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<p>Chlorophyll in phytoplankton modulates upper-ocean heating by absorbing shortwave radiation, thereby affecting climate systems. However, how chlorophyll influences multi-year La Niña evolution—a key aspect of El Niño–Southern Oscillation diversity—remains largely unexplored. Using a coupled ocean physics–biogeochemical model, we reveal that chlorophyll patterns markedly modulate the anomalous zonal sea surface temperature gradient across the equatorial Pacific. In the western-central equatorial Pacific, increased surface chlorophyll enhances meridional advection and vertical mixing, sustaining cooling into the second year by ~8%. Conversely, reduced chlorophyll in the eastern equatorial Pacific allows deeper shortwave penetration, warming the subsurface; this subsequently promotes surface warming by ~45% via background upwelling. Additionally, the subsurface chlorophyll maximum further enhances eastern equatorial Pacific cooling, helping sustain second-year La Niña conditions. These findings identify phytoplankton-driven bio-feedback as a previously unrecognized mechanism reshaping multi-year La Niña processes.</p>

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Phytoplankton-induced radiation effects reshape the evolution of multi-year La Niña

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月25日

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  • Feng Tian,
  • Rong-Hua Zhang,
  • Xiujun Wang,
  • Chuanyu Liu

摘要

Chlorophyll in phytoplankton modulates upper-ocean heating by absorbing shortwave radiation, thereby affecting climate systems. However, how chlorophyll influences multi-year La Niña evolution—a key aspect of El Niño–Southern Oscillation diversity—remains largely unexplored. Using a coupled ocean physics–biogeochemical model, we reveal that chlorophyll patterns markedly modulate the anomalous zonal sea surface temperature gradient across the equatorial Pacific. In the western-central equatorial Pacific, increased surface chlorophyll enhances meridional advection and vertical mixing, sustaining cooling into the second year by ~8%. Conversely, reduced chlorophyll in the eastern equatorial Pacific allows deeper shortwave penetration, warming the subsurface; this subsequently promotes surface warming by ~45% via background upwelling. Additionally, the subsurface chlorophyll maximum further enhances eastern equatorial Pacific cooling, helping sustain second-year La Niña conditions. These findings identify phytoplankton-driven bio-feedback as a previously unrecognized mechanism reshaping multi-year La Niña processes.