A study on cyclone induced productivity in south-western Bay of Bengal during November-December 2000 using MODIS (SST and chlorophyll-a)

Abstract

MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on board TERRA weekly composite mean products of sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll-a, and modeled ocean net primary productivity with a spatial resolution of 4.63 km and altimeter derived sea surface height (SSH) data are used to study the changes in the primary productivity (PP) induced by the November-December 2000 tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. A maximum SST drop of 2ºC, a sea surface depression of 10 cm compared to the periphery, increase in chlorophyll-a by 1.5 mg/m³ and enhanced average mixed PP of 964 gC/m²/y were observed around 11.0ºN and 81.0ºE after the passage of the cyclonic storm. The enhanced PP after the passage of the cyclone supports the base of the pelagic marine food web, directly affecting the fishery productivity.