Quasistationary areas of chlorophyll concentration in the world ocean as observed satellite data

To estimate the seasonal progress of the production process over the planet and its long-standing trend it is important to measure not only the spatial distributions of pigment that represent the rates of photosynthesis but also their time variability. Anthropogenic impact on natural complexes can be efficiently estimated by satellite observations of phytopigment dynamics. This study presents CZCS satellite data processed to reveal spatial inhomogeneity in the seasonal course of chlorophyll concentration in the world ocean on a global scale. Areas with quasistationary and non-stationary seasonal changes in chlorophyll concentration are revealed for the 7.5 years period of CZCS operation. Areas in the world ocean with maximum absolute and relative differences in chlorophyll concentration during different seasons were found. Results are illustrated with a chart of areas in the Atlantic Ocean discerned by dynamic parameters.