Phytoplankton Blooms Expanding Further Than Previously Thought in the Ross Sea: A Remote Sensing Perspective

Accurate and robust measurements from ocean color satellites are critical to studying spatial temporal changes of surface properties. Satellite-derived Chlorophyll-a (Chl) is an important parameter monitor phytoplankton blooms on synoptical scales, particularly in remote seas. However, the present NASA standard Chl algorithm tends strongly underestimate Ross Sea. Based a locally-tuned Sea using data record MODIS between 2002 2020, here we investigated expansion Our results show geometric areas could reach (7.20 ± 2.8) × 104 km2 average, which was ~3.1 times that those identified default algorithm. Spatially, were frequently shelf polynya with typical chance ≥80%. In context climate change global warming, general decrease interannual dynamics sea ice cover affect solar light penetration seawater temperature, found regulate over years. Statistical analyses showed coverages significantly correlated temperature (Spearman correlation coefficient R = 0.55, at p < 0.05), wind speed (R 0.42, concentration −0.84, yet without significant long-term (>10 years) trends study period. The stronger than previously observed may indicate larger carbon sequestration, needs be future. More valid satellite observations under cloud covers will further constrain estimates.