Chlorophyll Concentration Dynamics in the Southern California Bight
Craig Gelpi
Catalina Marine Society, [email protected]
A long-term time series of MODIS data is used to investigate chlorophyll dynamics in the Southern California Bight. In addition to the annual
variations expected in temperate seas, we look for influences of the Channel Islands and episodic events, such as Autumnal high-speed winds
(Santa Anas). For Santa Monica Bay, a secondary maximum is found to occur around September and October. The relation between winds, SST and
chlorophyll for this secondary maximum is explored.
Days: 297-304
Days: 305-312
Days: 313-320
Days: 289-296
Days: 321-328
Days: 329-336
Figure 1. Study site
Figure 2. 8-year mean Chl & SST
Days: 337-344
Days: 345-352
Days: 353-360
Days: 361-365
Figure 6. 8-day, 4-km sampling of 2010 Chl event, suggesting event
originates in Santa Barbara Channel.
Santa Ana event Oct. 2007
Day 294, 2007
1
2
Day 296, 2007
Day 298, 2007
Day 300, 2007
Day 302, 2007
3
4
Figure 3. Monthly Chl averages for 4 sites.
Days 289-296
Days 297-304
Days 305-312
Days 313-320
Figure 7. AVHRR SST (top row), satellite-derived surface wind (middle)
and 8-day, 4-km Chl sampling (bottom) during time of strong Santa Ana
winds. Signal associated with winds is seen in SST at Malibu. No
significant Chl event is detected.
S.Catalina
Northern C. I.
Figure 4. Latitudinal Chl
diminishes with distance
from shore at Malibu.
Figure 5. The fall /winter S.Nicolas
Chl average is dominated
S.Clemente
by events in 2003 and
Figure 8. Latitude and longitude chlorophyll
2010.
profiles through San Nicolas versus time.
1.
2.
3.
Summary
Major chlorophyll events in the
Fall appear to originate in the
Santa Barbara Channel.
Chlorophyll events associated
with Santa Ana winds are
insignificant.
Many Channel islands are
associated with chlorophyll
signatures.