How the Subpolar gyre strength influences phytoplankton blooms dynamics in the North Atlantic ...

• Main Authors: Ferreira, S. A., Payne, M. R., MacKenzie, B. R., Visser, A. W.
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: unknown
• Published: ASC 2012 - Theme session R 2024
• Subjects: Technologies and data; Ecosystem observation, processes and dynamics; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.24974769; https://ices-library.figshare.com/articles/conference_contribution/How_the_Subpolar_gyre_strength_influences_phytoplankton_blooms_dynamics_in_the_North_Atlantic/24974769

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.Changes in the North Atlantic Subpolar gyre (NASPG) have been linked to the interannual variability of primary production. However, little is known about the mechanisms behind both environmental processes, and how the NASPG strength may extend its potential impacts to higher trophic levels, including early life stages of commercial fish species. We assess NASPG strength effect on North Atlantic phytoplankton bloom dynamics. We analysed time series (from 1998 to 2010) of chlorophyll α as a proxy of phytoplankton abundance, and the NASPG as a proxy for environmental variability. 17 regions were strategically chosen to characterize positions relative to the NASPG and its dynamics. It is hypothesized that a strong NASPG index will be associated with a low abundance, late phytoplankton bloom, possibly induced by higher heat losses, and thus lower temperatures. In general, across the entire North Atlantic, later blooms were observed in higher ...