Chlorophyll a increase induced by surface winds in the northern South China Sea

The response of chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration to wind stress is analyzed in the South China Sea (SCS), using in-situ data of Chl a and remote sensing data (QuikScat-sea surface wind (SSW), AVHRR-sea surface temperature (SST), AVISO merged-sea level anomalies (SLA), SeaWiFS-derived Chl a and MODIS Terra-derived Chl a) in August/September/October 2004, 2006 and 2009. The variability of SSW, SST and SLA 7 d before in-situ Chl a sampling (including the work day of in-situ Chl a sampling) with the same latitude and longitude of the study area are investigated, and the correlation coefficients are calculated between these hydrographic factors and in-situ Chl a concentration. The results show that the Chl a-SSW correlation coefficients at upper layers (such as 0 m and 25 m) are more significant than those at deeper layers (such as 50, 75 and 100 m) 1–3 d before, which indicates that there is a time lag of strong surface winds stimulating phytoplankton bloom. By analyzing the relationship among the daily remote sensing derived (RSderived) SSW, SST, SLA and 3 d averaged SeaWiFS/MODIS-derived Chl a concentration in the northern SCS in September 2004 and 2009 respectively, it shows that the intensity and speed of surface winds could have great influence on extend of Chl a increase. If surface winds reach 4–5 m/s over, Chl a concentration would increase 1–3 d after the process of strong surface winds in open sea area of the northern SCS mainly during September.