Satellite observation of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) variability in the wake of hurricanes and typhoons

[1] Satellite observation of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) absorption coefficient variability in the wake of numerous hurricanes and typhoons is reported here for the first time. Storm-induced vertically-mixed CDOM from deeper depths has a higher absorption coefficient than the photochemically degraded CDOM within the undisturbed pre-storm upper mixed layer. Principal findings are: (1) Little variability is observed prior to storm encounter at which time the CDOM-defined wake rapidly develops a notable right side asymmetry. (2) The more robust right-side CDOM absorption coefficient elevation is visible up to similar to30days depending on storm intensity. In a way that is similar to existing sea surface temperature imagery applications, the techniques in this paper are proposed as a complementary new research tool for the study of atmosphere-ocean interactions.