Estimation method for vertical distribution of phytoplankton using monitoring data at the western equatorial Pacific Ocean

Abstract

In order to clarify the oceans role in the overall geochemical cycle of CO2, getting to know a vertical concentration of phytoplankton is very important. The authors measured the vertical distribution of chlorophyll a in the western equatorial Pacific Ocean during the Research Vessel MIRAI cruse (MR01-K05, MR02-K06), and analyzed a number of data which were measured on the ship. The results show that the phytoplankton distribution has strong correlation with mixed layer depth and compensation depth. Using the CTD and ADCP data, the estimated model for the change of chlorophyll distribution is constructed.