Ocean colour remote sensing-bay of Bengal during north east monsoon

Abstract

Ocean colour in the Bay of Bengal is studied during North East monsoon using SeaWiFS data from on board Sea Star satellite. Chlorophyll- a, the major biological oceanographic parameter in the upper ocean layer of the Bay can be derived from SeaWiFS data. Composite maps reveal spatial and temporal distribution pattern of chlorophyll - a in the mid of the bay as well as eastern ocean waters in Sri Lanka. Processed chlorophyll - a data is represented as monthly composite maps which is 4 km spatial resolution. The studied data falls in to the North East monsoon and first inter monsoon. Data studied here is from 1993 to 2003. Temporal and spatial variability of chlorophyll concentrations at selected locations in the Bay of Bengal is studied. In general, higher chlorophyll concentration of around 0.5 mg/m³ can be seen during the month of December. The coastal water appears to have higher chlorophyll concentrations at all times. The mid area of the Bay seems to have lower concentration.