Seasonal behavior of the ocean color and its correlation with the physical environment in the West Indian Ocean

The paper is devoted to study the seasonal behavior of the sea surface pigments concentration in the area of the West Indian Ocean. The analysis is based on the SeaWiFS images acquired at the Broglio Space Centre (BSC, Kenya coast, 40° E, 3° S) since June 2000. The L-band system used for acquiring SeaWiFS images is also used for the acquisition of NOAA images that allow the estimate of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and the retrieval of other physical parameters (ATOVS) useful for a better understanding of the phytoplankton cycles. SST estimate from AVHRR data is based on an algorithm developed at CRPSM. Information on atmosphere conditions in the region of interest are obtained from ATOVS data using a processing scheme of the AAPP-ICI tool adapted to the Malindi station. The accuracy of these data is checked and improved using “in situ” periodic balloon-based atmospheric profiles. The combination of ocean color data from SeaWIFS with the oceanographic satellite-derived available data allows a better description of the phytoplankton cycle and, possibly of the ocean productivity.