Estimation of seasonal and inter-annual variations of phytoplankton in the Black Sea on the base of remote sensed data procession and chlorophyll a in situ measurements

Abstract

The patterns of the seasonal and inter annual variability in the development of phytoplankton, including coc- colithophores, were studied in the northeastern part of the Black Sea in various seasons. The research was carried out on the base of remote sensed data provided by the Modis Aqua ocean color scanner and long-term ship observations. The results indicate that, in the coastal and open waters of the Black Sea, the development of phytoplankton reaches the highest level in the fall-winter and winter-spring seasons, i.e., in the periods of active winter convection. It was noted that there is a relationship between the level of coccolithophore development in the summer period and the minimal temperature of the sea surface layer in the preceding winter. The most active coccolithophore blooms, were observed after the coldest winters. Unusual winter and early spring coccolithophore blooms taking place in mild hydro meteorological conditions were registered in the Black Sea, on the base of satellite data and were confirmed by in situ measurements.