Phytoplankton Dynamics in the Pelagos Sanctuary: a Satellite Approach

Phytoplankton dynamics in the Pelagos International Marine Mammals Sanctuary, NW Mediterranean Sea, was studied using five years (1998-2002) of Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) data. Mean chl images were derived for 10-day periods and a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) performed over the whole dataset. The surface patterns were used to trace the seasonal sequence of events that supports the extraordinary ecology of the Sanctuary, where the fertilization of surface waters due to air-sea interactions supports a large biomass of primary (and secondary) producers, as well as a highly developed food web, including a standing population of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus).

FINOIA Maria Grazia;  MANCA ZEICHEN Marta;  BARALE Vittorio; 

2008-05-06

MEDCOAST, Middle East Technical University

JRC42095