West Coast of Africa
January 16, 2006
The first MERIS observation captured the huge phytoplankton patch produced by the "upwelling" mechanism along the west coast of Africa near Mauritania. The unprecedented resolution allows fine-scale structures to be detected. In such upwelling areas, northeast trade winds bring deep and nutrient-rich water to the surface, feeding phytoplankton. Changes in climate affect the intensity of the upwelling with important consequences for marine ecosystems, fisheries and local economies. One important task for MERIS is to provide overviews of the dynamics of upwelling areas and their primary production. This, in turn, could improve management of fish stocks within sustainable limits. Another important task for MERIS is to provide information on carbon fixation through photosynthesis within the global ocean for a better understanding of the carbon cycle.
Technical Information:
Technical Information:
- Satellite: Envisat
- Instrument: MERIS
- Acquisition: 22-Mar-2002
- Orbit nr: 00306
- Center coordinates: lat. 16.00, lon. -17.50
Topics:
Environment, Oceanography, Biological oceanography, Aquatic ecology, Carbon cycle, Envisat, Plankton, Primary production, Phytoplankton, MERIS, Upwelling, Geochemistry, Chemical oceanography, West Coast, Africa, Mauritania
