Dynamic causes contribute to the increasing trend of red tides in the east China sea during 2020-2022

Yu Gao; Peng Hao; Zilu Wei; Shuang Li; Jinbao Song; Chengcheng Yu

doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106521

Dynamic causes contribute to the increasing trend of red tides in the east China sea during 2020-2022

Mar Environ Res. 2024 Apr 23:198:106521. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106521. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yu Gao¹, Peng Hao¹, Zilu Wei¹, Shuang Li², Jinbao Song¹, Chengcheng Yu³

Affiliations

¹ Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan City, 316021, PR China.
² Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan City, 316021, PR China. Electronic address: lshuang@zju.edu.cn.
³ Marine Science and Technology College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan City, 316004, PR China.

PMID: 38678753
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106521

Abstract

Red tide is a marine phenomenon caused by the excessive growth of microscopic algae in the ocean. This study aims to analyze the development trends of red tides in the past 20 years and the dynamic external causes that induce red tides based on existing satellite remote sensing and numerical simulation data. And the changes in dominant species of red tides in different seasons are analyzed. The results show significant temperature fluctuations within the week before the red tide occurs, with an average increase of 1.42 °C. In contrast, the change in salinity is relatively small. Meanwhile, ocean fronts are areas in the ocean where different water masses meet and form boundaries. The average strength of ocean fronts increased by 3.7%, indicating enhanced ocean mixing over a short period of time. Under the combined influence of these factors, the probability of a red tide outbreak in the East China Sea increases rapidly. Therefore, this study has important reference value for further research on the causes of red tides and their response to ocean dynamic changes.

Keywords: East China sea; Ocean front; Red tide; Temperature.