• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.421-437
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• 2010

Surface particulate organic carbon (POC) concentration estimated from Maximum Normalized Difference Carbon Index (MNDCI) algorithm using SeaWiFS data is used to determine spatial and temporal variations of the Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW) in the East China Sea. 10-year monthly POC concentrations (1997-2007) show clearly seasonal variations. Inter-annual variation of POC in whole and three different areas separated by standard deviation is not linearly correlated with the Changjiang River discharge that has decreased after 1998. To determine more detailed spatial and temporal POC variations, we used empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis in summer (Jun.-Sep.) from 2000 to 2007. First mode is spatially and temporally correlated with the area influenced by the Changjiang River discharge. Second mode is temporally less sensitive with the Changjiang River discharge but spatially correlated with north-south patterns. Relatively higher POC variations during 2000 and 2003 were shown in the southern East China Sea. These patterns during 2004 and 2007 moved to the northern East China Sea. This phenomenon is better related to spatial variations of wind-direction than the amount of Changjiang River discharge, which is verified from in-situ measurement.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.235-258
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate climatological variations from the temporal and spatial surface particulate organic carbon (POC) estimates based on SeaWiFS spectral radiance, and to determine the physical mechanisms that affect the distribution of pac in the Gulf of Mexico. 7-year monthly mean values of surface pac concentration (Sept. 1997 - Dec. 2004) were estimated from Maximum Normalized Difference Carbon Index (MNDCI) algorithm using SeaWiFS data. Synchronous 7-year monthly mean values of remote sensing data (sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface wind (SSW), sea surface height anomaly (SSHA), precipitation rate (PR)) and recorded river discharge data were used to determine physical forcing factors. The spatial pattern of POC was related to one or more factors such as river runoff, wind-derived current, and stratification of the water column, the energetic Loop Current/Eddies, and buoyancy forcing. The observed seasonal change in the POC plume's response to wind speed in the western delta region resulted from seasonal changes in the upper ocean stratification. During late spring and summer, the low-density river water is heated rapidly at the surface by incoming solar radiation. This lowers the density of the fresh-water plume and increases the near-surface stratification of the water column. In the absence of significant wind forcing, the plume undergoes buoyant spreading and the sediment is maintained at the surface by the shallow pycnocline. However, when the wind speed increases substantially, wind-wave action increases vertical motion, reducing stratification, and the sediment were mixed downward rather than spreading laterally. Maximum particle concentrations over the outer shelf and the upper slope during lower runoff seasons were related to the Loop Current/eddies and buoyancy forcing. Inter-annual differences of POC concentration were related to ENSO cycles. During the El Nino events (1997-1998 and 2002-2004), the higher pac concentrations existed and were related to high runoffs in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, but the opposite conditions in the western Gulf of Mexico. During La Nina conditions (1999-2001), low Poe concentration was related to normal or low river discharge, and low PM/nutrient waters in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, but the opposite conditions in the western Gulf of Mexico.