Relation Between Chlorophyll-A Concentration and Red Tide in the Intensive Study Area of the Ariake Sea, Japan in Winter Seasons by using MODIS Data

Relation between chlorophyll-a concentration and red tide in the intensive study area of the back of Ariake Sea, Japan in the recent winter seasons is investigated by using MODIS data. Mechanism of red tide appearance is not so clarified. On the other hand, chlorophyll-a concentration can be estimated with satellite remote sensing data. An attempt is made for estimation of the location and size of red tide appearance. In particular, severe damage due to red tide is suspected in the winter seasons now a day. Therefore, 6 years (winter 2010 to winter 2015) data of MODIS data derived chlorophyll-a concentration and truth data of red tide appearance (the location and the volume) which are provided by Saga Prefectural Fishery Promotion Center: SPFPC (once/10 days of shipment data) have been investigated. As the results of the investigation, it is found that a strong correlation between the chlorophyll-a concentration and red tide appearance together with the possible sources of the red tide. Keywords—chlorophyl-a concentration; red tide; diatom; MODIS; satellite remote sensing