Physical forcing of phytoplankton dynamics in the <scp>Al‐Wajh</scp> lagoon (Red Sea)

Coastal lagoons are biodiversity hotspots that support neighboring ecosystems and various services. They can exhibit distinct biophysical characteristics compared to the adjacent open sea act paradoxically as autonomous ecosystems. Using remotely sensed observations state-of-the-art numerical simulations, role of water column hydrodynamics in shaping seasonal succession phytoplankton biomass was investigated for a non-estuarine coastal lagoon situated northeastern Red Sea. Observations reveal blooms inside occur during distinctively different period sea. We provide evidence this striking difference is due contrasting hydrodynamic conditions between outside lagoon, through their effects on stratification regulate nutrient availability hence favorable sustain rapid growth. The proposed mechanism may offer new insights into understanding dynamics other tropical regions global oceans.