Transcript Powerpoint - NIA :: ECSU

Temporal and Spatial Variations of
Sea Surface Temperature and
Chlorophyll a in Coastal Waters of
North Carolina
Team Members:
Brittany Maybin
Yao Messan
Chelsea Goins
Phillip Moore
Mentor:
Dr. Jinchun Yuan
Outline
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Abstract
Background History
Data and Methodology
Results and Discussion
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Seasonal Variation of Chlorophyll a
Temporal Variation of area Averaged
Chlorophyll a and Sea Surface Temperature
Animation of Chlorophyll a and Sea Surface
Temperature Distributions
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgement
Abstract
Temperature and chlorophyll a (chl a) are two fundamental properties
of seawater. Traditionally, both temperature and chl a are determined
by shipboard sensors that can only provide limited temporal and spatial
coverage. Consequently, the distribution of temperature and chl a in
coastal waters of North Carolina is poorly known. In this study, satellite
remote sensing was used to study the temporal and spatial variations of
the coastal waters of North Carolina. The region (34°N, 40°N, 78°W,
74°W) of our study included the Chesapeake Bay, Albemarle and
Pamlico Sound, and a part of Northeast North Atlantic Ocean. Two sets
of data, chl a and sea surface temperature (SST) were used for this
study. Monthly chl a concentration based on 10 years of Sea-viewing
Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) data and SST data based on 5
years of Aqua-Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer
(MODIS) data was obtained from the NASA website (GIOVANNI). (1)
The monthly climatology of sea surface chl a was calculated from
monthly remote sensing data; (2) Temporal variation of area averaged
chl a and SST for selected regions (i.e. Albemarle Sound, Chesapeake
Bay) was calculated; (3) Temporal variations of both chl a and SST
distribution animation was also created.
Background History
• Chlorophyll a
• Chesapeake Bay
• Albemarle Sound
Chesapeake Bay
Albemarle Sound
Data and Methodology
• Giovanni – an online visualization and analysis tool
that provides a simple and intuitive way to visualize,
analyze, and access vast amounts of Earth science
remote sensing data.
• Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) –
provides quantitative data on global ocean biooptical properties.
• Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer
(MODIS-Aqua) – is a key instrument aboard the
Terra (EOS AM) and Aqua (EOS PM) satellites
mapping the entire Earth's surface.
Example of SeaWiFS Data Collected to Calculate Chlorophyll a Concentration
January
This image displays the
distribution of chlorophyll a in
the North Carolina coastal
regions using SeaWiFS data.
The data is averaged for the
month of January during the
years of 1998 to 2007. The
chlorophyll a is measured in
mg/m^3. The red part is the
area that has a high chlorophyll
a concentration, and the blue
identifies the area with a low
chlorophyll a concentration.
Seasonal Variation of Chlorophyll a Concentration from
January 1998 to December 2007
Chl a Concentrations of the Albemarle Sound
from January 1998 December 2007
SST of the Albemarle Sound from July 2002
to February 2008
Chl a Concentrations of the Chesapeake Bay
from January 1998 December 2007
SST of the Chesapeake Bay from July 2002 to
February 2008
Animation of Sea Surface Temperature from July
2002 to February 2008
Animation of Chlorophyll a Concentrations from
September 1997 to December 2007
Conclusion
• Before 2003, chlorophyll a concentrations in
Chesapeake Bay were significantly lower than after
2003.
• Chl a concentrations are higher near the coast and
lower in the open ocean.
• In the summer, the concentration of chlorophyll a is
high on the coast but as the year progresses
concentrations in the open ocean increase.
• SST reach high temperatures in the summer and
lower temperatures in the winter.
• SST decreases moving farther north away from the
equator.
Future Research
• Use the microwave scatterometer (QuikSCAT)
data to calculate and correlate the sea surface
winds to SST and chl a concentrations in this
area
• Study the cause of the increase of chlorophyll a
in Chesapeake Bay in 2003
• Factor any improvements to the Aqua-MODIS
and SeaWiFS into our data
Acknowledgements
• We would like to thank our mentor Dr. Jinchun
Yuan, Dr. Hayden, and the other mentors for
their direction and guidance throughout this
program. Your continued support was truly
appreciated.
References
• [1]Yuan, Dongliiang. (2007). Cross- Shelf Circulation in the Yellow
and east China Seas Indicated by MODIS Satellite Observations.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Journal of Marine Systems
• [2]Shen, Suhung. (2007). Seasonal Variations of Chlorophyll a
Concentration in the North South China Sea. Fairfax, Virginia:
National Aeronautics and Space Administrations
• [3]Yuan, Jinchun. (2007). Comment on “Reduction of Production
and Changing of Nutrient Ratio in the East China Sea: Effect of the
Three Gorges Dam” by Gwo-Ching Gong et al. Elizabeth City,
North Carolina: American Geophysical Union
• [4]Gong, Gwo-Ching. (2006). Reduction of Production and
Changing of Nutrient Ratio in the East China Sea: Effect of the
Three Gorges Keelung, Taiwan: American Geophysical Union.