Introduction
- Source: Study published in Nature Geoscience, led by scientists from India, China, Europe, and the U.S., including researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Rutgers University.
- The Indian Summer Monsoon significantly influences marine productivity in the Bay of Bengal (BoB).
- The study reconstructs 22,000 years of monsoon variability and its link with plankton growth, a key indicator of marine ecosystem health.
- BoB, despite covering <1% of global ocean area, contributes nearly 8% to global fishery production.
Relevance : GS3 (Environment ,Food Security and Climate Change)
Key Findings of the Study
- Marine Productivity Fluctuates with Monsoon Intensity:
- Both strong and weak monsoon events disrupt vertical ocean mixing.
- Result: Up to 50% reduction in plankton food availability in surface waters.
- Mechanism of Disruption:
- Monsoon extremes hamper nutrient upwelling from deeper ocean layers.
- This affects phytoplankton, which forms the base of the marine food web.
- Historical Climate Evidence:
- Marine sediments were chemically analysed to reconstruct past ocean temperatures, monsoon strength, and biological productivity.
- Climate Models and Modern Parallels:
- Present-day observations show alarming similarities with past extreme disruptions.
- Suggests human-induced climate change could destabilise BoB’s marine ecosystem in the coming decades.
Socio-Economic & Ecological Implications
- Food Security Threat:
- Millions living along BoB coasts depend on fisheries for protein and livelihood.
- Productivity decline could severely impact coastal economies and nutrition security.
- High Output, High Vulnerability:
- BoB’s disproportionate share in global fisheries makes it uniquely productive yet fragil
