Oceanic Rossby waves acting as a "hay rake" for ecosystem floating by-products.
Recent satellite observations of Rossby waves and chlorophyll anomalies propagating in subtropical gyres have suggested that wave-induced upwelling could stimulate photosynthesis. Instead, we show that chlorophyll maxima are located in abnormally warm water, in Rossby wave-induced convergences. This excludes inputs of nutrients from deeper water. We argue that the sea color anomalies are not caused by chlorophyll but by floating particles evolved from the ecosystem and accumulated by Rossby waves, acting as "marine hay rakes," in convergence zones. Such processes may be determinant for the distribution of living organisms in oligotrophic areas.
Dandonneau
Yves
Y
IRD, IPSL/Laboratoire d'Océanographie Dynamique et de Climatologie, 75252 Paris 05, France. yd@lodyc.jussieu.fr
Vega
Andres
A
Loisel
Hubert
H
du Penhoat
Yves
Y
Menkes
Christophe
C
D000465:Algorithms; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000032:analysis*; D003116:Color; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017753:Ecosystem; D008027:Light; D009791:Oceanography / Q000379:methods*; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D010839:Phytoplankton; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012623:Seawater; D018531:Spacecraft; D013696:Temperature; D014872:Water Movements; D014919:Wind
D002734:Chlorophyll