Effects of multiple dynamic processes on chlorophyll variation in the Luzon Strait in summer 2019 based on glider observation -- Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,2023,41(2):469-481

	Cite this paper:
	Xiangpeng Wang, Yan Du, Yuhong Zhang, Tianyu Wang. Effects of multiple dynamic processes on chlorophyll variation in the Luzon Strait in summer 2019 based on glider observation[J]. Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, 2023, 41(2): 469-481

Effects of multiple dynamic processes on chlorophyll variation in the Luzon Strait in summer 2019 based on glider observation

Xiangpeng Wang^1,2, Yan Du^1,2,3, Yuhong Zhang^1,2,3, Tianyu Wang^1,3

1. State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China;
2. College of Marine Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China;
3. Guangdong Key Laboratory of Ocean Remote Sensing, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China

Abstract:

Luzon Strait is the main channel connecting the South China Sea (SCS) and the western Pacific, with complex atmospheric and oceanic dynamic processes. Based on 44 days of glider measurements and satellite observations, we investigated the temporal and vertical variations of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration in the Luzon Strait from July 25 to September 6, 2019. The Chl a was mainly distributed above 200 m and concentrated in the subsurface chlorophyll maximum (SCM) layer. The depth of SCM ranged between 50 m and 110 m, and the magnitude of SCM varied from 0.42 mg/m³ to 1.12 mg/m³. The variation of Chl a was identified with three stages responding to different dynamic processes. Under the influence of Kuroshio intrusion, the SCM depth sharply deepened, and its magnitude decreased in Stage 1. Afterward, a prominent Chl-a bloom was observed in the SCM layer from August 6 to August 16. The Chl-a bloom in Stage 2 was related to the influence of a cyclonic eddy, which uplifted of the thermocline and thus the deep nutrients. During Stage 3, prolonged heavy rainfall in the northeastern SCS resulted in a significant salinity decrease in the upper ocean. The convergence of upper water deepened the thermocline and the mixed layer. Thus, the Chl a decreased in the SCM layer but increased in the surface layer. In particular, a typhoon passed through the Luzon Strait on August 24, which induced the Chl a increase in the upper 50 m. However, there was little change in the depth-integrated Chl a (0-200 m), indicating that the Chl a increase in the surface layer was likely associated with physical entrainment of SCM caused by strong mixing, rather than the phytoplankton bloom in the upper water column. Underwater gliders provide frequent autonomous observations that help us understand the regional ocean’s complex dynamic processes and biological responses.

Received: 2021-12-11 Revised:

