Articles | Volume 23, issue 16
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-5827-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-5827-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Projected Effects of Climate-induced Changes in Phytoplankton biomass in the Southern South China Sea
Chathumini W. Kiel
Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, 21030, Malaysia
Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Systèmes Aquatiques, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, 1050, Belgium
Kanchana Bandara
Akvaplan-niva, Fram Centre, Tromsø, 9296, Norway
Roswati Md Amin
Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, 21030, Malaysia
Nathalie Gypens
Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Systèmes Aquatiques, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, 1050, Belgium
Mohd Fadzil Mohd Akhir
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, 21030, Malaysia
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This study stands out for thoroughly examining CMIP6 ESMs' ability to simulate biogeochemical variables in the southern South China Sea, an economically important region. It assesses variables like chlorophyll, phytoplankton, nitrate, and oxygen on annual and seasonal scales. While global assessments exist, this study addresses a gap by objectively ranking 13 CMIP6 ocean biogeochemistry models' performance at a regional level, focusing on replicating specific observed biogeochemical variables.
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Short summary
Phytoplankton are tiny organisms that support marine life and influence the planet’s climate. Using a computer model, we studied how future climate change may affect them in the southern South China Sea. We found that warmer waters and reduced nutrient availability could lower phytoplankton growth, potentially reducing food sources for bigger marine creatures and impacting fisheries and coastal communities in the region.
Phytoplankton are tiny organisms that support marine life and influence the planet’s climate....
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