Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2003

DOI

10.1029/2003gl017141

Publication Title

Geophysical Research Letters

Volume

30

Issue

13

Pages

1718 (4 pp.)

Abstract

[1] New evidence based on recent satellite data is presented to provide a rare opportunity in quantifying the long-speculated contribution of tropical cyclones to enhance ocean primary production. In July 2000, moderate cyclone Kai-Tak passed over the South China Sea (SCS). During its short 3-day stay, Kai-Tak triggered an average 30-fold increase in surface chlorophyll-a concentration. The estimated carbon fixation resulting from this event alone is 0.8 Mt, or 2-4% of SCS's annual new production. Given an average of 14 cyclones passing over the SCS annually, we suggest the long-neglected contribution of tropical cyclones to SCS's annual new production may be as much as 20-30%.

Rights

Web of Science: "Free full-text from publisher -- gold open access."

Copyright 2003 by the American Geophysical Union.

Original Publication Citation

Lin, I., Liu, W. T., Wu, C. C., Wong, G. T. F., Hu, C. M., Chen, Z. Q., . . . Liu, K. K. (2003). New evidence for enhanced ocean primary production triggered by tropical cyclone. Geophysical Research Letters, 30(13), 1718. doi:10.1029/2003gl017141

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Article Location

 
COinS