CDOM Spatiotemporal Variability in the Mediterranean Sea: A Modelling Study

This study investigates the spatial and temporal variability of chromophoric-dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in Mediterranean Sea. The analysis is carried out using a state-of-the-art 3D biogeochemical model. model describes plankton dynamics, cycles most important limiting nutrients, particulate dissolved pools carbon. source CDOM directly correlated to dynamics carbon (DOC) by fixed production quota. Then degrades photobleaching remineralization. main innovation system inclusion bio-optical radiative transfer that computes surface upwelling irradiance, therefore simulates remotely sensed reflectance (Rrs). Simulation results three configurations are evaluated satellite Rrs, particularly at 412 nm, 443 490 nm. All simulations show winter minimum Rrs for considered bands. However, different parameterizations DOC-release induce accumulation CDOM, especially eastern Mediterranean, signature: more active microbial loop during summer implies decrease We demonstrate how usage allows us corroborate hypotheses on CDOM-cycling based blue–violet data, supporting importance this complementary data stream with respect satellite-derived chlorophyll.