Variability of chlorophyll concentration in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal as observed from SeaWiFS data from 1997-2000 and its interrelationship with Sea Surface Temperature (SST) derived from NOAA AVHRR

Variability of chlorophyll concentration in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal has been studied using SeaWiFS eight-day average, 9 km processed data for the period 1997-2000. The interrelationship with sea surface temperature (SST) was studied with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) derived, best SST product. The chlorophyll pattern shows in general high concentrations during February to March in the Arabian Sea and November to December in the Bay of Bengal. Year-to-year variations in temperature show an inverse relation with chlorophyll, at different locations, even on a monthly basis. However, the intraannual variability in chlorophyll at different locations shows differences in the relationship with SST. The Arabian Sea showed an inverse relationship at most of the locations, while a positive relationship was observed in the northwest region during October to December and an inverse relationship during January to April. The Bay of Bengal showed positive relationships at northeast locations, whereas no definite assessment could be made for other locations due to the narrow range of chlorophyll concentration. A longer time series (similar to 10 years) will be required to establish a more concrete relationship but definitely consistent patterns are emerging from this study. The results form an additional dimension to the criteria for partitioning the ocean, required for global productivity or biophysical coupled modelling.