Variability of the Sea Surface Temperature Around Cuba

Space and time variability of sea surface temperature in oceanic and shelf waters of Cuba were examined using the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensors flown on satellites operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from February 1995 to August 2001. Statistics at 90 specific time series stations around Cuba were extracted from the AVHRR images to characterize shelf and oceanic waters using the long-term overall mean, minimum, and maximum sea surface temperature (SST) values. Shelf and oceanic waters reached SST maxima (29.5-30.5°C) in August. Waters off southern and western Cuba reached slightly higher temperatures than those off the northeast in the Old Bahamas Channel; waters along the northern coast of Cuba were about 1°C cooler on average than those along the southern coast. Oceanic waters around Cuba experienced minima (24.5-25.5°C) in February-March, about a month after shelf waters. Only minor regional differences in maximum temperatures were observed in shelf areas. Shelf regions around Cuba have lower annual average SSTs than adjacent oceanic waters, and the range of monthly average SST of shelf waters exceeded that of oceanic waters by 3°C, with the largest differences observed during winter. Shelf waters also cooled down at \u3e0.04°C/d, or twice as fast as oceanic waters (0.02°C/d) by action of sensible heat and evaporative losses. Shelf waters also warmed up at rates exceeding 0.06°C/d, which was two to three times faster than oceanic waters (0.02-0.03°C/d). SST anomalies were slightly positive between February 1995 and February 1999 and slightly negative from October 1999 to August 2001. In summer of 1995, 1997, and 1998, coral bleaching was observed in northern and southern reefs of Cuba. Summer anomalies \u3e1°C occurred in May 1995 and August 1997, which may have contributed to the coral bleaching

Carbono orgánico nuevo frente a la Península de Baja California: series de tiempo y climatología

Time series of new phytoplankton production (Pnew) off Baja California from 1970 to 2008 computed using statistical models of temperature-nitrate relationship in ten groups of coastal and oceanic stations (Lines 90, 107, 120, 137 and 157) of the CalCOFI-IMECOCAL network, are presented. Pnew was calculated from the -ratio and total primary production (Ptotal). Spatially, the most productive areas of the region were Lines 90, 120 and 157. Pnew of lines 107 and 137 had relatively low values. These two lines marked the border between the northern and southern areas of the studied region. Seasonally, Pnew was high in the spring-summer transition, decreased in summer and autumn, and increased in winter. Pnew was related to coastal upwelling index, and we conclude that for an index of less than 200 m3/s/100 m, Pnew increases and its maximum occurs in phase with the coastal upwelling index. For an upwelling index greater than200 m3/s/100 m Pnew decreases and both series are out of phase.Se presenta la serie de tiempo de la producción fitoplanctónica nueva (Pnueva) frente a la Península de Baja California de 1970 a 2008, calculada por modelos estadísticos de la relación temperatura-nitrato en diez grupos de estaciones costeras y oceánicas de las Líneas 90, 107, 120, 137 y 157 de la red CalCOFI-IMECOCAL. La Pnueva se calculó a partir de la razón- y la producción primaria total (Ptotal). Espacialmente las zonas más productivas fueron las oceánicas de las Líneas 90, 120 y 157. La Pnueva en las Líneas 107 y 137 presentó valores bajos y se comportó como un parte-aguas entre las regiones norte y sur. Estacionalmente la Pnueva fue alta en la transición primavera-verano; disminuyó en el verano y el otoño, con aumento en invierno. La Pnueva se relacionó con el índice de surgencias costeras y se concluye que para un índice de surgencias costeras menor a 200 m3/s/100 m, la Pnueva aumenta y el máximo se produce en el mismo período que las surgencias costeras. Para un índice superior a 200 m3/s/100 m la Pnueva disminuye y ambas series se desfasan temporalmente

Ordenamiento Ecológico Marino en el Pacífico Norte mexicano: propuesta metodológica

The dynamic oceanic and coastal regionalization of the Mexican North Pacific in front of the Baja California Peninsula was proposed based on a temperature and new primary production model (Pnew). Pnew was calculated based on temperature AVHRR images; SeaWiFS chlorophyll and PAR sensor and total phytoplankton production (PPz) and the reason for each depthfz multiplied. Monthly temperature maps and Pnew were done for different depths: 0, 10, 30, 50, 75 and 100 m. This is the first marine regionalization using the concept of territorial regionalization. The results show the oceanographic dynamic in front of the Baja California Peninsula; this varied from the coast to the ocean in a latitudinal manner. For the regionalization of the Mexican North Pacific, nine Environmental Management Units (EMU) are being proposed: three oceanic and six coastal. The oceanic EMU VIII and the neighboring coastal areas IV and V are considered transition zones between the northern (subarctic waters) and the southern (tropical waters) conditions. In particular, the region of Isla Navidad stands out as the division between the cold northern waters and the warm waters to the south. In the spring, the effect of the coastal upwellings of the EMUs I and II is visible from the surface up to 100 m, with eutrophic zones in the coastal EMUs IV and V at 30-50m. In the fall, the area of study is oligotrophic.Se propone una regionalización oceánica y costera dinámica del Pacífico Norte mexicano frente a la Península de Baja California a partir de un modelo de temperatura y producción primaria nueva (Pnueva). La Pnueva se calculó con base en imágenes de temperatura del AVHRR; clorofila y PAR del sensor SaeWiFS y se multiplicó por la producción fitoplanctónica total (PPZ) y la razón-fz para cada profundidad. Se confeccionaron mapas mensuales de temperatura y Pnueva para profundidades de 0, 10, 30, 50, 75 y 100 m. Esta es la primera regionalización marina con el concepto de regionalización territorial. Los resultados muestran la dinámica oceanográfica frente a la Península de Baja California; ésta varió de lacosta al océano y de forma latitudinal. Para la regionalización del Pacífico Norte mexicano, se propone nueve Unidades de Gestión Ambiental (UGA): tres oceánicas y seis costeras. La UGA oceánica VIII y las vecinas costeras IV y V son consideradas zona de transición entre las condiciones norteñas (agua subártica) y las sureñas (agua subtropical). En particular, la región de Isla Navidad se destaca como divisoria entre el agua fría al norte y cálida al sur. En primavera, el efecto de las surgencias costeras de las UGAs I y II se distingue desde la superficie hasta 100 m, con zonas eutróficas en las UGAS costeras IV y V en 30-50 m. En otoño el área de estudio es oligotrófica