Spatial and temporal variability of chlorophyll-a concentrations in the coastal Gulf of Alaska, 1998–2011, using cloud-free reconstructions of SeaWiFS and MODIS-Aqua data

We examined the spatial and temporal variability of chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentrations in the coastal Gulf of Alaska (GOA) using a 14-year time series of cloud-free reconstructions of SeaWiFS and MODIS-Aqua chl-a data. Coast-wide and regional relationships between chl-a and likely environmental drivers, including anomalies in sea surface temperature (SST), photosynthetically-available radiation (PAR), sea surface height (SSHa), freshwater discharge, and coastal upwelling were explored. Coast-wide chl-a showed strong seasonal variability with pronounced spring and fall blooms, but both the magnitude and the seasonal patterns showed considerable interannual variability. Coast-wide annual chl-a anomalies were positive in years with elevated PAR, low SST, and a reduction in downwelling-favorable winds — conditions that are indicative of reduced cyclonic circulation associated with a weak Aleutian Low. The apparent negative effect of strong cyclonic circulation in the GOA on chl-a levels was further supported by negative relationships between elevated sea levels and coast-wide chl-a in both the spring and fall. If chl-a concentrations in the coastal GOA reflect productivity, these results are contrary to the prevailing view that strong cyclonic circulation enhances productivity in the GOA. The variability in the chl-a in each of four distinct and spatially contiguous regions that differed in the timing and magnitude of the spring and fall blooms was associated with different combinations of environmental variables.