The variability of chlorophyll-a and its relationship with dynamic factors in the basin of the South China Sea

Satellite observations from 2002 to 2017 were used to investigate the spatial distribution and temporal variability of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) in the South China Sea (SCS). High levels of Chl-a were mostly found near the coasts of China and Vietnam, with a significantly long-term increasing trend. Large seasonal variability was found in the northern SCS and southeast of Vietnam. The Chl-a levels reached the maximum in winter and minimum in summer...