Authors

Chin-Chang Hung, Institute of Marine Geology and Chemistry, and Asia-Pacific Ocean Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University; Institute of Marine Environmental Chemistry and Ecology, National Taiwan Ocean University
Chih-Ching Chung, Institute of Marine Environmental Chemistry and Ecology, National Taiwan Ocean University
Gwo-Ching Gong, Institute of Marine Environmental Chemistry and Ecology, National Taiwan Ocean University; Center of Excellence for Marine Bioenvironment and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University; Taiwan Ocean Research Institute, National Applied Research Laboratories
Sen Jan, Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University
Yaling Tsai, Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University
Kuo-Shu Chen, Institute of Marine Geology and Chemistry, and Asia-Pacific Ocean Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University
Wen Chen Chou, Institute of Marine Environmental Chemistry and Ecology, National Taiwan Ocean University
Ming-An Lee, Department of Environmental Biology and Fisheries Science, National Taiwan Ocean University
Yi Chang, Institute of Ocean Technology and Marine Affairs, National Cheng Kung University
Meng-Hsien Chen, Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University
Wen-Rong Yang, Taiwan Ocean Research Institute, National Applied Research Laboratories
Chiung-Jung Tseng, Taiwan Ocean Research Institute, National Applied Research Laboratories
Glen Gawarkiewicz, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Abstract

Recent studies show that typhoons have profound effects on phytoplankton assemblages along their tracks, but it is difficult to quantitatively estimate nutrient supply after a typhoon's passage due to a lack of nutrient information before and after the arrival of a typhoon. During the passage of Typhoon Morakot (July 22 to Aug. 26, 2009), we conducted pre- and post-typhoon field cruises to study nutrient supply in the Southern East China Sea (SECS). The results showed nitrate and phosphate supplies to the water column in the SECS after the typhoon's passage were 5.6 × 1011 g-N/day and 7.8 × 1010 g-P/day which were significantly higher than those before the typhoon occurred (nitrate supply = 1 × 109 g-N/day, phosphate supply = 1.6 × 108 g-P/day). We conclude from this data, and after consulting the available physical data, that the highest nitrate concentration was caused by strong upwelling and/or vertical mixing, and input of nutrient-replete terrestrial waters. The nitrate and phosphate input related to the passage of Typhoon Morakot can account for approximately 86% and 87% of summer nitrate and phosphate supplies to the southern East China Sea.

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