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Investigating the Relationship between Sea Surface Chlorophyll and Major Features of the South China Sea with Satellite Information
Published on: June 13, 2020
Response of net primary productivity in the South China Sea to ENSO
Hui Gao1, Huazhen Li2, Ying Chen3
1College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China; Research Center for Coastal Environmental Protection and Ecological Resilience, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China; Cooperative Research Center for Nearshore Marine Environmental Change, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China.
Abstract:
The South China Sea (SCS) has complex net primary productivity (NPP) dynamics linked to monsoons and ENSO, but regional and seasonal details of ENSO-driven mechanisms remain unclear. Using 21-year (2003-2023) Vertically Generalized Production Model (VGPM) product, this study investigates NPP variability across three subregions northern SCS (Area A), northwest Luzon (Area B), and eastern Vietnam (Area C) and clarifying how ENSO modulates the roles of sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface wind (SSW). Our results reveal that although NPP is strongly negatively correlated with SST and positively correlated with SSW, its regulation by these factors varies seasonally and regionally. SST dominates in Area B via strengthening stratification to limit nutrient supply, while SSW is primary in Area C by enhancing mixing and upwelling. Area A shows weaker correlations possibly due to terrestrial nutrient inputs. Among the three subregions, Area C exhibits the most pronounced NPP response to ENSO. Winter El Niño weakens northeast monsoon SSW, elevates SST, and strengthens stratification, reducing NPP in Area C. Winter La Niña enhances SSW, lowers SST, and promotes mixing, increasing NPP in Area C. Summer La Niña reduces NPP in Area C by weakening southwest monsoon SSW (suppressing upwelling) and elevating SST (strengthening stratification). Summer El Niño responses remain unclear due to limited data. This study highlights that ENSO significantly alters the dominant factors and variations of NPP in the SCS.
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