Spatiotemporal dynamics of satellite-derived chlorophyll-a in the Sibutu Passage, Philippines

Ruqaiya Jauhari; Albaris Tahiluddin

doi:10.33714/masteb.1864558

Spatiotemporal dynamics of satellite-derived chlorophyll-a in the Sibutu Passage, Philippines

Abstract

Phytoplankton play a vital role in marine ecosystems as primary producers, and their biomass, represented by chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), reflects ocean productivity influenced by sea surface temperature (SST), monsoon activity, and ocean circulation. This study analyzed the spatial and temporal variability of satellite-derived Chl-a and SST across the Sibutu Passage, southern Philippines, over the annual cycle of 2024. Monthly MODIS Aqua Level-3 data were processed using QGIS for spatial mapping and Google Earth Engine for temporal mean extraction. Results showed that Chl-a concentrations ranged from 0.14–0.26 mg m⁻³, with higher values during the northeast monsoon (January–February) and lower values during the southwest monsoon (September–October). SST varied 27.9 °C to 30.8 °C, exhibiting an inverse relationship with Chl-a. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a moderate inverse relationship between Chl-a and sea surface temperature (r = –0.44); however, the relationship was not statistically significant (p = 0.15). The observed inverse trend is suggestive but not statistically confirmed, likely due to the limited sample size (n = 12 monthly observations from a single year), which reduces the statistical power of the analysis. These patterns suggest that monsoon-driven mixing and seasonal thermal stratification may influence phytoplankton variability in the passage. As the analysis is based on a single year of observations, the results primarily reflect seasonal dynamics rather than long-term climatic trends. Despite generally low surface productivity, localized mixing processes within the Sibutu Passage may contribute to enhanced biological productivity in this inter-basin marine corridor. These findings provide a preliminary satellite-based productivity baseline for this understudied region and highlight the need for longer time-series observations and in-situ oceanographic measurements.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Freshwater and Marine Ecology

Journal Section

Short Communication

Authors

Ruqaiya Jauhari
0009-0008-3840-8905
Philippines

Albaris Tahiluddin ^*
0000-0002-3237-3552
Philippines

Early Pub Date

March 31, 2026

Publication Date

March 31, 2026

Submission Date

January 16, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 1970 Volume: 15 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1864558

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA24HF39KM

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Jauhari, R., & Tahiluddin, A. (2026). Spatiotemporal dynamics of satellite-derived chlorophyll-a in the Sibutu Passage, Philippines. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, 15(1), 53-60. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1864558

AMA

1.Jauhari R, Tahiluddin A. Spatiotemporal dynamics of satellite-derived chlorophyll-a in the Sibutu Passage, Philippines. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2026;15(1):53-60. doi:10.33714/masteb.1864558

Chicago

Jauhari, Ruqaiya, and Albaris Tahiluddin. 2026. “Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Satellite-Derived Chlorophyll-a in the Sibutu Passage, Philippines”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 15 (1): 53-60. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1864558.

EndNote

Jauhari R, Tahiluddin A (March 1, 2026) Spatiotemporal dynamics of satellite-derived chlorophyll-a in the Sibutu Passage, Philippines. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 15 1 53–60.

IEEE

[1]R. Jauhari and A. Tahiluddin, “Spatiotemporal dynamics of satellite-derived chlorophyll-a in the Sibutu Passage, Philippines”, Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull., vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 53–60, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.33714/masteb.1864558.

ISNAD

Jauhari, Ruqaiya - Tahiluddin, Albaris. “Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Satellite-Derived Chlorophyll-a in the Sibutu Passage, Philippines”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 15/1 (March 1, 2026): 53-60. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1864558.

JAMA

1.Jauhari R, Tahiluddin A. Spatiotemporal dynamics of satellite-derived chlorophyll-a in the Sibutu Passage, Philippines. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2026;15:53–60.

MLA

Jauhari, Ruqaiya, and Albaris Tahiluddin. “Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Satellite-Derived Chlorophyll-a in the Sibutu Passage, Philippines”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, vol. 15, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 53-60, doi:10.33714/masteb.1864558.

Vancouver

1.Ruqaiya Jauhari, Albaris Tahiluddin. Spatiotemporal dynamics of satellite-derived chlorophyll-a in the Sibutu Passage, Philippines. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2026 Mar. 1;15(1):53-60. doi:10.33714/masteb.1864558