Drift characteristics of green macroalgae in the Yellow Sea in 2008 and 2010

In order to investigate the aggregation mechanism of green macroalgae (Enteromorpha prolifera) on the Qingdao coastline, the macroalgal drift characteristics in the Yellow Sea during June and July in 2008 and 2010 were simulated using a three-dimensional wave-tide-circulation coupled model. In June 2008, the monthly-mean surface current flowed onshore and its direction was almost perpendicular to the Qingdao coastline, which was identified as the main reason for a huge accumulation of algae in the coastal waters off Qingdao. The current became parallel to the coastline in July 2008; this shift in current direction led to little accumulation of algae near Qingdao and thus relieved the environmental pressure on the Olympic sailing events. By using the coupled model, we predicted that there would be no serious algal accumulation at Qingdao in late June 2010, which was later confirmed by observations. This study demonstrated that the drift path of macroalgae near Qingdao is mainly controlled by the surface current, which is primarily driven by wind. Regional climate change is therefore one of the means by which physical processes affect marine ecosystems.

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