Tools

PDF (5251 KB) Free

Print this page

Add to favorites

Email this article to others

Authors

Articles by Xiangpeng Wang

Articles by Yan Du

Articles by Yuhong Zhang

Articles by Tianyu Wang

References:
[1] Babin S M, Carton J A, Dickey T D et al. 2004. Satellite evidence of hurricane-induced phytoplankton blooms in an oceanic desert. Journal of Geophysical Research:Oceans, 109(C3):C03043, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003JC001938.
[2] Caruso M J, Gawarkiewicz G G, Beardsley R C. 2006. Interannual variability of the Kuroshio intrusion in the South China Sea. Journal of Oceanography, 62(4):559-575, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-006-0076-0.
[3] Chai F, Wang Y T, Xing X G et al. 2021. A limited effect of sub-tropical typhoons on phytoplankton dynamics. Biogeosciences, 18(3):849-859, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-849-2021.
[4] Chen Y, Zhao H. 2021. Spatial distribution of the summer subsurface chlorophyll maximum in the North South China Sea. PLoS One, 16(4):e0248715. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248715.
[5] Chen Y L, Chen H Y, Lin I I et al. 2007. Effects of cold eddy on phytoplankton production and assemblages in Luzon Strait bordering the South China Sea. Journal of Oceanography, 63(4):671-683, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-007-0059-9.
[6] de Boyer Montégut C, Madec G, Fischer A S et al. 2004. Mixed layer depth over the global ocean:an examination of profile data and a profile-based climatology. Journal of Geophysical Research:Oceans, 109(C12):C12003, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JC002378.
[7] Du C, Liu Z, Dai M et al. 2013. Impact of the Kuroshio intrusion on the nutrient inventory in the upper northern South China Sea:insights from an isopycnal mixing model. Biogeosciences, 10(10):6419-6432, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-6419-2013.
[8] Gao S, Wang H, Liu G M et al. 2010. The statistical estimation of the vertical distribution of chlorophyll a concentration in the South China Sea. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 32(4):168-176, https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-2094-7-30. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[9] Gaube P, McGillicuddy Jr D J, Chelton D B et al. 2014. Regional variations in the influence of mesoscale eddies on near-surface chlorophyll. Journal of Geophysical Research:Oceans, 119(12):8195-8220, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JC010111.
[10] Gong X, Shi J, Gao H W. 2012. Subsurface chlorophyll maximum in ocean:its characteristics and influencing factors. Advances in Earth Science, 27(5):539-548, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-011-0280-z. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[11] Guo L, Xiu P, Chai F et al. 2017. Enhanced chlorophyll concentrations induced by Kuroshio intrusion fronts in the northern South China Sea. Geophysical Research Letters, 44(22):11565-11572, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL075336.
[12] He Q Y, Zhan H G, Cai S Q et al. 2016. Eddy effects on surface chlorophyll in the northern South China Sea:mechanism investigation and temporal variability analysis. Deep Sea Research Part I:Oceanographic Research Papers, 112:25-36, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2016.03.004.
[13] Ke Z X, Huang L M, Tan Y H et al. 2013. Spatial distribution of chlorophyll a and its relationships with environmental factors in northern South China Sea in late summer 2008. Journal of Tropical Oceanography, 32(4):51-57, https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1009-5470.2013.04.008. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[14] Lee J H, Moon J H, Kim T. 2020. Typhoon-triggered phytoplankton bloom and associated upper-ocean conditions in the northwestern Pacific:evidence from satellite remote sensing, Argo profile, and an ocean circulation model. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 8(10):788, https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8100788.
[15] Letelier R M, Karl D M, Abbott M R et al. 2004. Light driven seasonal patterns of chlorophyll and nitrate in the lower euphotic zone of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Limnology and Oceanography, 49(2):508-519, https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2004.49.2.0508.
[16] Li S F, Wang S X, Zhang F M et al. 2019. Constructing the three-dimensional structure of an anticyclonic eddy in the south china sea using multiple underwater gliders. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 36(12):2449-2470, https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-19-0006.1.
[17] Lin I I. 2012. Typhoon-induced phytoplankton blooms and primary productivity increase in the western north Pacific subtropical ocean. Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans, 117(C3):C03039, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JC007626.
[18] Lin I I, Lien C C, Wu C R et al. 2010. Enhanced primary production in the oligotrophic South China Sea by eddy injection in spring. Geophysical Research Letters, 37(16):L16602, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010GL043872.
[19] Liu K K, Wang L W, Dai M et al. 2013. Inter-annual variation of chlorophyll in the northern South China Sea observed at the SEATS Station and its asymmetric responses to climate oscillation. Biogeosciences, 10(11):7449-7462, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-7449-2013.
[20] Liu Q Y, Jia Y L, Liu P H et al. 2001. Seasonal and intraseasonal thermocline variability in the central South China Sea. Geophysical Research Letters, 28(23):4467-4470, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001GL013185.
[21] Liu Y P, Tang D L, Tang S L et al. 2020. A case study of Chlorophyll a response to tropical cyclone Wind Pump considering Kuroshio invasion and air-sea heat exchange. Science of the Total Environment, 741:140290, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140290.
[22] Lu X Q, Yu H, Ying M et al. 2021. Western North Pacific tropical cyclone database created by the China meteorological administration. Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, 38(4):690-699, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-020-0211-7.
[23] McGillicuddy D J, Robinson A R, Siegel D A et al. 1998. Influence of mesoscale eddies on new production in the Sargasso Sea. Nature, 394(6690):263-266, https://doi.org/10.1038/28367.
[24] Morison J, Andersen R, Larson N et al. 1994. The correction for thermal-lag effects in sea-bird CTD data. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 11(11):1151-1164, 2.0.CO;2">https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(1994)011<1151:TCFTLE>2.0.CO;2.
