Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3406
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3406
11 Nov 2024
 | 11 Nov 2024

Two different phytoplankton blooming mechanisms over the East China Sea during El-Niño decaying summers

Dong-Geon Lee, Ji-Hoon Oh, Jonghun Kam, and Jong-Seong Kug

Abstract. During an El Niño-decaying summer, the East China Sea (ECS) has experienced anomalous phytoplankton blooming, but the understanding of associated generating mechanisms remains limited. Here, we analyzed observational (25 years) and long-term simulation data (1,000 years) to investigate the underlying mechanisms for the anomalous phytoplankton blooming in ECS. Results highlight two mechanisms associated with enhanced phytoplankton blooming in ECS during El Niño-decaying summers: inland runoff-driven and oceanic sub-surface upwelling-driven blooming mechanisms. Firstly, increased river discharge from the Yangtze River (YR) induces phytoplankton blooms. Secondly, wind-driven Ekman upwelling in ECS provides nutrients for phytoplankton from the sub-surface to the surface water layer. Rossby wave propagations from Western North Pacific Anti-Cyclone (WNPAC) cause a distinctive cyclonic atmospheric circulation over ECS that induces Ekman upwelling. The climate model simulation supports these two mechanisms, and thus our results suggest that both mechanisms contribute to the phytoplankton bloom concurrently.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

03 Jul 2025
Phytoplankton blooming mechanisms over the East China Sea during post-El Niño summers
Dong-Geon Lee, Ji-Hoon Oh, Jonghun Kam, and Jong-Seong Kug
Biogeosciences, 22, 3165–3180, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3165-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3165-2025, 2025
Short summary
Dong-Geon Lee, Ji-Hoon Oh, Jonghun Kam, and Jong-Seong Kug

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3406', Anonymous Referee #1, 16 Nov 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3406', Anonymous Referee #2, 02 Dec 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3406', Anonymous Referee #3, 02 Dec 2024
  • RC4: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3406', Anonymous Referee #2, 21 Dec 2024
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC4', Jong-Seong Kug, 01 Feb 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3406', Anonymous Referee #1, 16 Nov 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3406', Anonymous Referee #2, 02 Dec 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3406', Anonymous Referee #3, 02 Dec 2024
  • RC4: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3406', Anonymous Referee #2, 21 Dec 2024
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC4', Jong-Seong Kug, 01 Feb 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (03 Feb 2025) by Huixiang Xie
AR by Jong-Seong Kug on behalf of the Authors (28 Feb 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (01 Mar 2025) by Huixiang Xie
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (01 Mar 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (03 Mar 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (05 Mar 2025)
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (06 Mar 2025) by Huixiang Xie
AR by Jong-Seong Kug on behalf of the Authors (14 Mar 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (14 Mar 2025) by Huixiang Xie
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (19 Mar 2025)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (19 Mar 2025) by Huixiang Xie
AR by Jong-Seong Kug on behalf of the Authors (26 Mar 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (27 Mar 2025) by Huixiang Xie
AR by Jong-Seong Kug on behalf of the Authors (28 Mar 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (29 Mar 2025) by Huixiang Xie
AR by Jong-Seong Kug on behalf of the Authors (04 Apr 2025)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

03 Jul 2025
Phytoplankton blooming mechanisms over the East China Sea during post-El Niño summers
Dong-Geon Lee, Ji-Hoon Oh, Jonghun Kam, and Jong-Seong Kug
Biogeosciences, 22, 3165–3180, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3165-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3165-2025, 2025
Short summary
Dong-Geon Lee, Ji-Hoon Oh, Jonghun Kam, and Jong-Seong Kug
Dong-Geon Lee, Ji-Hoon Oh, Jonghun Kam, and Jong-Seong Kug

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Short summary
During El Niño decaying summers, the East China Sea (ECS) experiences intensified phytoplankton blooms. Here, we suggest two different mechanisms. Atmospheric teleconnection induces increased rainfall, which elevates nutrient-rich runoff into the ECS. Additionally, the cyclonic wind patterns promote upwelling, delivering subsurface nutrients to surface waters. These two mechanisms operate concurrently, fueling robust phytoplankton blooms.
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