U.S. Continental Shelf Oceanography

In some areas such as the coastal waters off New Jersey, summer upwelling is an important process which can stimulate phytoplankton production by bringing up cold water rich in nutrients such as nitrate from depth into the euphotic layer and stimulating new primary production. (See animation below) During some years it appears that extensive summer blooms of phytoplankton are responding to these upwelling events.

Click image to play.

Evidence for summer upwelling events in the Mid-Atlantic as indicated by occurrences of colder water (greener colors in nearshore waters shown in right panel). Left panel shows chlorophyll concentrations at the same points in time.

For more information, links and video visit:
Ecology of the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf website.

Satellite image of sea surface temperature on the NES LME during winter conditions showing cold water influences in nearshore regions and the complex structure of the Gulf Stream. NEFSC graphic