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dc.contributor.authorNakamoto, S.
dc.contributor.authorPrasannaKumar, S.
dc.contributor.authorOberhuber, J.M.
dc.contributor.authorIshizaka, J.
dc.contributor.authorMuneyama, K.
dc.contributor.authorFrouin, R.
dc.date.accessioned2009-01-07T10:44:34Z
dc.date.available2009-01-07T10:44:34Z
dc.date.issued2001
dc.identifier.citationGeophysical Research Letters, Vol.28; 2021-2024p.
dc.identifier.urihttp://drs.nio.org/drs/handle/2264/1571
dc.description.abstractThe influence of phytoplankton on the upper ocean dynamics and thermodynamics in the equatorial Pacific is investigated using an isopycnal ocean general circulation model (OPYC) coupled with a mixed layer model and remotely sensed chlorophyll pigment concentration from the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS). In the equatorial Pacific heat accumulation due to a higher abundance of chlorophyll pigments in the equatorial Pacific leads to a decrease of the mixed layer thickness. This generates anomalous westward geostrophic currents north and south of the equator. In the western equatorial Pacific, these anomalous geostrophic currents merge into and strengthen the equatorial undercurrent (EUC), supplying water mass from the 200-m depth to the eastern equatorial Pacific. This chlorophyll-induced response of the undercurrent enhances upwelling around 110W, resulting in a lower sea surface temperature (SST) than without chlorophyll. Thus, thermal gradients due to absorption of solar radiation by phytoplankton may contribute remotely to equatorial upwelling in the eastern Pacific
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAmerican Geophysical Union
dc.rightsCopyright [2001]. All efforts have been made to respect the copyright to the best of our knowledge. Inadvertent omissions, if brought to our notice, stand for correction and withdrawal of document from this repository.
dc.subjectchlorophylls
dc.subjectphytoplankton
dc.subjectthermodynamics
dc.subjectupper ocean
dc.subjectisopycnics
dc.subjectocean circulation
dc.subjectmodels
dc.titleResponse of the equatorial Pacific to chlorophyll pigment in a mixed layer isopycnal ocean general circulation model
dc.typeJournal Article


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