Sea Surface Temperature Variability in NHA Trang Bay, Viet Nam: Patterns and Mechanisms

Abstract

Sea surface temperature (SST) serves as a fundamental parameter influencing numerous oceanic processes, and its measurement is facilitated by various remote sensing platforms operating at different scales. In Nha Trang Bay, SST emerges as a pivotal state variable for scrutinizing climate change dynamics by using dataset of Multi-scale Ultra-high Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (MUR SST). Over recent years, the annual mean SST in Nha Trang's waters has exhibited an upward trend, registering a notable increase of 0.4°C from the period spanning 2008-2013 to 2014-2018. However, beginning in 2019 up to the present (July 2023), SST has displayed marked fluctuations, characterized by considerable complexity and heightened values. These fluctuations are largely attributed to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, which exert a substantial influence on SST patterns in Nha Trang Bay. Consequently, these shifts in SST have had significant consequences for the bay's biota. Understanding and mitigating these effects are crucial for safeguarding the ecological integrity of Nha Trang Bay amid ongoing climatic variability.