A Predictive Model for Satellite-Derived Phytoplankton Absorption Over the Louisiana Shelf Hypoxic Zone: Effects of Nutrients and Physical Forcing

Abstract

We investigated environmental forcing mechanisms of phytoplankton absorption near the Mississippi River delta using multi-year satellite data. An algorithm for the phytoplankton absorption coefficient was developed from in situ measurements and applied to ocean color imagery. We employed a suite of chemical and physical forcing variables, including surface currents. For satellite-derived time series (2002-2004) correlation and stepwise regression analyses revealed the most important forcing variables on the Louisiana shelf. Mississippi River discharge and nitrate concentration were the two most important predictors over the hypoxic zone (defined by its maximum extent).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 06, 2008
Accession Number
ADA483593

Entities

People

  • Rebecca E. Green
  • Richard W. Gould Jr.

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Absorption Coefficients
  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Coastal Regions
  • Correlation Analysis
  • Data Science
  • Drainage Basins
  • Information Science
  • Measurement
  • Mississippi River
  • Predictive Modeling
  • Regions
  • Regression Analysis
  • Solar Radiation
  • Topography
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Marine Ecotoxicology
  • Regression Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Space