Pollution Research Paper

SEASONAL VARIABILITY OF CHLOROPHYLL-A CONCENTRATION AND ASSOCIATED PHYSICAL PARAMETERS IN SOUTHWEST BAY OF BENGAL USING REMOTE SENSING DATA

S.M. ANUSHA AND N. MAHENDRAN

Abstract

In the present paper the analysis of surface chlorophyll-a concentration in Southwest Bay of Bengal obtained using NASA’s AQUA Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer is carried out. The study portraits the chlorophyll-a pattern during July 2010 – June 2011. The monthly sea surface temperature (SST) trend and wind patterns using remote sensing satellite data are studied to elucidate their impact on chlorophyll distribution. This helped to decipher how the seasonally reversing monsoon wind induces blooming in the surface waters of the study area. Several oceanic features like eddies, fronts, gyres are observed. Highest mean chlorophyll was observed in January (Northeast monsoon) and lowest in May (Spring Inter monsoon). The significant feature observed along the study area was the subsurface cold core eddy with high salinity, nutrient and low dissolved oxygen water. Higher wind speed in Southwest and Northeast monsoon shows about increase in chlorophyll concentration and an increase in SST have shown decrease in chlorophyll concentration.