Downwelling correlations of chlorophyll-a concentrations off the North Carolina coast
“Correlating Satellite Observations of Chlorophyll-a with Coastal Upwelling Events Off the North Carolina Coast”
ABSTRACT. The movement of warm surface waters away from the coast which result in the rising of deep cold waters to shallow depths describes the oceanic process of coastal upwelling. As the cold waters rise to surface level, vital nutrients that are necessary to sustain large abundant sea life are replenished. Although there are environmentally enriching effects of upwellings, there are also adverse effects including increased rates of organic consumption and decay. There is evidence of direct correlation between cold waters and increased levels of Chlorophyll-a concentrations that occur as a result of upwellings. This research will build on this existing correlation by focusing on the after effects, or downwelling period, when off-shore harmful toxins that have had the opportunity to vastly multiply, return to shore with the warm waters and the left over supply of nutrients from the upwelling. This mixture of the nutrients and the toxins results in the formation of harmful algal blooms.