Satellite observations of the coccolithophorid bloom in the Barents Sea

Abstract

The data of the color satellite ocean scanners SeaWiFS and MODIS-Aqua provide evidence that a sharp increase in the backscattering coefficient of the suspended particles occurred within a considerable part of the Barents Sea during the last decade in July–September. Judging from all the indications, this increase can be attributed to the coccolithophorid bloom. In 2004, we were able to directly substantiate this attribution. Water samples for determining the phytoplankton concentration were collected in the course of observations from onboard the R/V Professor Stokman in the western Barents Sea during the fast growth of the backscattering coefficient of the suspended particles according to the satellite data. They revealed the high concentration of the coccolithophorids and coccoliths. The satellite data indicate the strong variability of the areas of the bloom in time and space. We were able to show the interrelation of the backscattering coefficient of the suspended particles and the sea surface temperature.