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On the potential of an RST-based analysis of the MODIS-derived chl-a product over Condor seamount and surrounding areas (Azores, NE Atlantic)

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Abstract

Oceanographic cruises have been conducted on the Condor seamount (SW Faial Island, Azores archipelago, NE Atlantic) since 2009 to collect in situ data and understand potential seamount effects on local biodiversity. Satellite data have been concurrently collected to infer the space-time upper-ocean optical property variability and the associated physical processes. The main limitation of this analysis is the persistent and significant cloud coverage above the region that, especially in some seasons, can significantly hinder satellite data availability. This study was meant to test the robust satellite technique (RST) over the Condor seamount, assess its capability to estimate multiyear trends and identify space-time anomalies. To this aim, 11-year MODIS/AQUA level 2-derived chlorophyll-a (chl-a) data were used. Results achieved for October 2010 show, within a large-scale analysis, the presence of well-defined areas of near-surface chl-a anomalies, highlighting the occurrence of a trapping effect due to flow-topography interaction processes. Regarding the Condor area, the chl-a anomalies detected along the eastern side of the seamount were linked to a strong vertical mixing that provided sufficient inorganic nutrients requested for productivity. The achieved results, whose accuracy was also tested through a comparison with in situ data, are consistent with those independently obtained by other authors who described the phytoplankton variability around the Condor seamount. This study shows the high potential of the RST approach to assess the chl-a variability in the space-time domain in oligotrophic regions such as the Azores, allowing the identification of the most important areas to be preserved and/or managed.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to strongly acknowledge the scientific and technical staff of the Oceanography Section in the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of the Azores (DOP/UAç), as well as the captain, crew and scientific staff at R/V “Arquipélago” for the assistance in collecting the in situ oceanographic data.

The results of the work were partially obtained under the CONDOR project (PT0040), supported by the EEA grants Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and under the CIMBA project, supported by the Regional Directory for Science and Technology. We would also like to thank the Ph.D. FRCT Fellowship Grant reference: M3.1.2/F/063/2011 for Clara Loureiro.

This work was performed during the staying of Dr. Emanuele Ciancia at Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of the Azores (DOP/UAç) as Ph.D. visiting researcher, in the framework of the OP-ERDF IOSMOS (IOnian Sea water quality MOnitoring by Satellite data) project, co-funded by Basilicata Region in collaboration with the Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis, the University of Basilicata, and the Technological Educational Institute of Crete.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy

    Emanuele Ciancia, Irina Coviello, Carmine Di Polito, Teodosio Lacava, Nicola Pergola, Valeria Satriano & Valerio Tramutoli

  2. Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, University of the Azores, Rua Professor Doutor Frederico Machado, 9901-862, Horta, Azores, Portugal

    Clara Magalhães Loureiro & Ana Martins

  3. CIBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO Associated Laboratory, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, Rua Professor Doutor Frederico Machado, 9901-862, Horta, Azores, Portugal

    Clara Magalhães Loureiro & Ana Martins

  4. Direção Regional das Pescas dos Açores, Secretaria Regional do Mar, Ciência e Tecnologia Colónia Alemã, 9901-862, Horta, Azores, Portugal

    Ana Mendonça

  5. Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis, National Research Council, Tito Scalo, PZ, Italy

    Carmine Di Polito, Teodosio Lacava, Nicola Pergola & Valerio Tramutoli

  6. Center for Research and Development OKEANUS—University of the Azores, Rua Professor Doutor Frederico Machado, 9901-862, Horta, Azores, Portugal

    Ana Martins

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  1. Emanuele Ciancia
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  2. Clara Magalhães Loureiro
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  3. Ana Mendonça
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  4. Irina Coviello
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  5. Carmine Di Polito
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  6. Teodosio Lacava
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  7. Nicola Pergola
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  8. Valeria Satriano
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  9. Valerio Tramutoli
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  10. Ana Martins
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Correspondence to Emanuele Ciancia.

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Responsible Editor: Yajing Yan

This article is part of the Topical Collection on the 47th International Liège Colloquium on Ocean Dynamics, Liège, Belgium, 4–8 May 2015

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Ciancia, E., Magalhães Loureiro, C., Mendonça, A. et al. On the potential of an RST-based analysis of the MODIS-derived chl-a product over Condor seamount and surrounding areas (Azores, NE Atlantic). Ocean Dynamics 66, 1165–1180 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-016-0972-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-016-0972-9

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