18-year variability of ultraviolet radiation penetration in the mid-latitude coastal waters of the western boundary Pacific

Abstract

The 18-year time-series shows in situ ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) diffuse attenuation coefficient Kd(λ) have recurrent seasonal variability of high/low attenuation during summer/winter months, respectively, dependent on variability in water column stratification and concentrations of bio-optical properties. The mid-latitude coastal survey station displayed significant seasonality of the mixed layer depth (MLD) between 12 and 82 m which modified the distribution of chlorophyll a (4.6–24.9 mg m−2) and absorption of colored dissolved organic matter [aCDOM(320 nm) 0.043–1.34 m−1]. The median Kd(320 nm) displayed significant seasonality at 0.19–0.74 m−1 (C.V. = 44.1%) and seasonal variability within the euphotic layer [Z10%(320 nm) = 7–20%]. High attenuation of UVR with relatively moderate attenuation of PAR was consistently observed during the summer months when increased concentrations of terrestrially derived CDOM coupled with a shallow MLD were present. The winter season showed the opposite of low UVR and PAR attenuation due to a relatively deeper MLD coupled with low concentrations of bio-optical properties. Although the long term Kd(λ) did not vary significantly during the time-series, analysis of the interannual variability suggests there are positive and negative phases following the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) vis-a-vis variability in bio-optical properties (p < 0.001).