Effect of the Upwelling Current on the Vertical Chlorophyll Distribution in the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass

Based on the physicalecological coupling model, the seasonal variations of vertical chlorophyll distribution are modeled numerically. The physical model is a thermodynamic model for the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass, and the ecological model contains the variables of chlorophyll, nutrients and zooplankton. It is shown from the study results that the upwelling current in the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass has a significant effect on the vertical chlorophyll distribution structure in the upper ocean in summer, the position of the vertical chlorophyll maximum rises towards the sea surface, its maximum value increases, and the mean chlorophyll concentration in the mixing layer increases due to the effect of upwelling current in the summer season. It is shown from the comparison with the observed data that the modeling results considering the effect of upwelling current are more consistent with the observed data than those considering no effect of upwelling current.