The researchers studied chlorophyll levels in the Bay of Bengal during the early north-east monsoon. They found that the southern part of the Bay had higher chlorophyll levels due to nutrients brought up from deeper waters by cyclonic conditions. This was supported by the lack of nutrients in surface waters at other stations. The southern Bay also had higher salinity, with nutrients mainly coming from the northern region. The high chlorophyll levels at the farthest station could be due to eddies or nutrient transport.