1539 / 2024-09-27 22:50:12

Ocean’s largest chlorophyll-rich tongue is extending westward in 2002-2022

Chlorophyll-rich tongue,equatorial upwelling,the Pacific Decadal Oscillation

Upwelling in the Equatorial Pacific nurtures an expansive, westward-stretching chlorophyll-rich tongue (CRT), supporting 18% of the annual global new production. Surrounding the CRT are the oligotrophic subtropical gyres to the north and south, which are suggested to be expanding under global warming. Yet, how this productive CRT has changed, expanding or contracting, remains unknown. By applying the empirical mode decomposition method to 20-year monthly measurements of chlorophyll concentration from MODIS-Aqua (2002-2022), a significant westward extension of the CRT is found, with its area expanding at a rate of 1.87 (± 0.82) × 10⁵ km²/yr. The westward extension of the CRT is attributed to strengthened equatorial upwelling and a strengthened Southern Equatorial Current from 2002 to 2022, driven by intensified easterly trade winds as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation predominantly remains in its negative phase during this period. Our findings imply a broader cover of productive water along the equator, while its impact on tropical climate, ecosystems, and carbon cycle deserves further investigation.