Phytoplankton dynamics in the North Atlantic associated with the passage of hurricanes
Keywords:
North Atlantic, climate change, phytoplankton, hurricanes, nutrientsAbstract
Introduction: The increased oceanic temperature associated with climate change has augmented the activity of tropical cyclones globally. These meteorological phenomena induce substantial physicochemical perturbations on oceans with implications for the phytoplankton communities. The latter, are drifting photosynthetic microorganisms, which are the basis of the oceanic trophic webs. Besides, they modulate climate processes, biogeochemical cycles and influence fishery yields. The general objective of this work was to assess the response of phytoplankton and their environmental drivers to the passage of hurricanes (strongest tropical cyclones) in the North Atlantic in the period 1998–2019.
Methods: They were used satellite observations and outputs of mathematical models as data sources since the extreme meteorological conditions associated with these phenomena limit the collection of field data.
Results: They were characterized the phytoplankton response as well as their environmental drivers (e.g., sea surface temperature, depth of the mixed layer, upwelling, marine currents) to the passage of hurricanes across the waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cuba, the Gulf of Mexico and the Sargasso Sea. In general, hurricanes induce a significant increase of the phytoplankton biomass and diversity in the oligotrophic environments in the North Atlantic, due to the increased nutrient concentrations, which fuel their photosynthesis. Additionally, the horizontal transport of coastal waters induced by these phenomena leads to a fertilization of the oligotrophic environments enhancing the ecological connectivity in the region. Conclusions: Hurricanes can be seen as drivers of the phytoplankton productivity and diversity in the North Atlantic. The results obtained are an important baseline to guide and stimulate future research on climate change, ecology and/or environment in the region.
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