Seasonal and Spatial Variability of Primary Production in the Mozambique Channel

The surface circulation in the Mozambique Channel changes from northern part, where system is under dominance of monsoons, to central and southern parts, mesoscale eddies are more frequent. Despite these differences physics between three regions, satellite-based primary production shows that whole region characterized by similar seasonal variability production, which winter most productive season. A coupled physical-biogeochemical model configuration applied for used investigate how wind stress heat fluxes modulate seasonally spatially distribution new region. Higher integrated over euphotic layer depth accounts about 50% total Channel, indicating seasonality driven nutrients upwelled bellow zone. During other seasons year depth-integrated low, period when depends on remineralization organic matter sustain phytoplankton growth at subsurface. Stronger dominant forcing part responsible vertical advection entrainment nitrate below zone during winter, while intense negative net flux central/southern parts. However, it important note also enhance productivity with a focus period.