Seasonal Variability and Estimation of Annual East Siberian Sea Phytoplankton Primary Production and Comparison with the Other Siberian Seas

Abstract

Studies of seasonal variability of the East Siberian Sea (ESS) water column primary production (IPP) and evaluation of its total annual value (PPtot) were performed using MODIS-Aqua data (2002–2018). Region-specific primary production and chlorophyll algorithms were used for the first time to achieve that result. Northeastern and Southwestern regions were distinguished in ESS based on multiyear average daily primary production. Seasonal variations in IPP in the Northeastern region were characterized by the maximum in June (273 mgC m–2 d–1). The maximum of water column primary production value in the Southwestern region was recorded in May (311 mgC m–2 d–1). The maximum of IPP for the entire ESS was registered in June (273 mgC m–2 d–1). Values of daily primary production and PPtot in the Southwestern region were, respectively, 1.8 and 2 fold higher than in the Northeastern region. The multiyear averaged value of ESS IPP was equal to 91 mgC m–2 d–1 and PPtot value was equal to 9 TgC. Productivity of the Siberian seas decreased eastward.