Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2004

DOI

10.1029/2003jc001938

Publication Title

Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans

Volume

109

Issue

C3

Pages

C03043 (21 pages)

Abstract

The physical effects of hurricanes include deepening of the mixed layer and decreasing of the sea surface temperature in response to entrainment, curl-induced upwelling, and increased upper ocean cooling. However, the biological effects of hurricanes remain relatively unexplored. In this paper, we examine the passages of 13 hurricanes through the Sargasso Sea region of the North Atlantic during the years 1998 through 2001. Remotely sensed ocean color shows increased concentrations of surface chlorophyll within the cool wakes of the hurricanes, apparently in response to the injection of nutrients and/or biogenic pigments into the oligotrophic surface waters. This increase in post-storm surface chlorophyll concentration usually lasted 2-3 weeks before it returned to its nominal pre-hurricane level.

Original Publication Citation

Babin, S. M., Carton, J. A., Dickey, T. D., & Wiggert, J. D. (2004). Satellite evidence of hurricane-induced phytoplankton blooms in an oceanic desert. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 109(C3), C03043. doi:10.1029/2003jc001938

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