Decadal climate variability of chlorophyll-a in response to different oceanic factors in the Western Indian ocean: the sea of oman.

The Arabian Sea, notably the Sea of Oman, has exhibited a gradual warming trend since the twentieth century, expected to persist in the future, necessitating a climatological assessment for potential environmental disaster mitigation. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis using satellite-derived data on sea surface temperature (SST), Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), sea level anomaly (SLA), and wind stress curl (WSC) to understand the region's climate dynamics. Phytoplankton (Chlorophyll-a) in the Sea of Oman plays a vital role in the ocean ecosystem, serving as primary producers and oxygen suppliers by fixing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Over the past four decade, the average Chl-a in the Sea of Oman was 3.06 mg/m3, with elevated levels (> 5.5 mg/m3) observed along coastal regions, peaking in summer and declining in winter. Over four decades, SST has risen by 0.658 °C on average, with the highest gradient magnitude observed along the coast. SLA has steadily increased exceeding 0.722 cm over the entire period (1993–2021). WSC shows seasonal variations, with high values (> 1 N/m2) in July and August and slightly lower values in winter. Furthermore, significant correlations between ocean variables and major climatic oscillations such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), El Nino-3.4 (Nino3.4), and the Dipole Mode Index (DMI) are identified, highlighting the intricate interplay shaping the Arabian Sea's ecosystem and providing critical insights for effective environmental management strategies. Implement integrated monitoring and adaptive management strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate variability on the Sea of Oman marine ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]