Effects of the interannual variability in chlorophyll concentrations on sea surface temperatures in the east tropical Indian Ocean

Abstract

AbstractThe effects of interannual variability in chlorophyll concentrations on sea surface temperatures in the east tropical Indian Ocean (ETIO) during two positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events (in the boreal fall of 1997 and 2006) are investigated; this is done through two ocean model experiments, one with and one without the interannual variability of chlorophyll concentrations. A comparison of the two chlorophyll perturbation experiments reveals that, in contrast to the cooling effects at the seasonal time scale, increased chlorophyll concentrations during positive IOD events lead to an increase in the sea surface temperatures within the ETIO. Although upward velocity is enhanced (with a cooling effect), this does not counterbalance the increase in solar heating caused by the increased chlorophyll concentrations. This interannual variability of chlorophyll concentrations in the ETIO could reduce the amplitude of the IOD by about 6%.