 |
Datatake ERS-2 SAR June 09, 2000 North-West Pacific Okhotsk Sea Comment The image covers the Amursky Liman (at the bottom) and the Sakhalin Bay. The plume formed by the Amur River fresh water discharge has salinity of 4-25 psu and occupies the upper 6-10-m layer. The appearance of the dark features at the upper right part of the image is likely due to spring plankton bloom. Increased concentration of biogenic films produces slicks on the sea surface which damps the small-scale sea surface roughness. The slicks trace cyclonic eddies of the size of 8-10 km within the river plume. Suspended materials in the near shore plume waters absorb sun radiation and decrease plankton development. At larger distances, the amount of suspended materials drops and nutrients in the plume waters cause the increase in chlorophyll-a concentration. Supplementary data NOAA AVHRR image (channel 4, June 9, 2000 at 06:54) Daily chlorophyll-a concentration (SeaWiFS, June 9, 2000) Image intensity profiles A and B Image |
image collection >> physical phenomena >> river plumes