The effect of frontal features on chlorophyll concentration within the Kuroshio

Senior thesis written for Oceanography 445

[author abstract] Physical features in the ocean created by winds and currents affect the productivity of the surrounding area. Frontal disturbances and upwelling eddies that draw nutrients up from deep water sustain higher levels of chlorophyll concentration, which can be used as a proxy to estimate the rate of carbon production. The Kuroshio is a northerly flowing western boundary current that flows off the coast of Japan. Chlorophyll and nitrate concentrations were measured down to 300 m from sample bottles at stations along a cruise track from 29° N, 145° E to 41° N, 150° E from 25 February to 17 March 2013. Continuous surface measurements of chlorophyll, nitrate, and sea surface temperature (SST) were observed, along with satellite images of SST and sea surface height (SSH). Chlorophyll concentrations were increased within this specific area due to the physical processes that increased stratification and raised nutrient rich waters from depth.

University of Washington School of Oceanography