Study of a Hurricane Katrina-Induced Phytoplankton Bloom Using Satellite Observations and Model Simulations

Xiaoming Liu, NOAA/SPS, Inc, xiaoming.liu@noaa.gov (Presenting)
Menghua Wang, NOAA, menghua.wang@noaa.gov
Wei Shi, NOAA, wei.1.shi@noaa.gov

Satellite observations of sea surface temperature (SST) from Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer EOS (AMSR-E) and chlorophyll-a concentration from MODIS/AQUA revealed a phytoplankton bloom event in the vicinity of Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico after Hurricane Katrina passage. Sea Surface Height anomalies derived from satellite altimetry indicate that the bloom coincides with a Loop Current Frontal Eddy, and thus suggest the cold core eddy may play critical role in the phytoplankton bloom event. Results from numerical simulations of upper ocean dynamic and nutrient responses to Hurricane Katrina in different situations with and without eddies will be presented and discussed.

NASA Carbon Cycle & Ecosystems Active Awards Represented by this Poster:

• Award: NNH07AF19I
  Start Date: 2007-01-01