Estimation of primary production and its tempo-spatial variability for East Sea (Japan Sea), 1998-2007

Abstract

We investigated temporal and spatial variability of primary production in the East Sea (Japan Sea) from 1998 to 2007. Primary production was calculated from satellite ocean color data using an local primary production algorithm for East Sea (Japan Sea). The empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis was applied to identify the spatial pattern and temporal variation of primary production. The estimates of primary production showed characteristic spatial, seasonal and interannual variations. The first EOF mode showed that annual bloom appeared twice in spring and fall, with spring bloom greater than fall bloom. The time of maximum primary production mostly occurred in April throughout the southwestern region of East Sea (Japan Sea) except in 2003 and 2007 (May). The highest primary production value was observed in April 2002 (1106 mgC m-2 d-1) while the lowest value was in January 2005 (335 mgC m-2 d-1). Primary production in winter was lower than those in summer. These variations of primary production were associated with several environmental factors. Sea (Japan Sea). The empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis was applied to identify the spatial pattern and temporal variation of primary production. The estimates of primary production showed characteristic spatial, seasonal and interannual variations. The first EOF mode showed that annual bloom appeared twice in spring and fall, with spring bloom greater than fall bloom. The time of maximum primary production mostly occurred in April throughout the southwestern region of East Sea (Japan Sea) except in 2003 and 2007 (May). The highest primary production value was observed in April 2002 (1106 mgC m-2 d-1) while the lowest value was in January 2005 (335 mgC m-2 d-1). Primary production in winter was lower than those in summer. These variations of primary production were associated with several environmental factors.