Variation of Surface Chlorophyll-a and its Teleconnection to the Climatological Factors in the Bay of Bengal

Author: Md Masud-Ul-Alam, Mohammad Azharul Islam, S. M. Mustafizur Rahman, Md. Ashif Imam Khan, Md. Alamgir Hossain, Khan Mohammad Ibtehal, Adiba Mosharraf
DOI: doi.org/10.70279/bmj-v7-i1-1053
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The Bay of Bengal (BoB), a subtropical basin in the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, is one of the Largest Marine Ecosystems (LME). It occupies 8% and 12% of mangroves and coral reefs respectively, as well as it provides 6 million tons of fisheries production annually that valuing 4 billion USD. Parameters like Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Mixed Layer Depth (MLD), Sea Level Anomaly (SLA), and Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) are predominant and showed present trends of all the parameters interpreting the correlation with El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). It is found that the southeastern part of the bay is comparatively more ecologically healthy and productive compared to others due to the influences of East Indian Coastal Current (EICC) other parameters as well. MLD and Chl-a concentration have also been affected by the change in climate over recent years. Furthermore, the impact of El-Nino and La-Nina was significant all over the BoB, though there could be more factors responsible for affecting BoB. In all of the analyses according to monthly and yearly observation, a significant changing pattern has been shown in SST, SLA, MLD, and Chl-a from 1997 to 2020. As it is the home of thousands of species and the source of livelihood for 4.5 million people, its importance can’t be denied. Therefore, for a sustainable ecosystem and to conserve the LME, we should have a cumulative effort on restoring a healthy climate by reducing pollution and carbon emissions.