors in prospective climate change scenarios. |
| Are you part of IIOE-2 endorsed project | no |
| Keywords | Bio-Argo, phytoplankton biomass, Chlorophyll-a, Eastern Arabian Sea |
| For Awards | no |