Atmospheric transport of nutrients during a harmful algal bloom event

Abstract

A large-scale, mixed Prorocentrum dentatum Stein and Skeletonema costatum bloom developed in the coastal waters of Zhejiang province, China (Zhoushan city and Liuheng Island) from May 3 to 8, 2006. We used the Global Nested Air Quality Prediction Modeling System (GNAQPMS) to show that nutrients (nitrate, ammonium and FeII) were atmospherically transported to the East China Sea before the harmful algal bloom. We suggest that atmospheric transport is a significant source of nutrients in the East China Sea when the hydrological setting is dominated by the oligotrophic Taiwan warm current in spring. This atmospheric transport of nutrients is a possible cause of harmful algal blooms along the coast of the East China Sea during dust events.