Anomalous winter winds decrease 2014 transition zone productivity in the NE Pacific

• Published in: Geophysical research letters Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 428 - 431
• Main Author: Whitney, Frank A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Blackwell Publishing Ltd 28-01-2015; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Aquatic birds; Chlorophyll; Chlorophylls; Communities; Fish; Fisheries; Marine fish; Marine mammals; Meteorology; Mineral nutrients; northeast Pacific Ocean; Nutrient transport; Nutrients; ocean productivity; Phytoplankton; Predation; Predators; Productivity; Satellites; Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor; Seabirds; SST; Transition zone; Transport; Wind; Winds; Winter; IN, North Pacific
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1002/2014GL062634

Wind‐driven transport from the North Pacific in winter provides nutrients to a highly productive region in the transition zone between the subarctic and subtropics. This region supports many species of fish, marine mammals, and seabirds. In winter 2013/2014, anomalous winds from the south weakened nutrient transport in the eastern North Pacific, resulting in substantial decreases in phytoplankton biomass. By January 2014, waters were warmer than usual by 3.5°C at the center of an affected area covering ~1.5 × 106 km2. South of this area, winter chlorophyll levels dropped to the lowest levels seen since the Sea‐viewing Wide Field‐of‐view Sensor satellite began taking measurements in 1997. It is anticipated that impacts will be felt in some fisheries and among migrating predators this coming year.
Key Points
Wind anomaly reduced nutrient transport toward subtropics
Chlorophyll in transition zone decreased to lowest levels yet observed
Impacts may be felt in fish and top predator communities