[25] Nan F, Xue H J, Chai F et al. 2011. Identification of different types of Kuroshio intrusion into the South China Sea. Ocean Dynamics, 61(9), 1291-1304, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-011-0426-3.
[26] Nan F, Xue H J, Yu F. 2015. Kuroshio intrusion into the South China Sea:a review. Progress in Oceanography, 137:314-333, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2014.05.012.
[27] Ning X, Chai F, Xue H et al. 2004. Physical-biological oceanographic coupling influencing phytoplankton and primary production in the South China Sea. Journal of Geophysical Research:Oceans, 109(C10):C10005, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JC002365.
[28] Pan S S, Shi J, Gao H W et al. 2017. Contributions of physical and biogeochemical processes to phytoplankton biomass enhancement in the surface and subsurface layers during the passage of typhoon Damrey. Journal of Geophysical Research:Biogeosciences, 122(1):212-229, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JG003331.
[29] Peñaflor E L, Villanoy C L, Liu C T et al. 2007. Detection of monsoonal phytoplankton blooms in Luzon Strait with MODIS data. Remote Sensing of Environment, 109(4):443-450, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2007.01.019.
[30] Qiu C H, Mao H B, Wang Y H et al. 2019. An irregularly shaped warm eddy observed by Chinese underwater gliders. Journal of Oceanography, 75(2):139-148, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-018-0490-0.
[31] Qiu G Q, Xing X G, Chai F et al. 2021. Far-field impacts of a super typhoon on upper ocean phytoplankton dynamics. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8:643608, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.643608.
[32] Qu T D. 2002. Evidence for water exchange between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean through the Luzon Strait. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 21(2):175-185.
[33] Rudnick D L, Johnston T M S, Sherman J T. 2013. High-frequency internal waves near the Luzon Strait observed by underwater gliders. Journal of Geophysical Research:Oceans, 118(2):774-784, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrc.20083.
[34] Shang C J, Liang C R, Chen G Y et al. 2021. The influence of turbulent mixing on the subsurface chlorophyll maximum layer in the northern South China Sea. Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, 39(6):2167-2180, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-020-0313-1.
[35] Shu Y Q, Chen J, Li S et al. 2019. Field-observation for an anticyclonic mesoscale eddy consisted of twelve gliders and sixty-two expendable probes in the northern South China Sea during summer 2017. Science China Earth Sciences, 62(2):451-458, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-018-9239-0.
[36] Siswanto E, Ishizaka, J, Yokouchi K. 2005. Estimating chlorophyll-a vertical profiles from satellite data and the implication for primary production in the Kuroshio front of the East China Sea. Journal of Oceanography, 61(3):575-589, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-005-0066-7.
[37] Tang D L, Ni I H, Kester D R et al. 1999. Remote sensing observations of winter phytoplankton blooms southwest of the Luzon Strait in the South China Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 191:43-51, https://doi.org/10.3354/meps191043.
[38] Tian J W, Yang Q X, Liang X F et al. 2006. Observation of Luzon strait transport. Geophysical Research Letters, 33(19):L19607, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006gl026272.
[39] Tsutsumi E, Matsuno T, Itoh S et al. 2020. Vertical fluxes of nutrients enhanced by strong turbulence and phytoplankton bloom around the ocean ridge in the Luzon Strait. Scientific Reports, 10(1):17879, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-74938-5.
[40] Wang X P, Du Y, Zhang Y H et al. 2021. Influence of two eddy pairs on high-salinity water intrusion in the northern South China Sea during fall-winter 2015/2016. Journal of Geophysical Research:Oceans, 126(6), e2020JC016733, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JC016733.
[41] Williams C, Sharples J, Mahaffey C et al. 2013. Wind-driven nutrient pulses to the subsurface chlorophyll maximum in seasonally stratified shelf seas. Geophysical Research Letters, 40(20):5467-5472, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013GL058171.
[42] Xian T, Sun L, Yang Y J et al. 2012. Monsoon and eddy forcing of chlorophyll-a variation in the northeast South China Sea. International journal of remote sensing, 33(23):7431-7443, https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2012.685970.
[43] Xiu P, Guo M X, Zeng L L et al. 2016. Seasonal and spatial variability of surface chlorophyll inside mesoscale eddies in the South China Sea. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 19(3):250-259, https://doi.org/10.1080/14634988.2016.1217118.
[44] Xu J P, Su J L. 1997. Hydrographic analysis on the intrusion of the Kuroshio into the South China Sea:II. Observational results during the cruise from August to September in 1994. Tropical Oceanology, 16(2):1-23. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[45] Xu W L, Wang G F, Cheng X H et al. 2022. Characteristics of subsurface chlorophyll maxima during the boreal summer in the South China Sea with respect to environmental properties. Science of the Total Environment, 820:153243, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153243.
[46] Xu W L, Wang G F, Zhou W et al. 2018. Vertical variability of chlorophyll a concentration and its responses to hydrodynamic processes in the northeastern South China Sea in summer. Journal of Tropical Oceanography, 37(5):62-73. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[47] Ying M, Zhang W, Yu H et al. 2014. An overview of the China Meteorological Administration tropical cyclone database. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 31(2):287-301, https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-12-00119.1.
[48] Zhang W Z, Wang H L, Chai F et al. 2016. Physical drivers of chlorophyll variability in the open South China Sea. Journal of Geophysical Research:Oceans, 121(9):7123-7140, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JC011983.
[49] Zhang Z W, Zhao W, Qiu B et al. 2017. Anticyclonic eddy sheddings from Kuroshio loop and the accompanying cyclonic eddy in the northeastern South China Sea. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 47(6):1243-1259, https://doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-16-0185.1.
[50] Zhao H, Qi Y Q, Wang D X et al. 2005. Study on the features of chlorophyll-a derived from SeaWiFS in the South China Sea. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 27(4):45-52. (in Chinese with English abstract)