Quantifying the Variability of Phytoplankton Blooms in the NW Mediterranean Sea with the Robust Satellite Techniques (RST)

Investigating the variability of phytoplankton phenology plays a key role in regions characterized by cyclonic circulation regimes or convective events, like north-western Mediterranean Sea (NWM). The main goal this study is to assess potential robust satellite techniques (RST) identifying anomalous blooms NWM using 9 years (2008–2017) multi-sensor chlorophyll-a (chl-a) products from CMEMS and OC-CCI datasets. Further application RST approach on corresponding time-series situ chl-a measurements acquired at BOUSSOLE site allows evaluation ofthe accuracy satellite-based change detection indices selecting best indicator. derived anomaly index shows performances when compared data (R2 RMSE 0.75 0.48, respectively). Thus, it has been used characterize an bloom that occurred March 2012 regional scale. Results show positive anomalies between Center Convection Zone (CCZ) as possible consequence intense convection episode February 2012.