Seasonal variability and annual Laptev sea phytoplankton primary production using MODIS-aqua data

Abstract

Studies of seasonal variability of Laptev Sea water column primary production and evaluation of its annual values were performed using MODIS-Aqua data (20022018). To reach that result regional-specific primary production and chlorophyll algorithms were used for the first time. Based on multiyear averaged daily primary production Northwestern and Southeastern regions were distinguished in the Laptev Sea. Seasonal variations in water column primary production in the Northwestern region were characterized by the maximum in June (245 mgC m‑2 d‑1). In the Southeastern region and for all Laptev Sea the maximum water column primary production values were denoted from May to July, 273282 mgC m‑2 d‑1 and 256281 mgC m‑2 d‑1, respectively. Daily primary production and annual values of total primary production in the Southeastern region were, respectively, 1.9 and 3 fold higher than in the Northwestern region. Multiyear averaged value of Laptev Sea water column primary production was equal to 125 mgC m‑2 d‑1 and total annual primary production was equal to 8 1012 gC.