Long-Term Pattern of Primary Productivity in the East/Japan Sea Based on Ocean Color Data Derived from MODIS-Aqua

The East/Japan Sea (hereafter, the East Sea) is highly dynamic in its physical phenomena and biological characteristics, but it has changed substantially over the last several decades. In this study, a recent decadal trend of primary productivity in the East Sea was analyzed based on Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-derived monthly values to detect any long-term change. The daily primary productivities averaged using monthly values from 2003 to 2012 were 719.7 mg ̈C ̈m ́2 ̈d ́1 (S.D. ̆ 197.5 mg ̈C ̈m ́2 ̈d ́1, n = 120) and 632.3 mg ̈C ̈m ́2 ̈d ́1 (S.D. ̆ 235.1 mg ̈C ̈m ́2 ̈d ́1, n = 120) for the southern and northern regions of the East Sea, respectively. Based on the daily productivities, the average annual primary production in the East Sea was 246.8 g ̈C ̈m ́2 ̈y ́1, which was substantially higher than that previously reported in deep oceans. However, a decreasing trend (13% per 10 years) in the annual primary production was observed in the East Sea within the study period from 2003 to 2012. The shallower mixed layers caused by increased temperature could be a potential cause for the decline in annual production. However, this decline could also be part of an oscillation pattern that is strongly governed by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). A better understanding of primary productivity patterns and their subsequent effects on the marine ecosystem is required for further interdisciplinary studies in the East Sea.