Monsoon changes impact marine productivity in Bay of Bengal: research

“Monsoons Influence Marine Productivity in Bay of Bengal”

• A study on Indian summer monsoon fluctuations over the past 22,000 years found that strong and weak monsoons can affect marine productivity in the Bay of Bengal.

• Marine productivity is a proxy for growth of plankton, the main source of nourishment for aquatic life.

• The study, published in Nature Geoscience, gathered scientists from India, China, Europe, and the United States.

• The research reconstructed long-term changes in rainfall, ocean temperatures, and marine life in the Bay of Bengal.

• The Bay of Bengal accounts for nearly 8% of global fishery production, and its nutrient-rich coastal waters are vital to densely populated communities.

• The study found that both strong and weak monsoons have caused major disruptions in ocean mixing, leading to a 50% reduction in food for marine life in the surface waters.