Vertical and horizontal variations in phytoplankton chlorophyll a in response to a looping super typhoon

Abstract

Previous studies suggested that the increase in surface chlorophyll a (Chl a) is due to nutrient upwelling or to the upward mixing of the subsurface Chl a maximum layer under the influence of tropical cyclones, while often ignoring the influence of the subsurface Chl a minimum layer and horizontal advection on Chl a. In this study, we show the important roles of the upward mixing of the subsurface Chl a minimum layer, horizontal advection, as well as the upwelling of the subsurface Chl a maximum layer, taking a looping super typhoon “Saola” in the northwest Pacific in August 2023 as an example. The temporal and spatial changes of Chl a and its physical properties were investigated by combining satellite, Argo, reanalysis, and model data. The results indicate that the combined effects of the upwelling of the subsurface Chl a maximum layer caused by wind stress curls and concurrent near-surface wind mixing were responsible for the surface Chl a increase in the looping area during the typhoon, while the 13% increase in the depth-integrated Chl a after the typhoon is mainly due to the nutrients brought by upwelling and subsequent biochemical processes. In the edge area affected by the typhoon, the surface Chl a decrease during the typhoon was mainly due to the upward mixing of the subsurface Chl a minimum layer (the effect of upwelling in this area is relatively weak). Furthermore, the horizontal advection led to a continuous surface Chl a decrease in the edge area after the typhoon. These findings could enhance understanding of Chl a dynamics post-tropical cyclones, aiding marine ecosystem prediction.