Monitoring Phytoplankton Productivity from Satellite - An Aid to Marine Resources Management

An important biogeochemical quantity monitored by satellites is the concentration of chlorophyll-a, an omnipresent pigment in all phytoplankton species and, for this reason, commonly used as an index of phytoplankton biomass. In marine waters, phytoplankton biomass is a key component of the ecosystem. Phytoplankton are responsible for the conversion of carbon dioxide to organic carbon through the pro- cess of photosynthesis, i.e. primary production. Marine photosynthesis represents approximately half of the total carbon fixation in the global biosphere, making it a critical element of the Earth¿s carbon budget and biogeochemical cycles. In addition, phytoplankton biomass and primary production are descriptors of the first trophic level in the marine food chain. Quantitative estimates of these variables from satel- lite could therefore provide important information on the structure and functioning of the rest of the food web, up to commercially exploited fish populations.

MELIN Frederic;  HOEPFFNER Nicolas; 

2011-01-17

EU PRESPO Project and International Ocean Colour Coordinating group

JRC62458