Interdisciplinary Applications of Autonomous Observation Systems
Abstract
Our long-term goal is to develop improved autonomous observation systems and analytical capabilities for describing the distributions and activities of marine microbes in relation to their physical, chemical, and optical environment in support of multidisciplinary, data-assimilating predictive models of optical and biological processes in the world ocean. Our primary objectives are as follows: (1) to develop and test new interdisciplinary sensor arrays on a variety of in situ platforms to describe biological variability in relation to the optical, physical, and chemical environment of the ocean; and (2) to use data from these sensor systems in multidisciplinary models of physically and chemically driven ocean biology. Data from deployments of coastal ocean observatories and research cruises are used to develop and evaluate models and bio-optical algorithms for estimating optical and biological properties of surface waters using measurements from a variety of optical instruments. An extensive program of sampling from research vessels at our coastal observatories provides a large set of data for development and validation of bio-optical models for case 2 waters. Several of our bio-optical analyses utilize chlorophyll fluorescence -- sun-induced, or stimulated by fluorometers -- to describe variability in the biomass or physiological status of phytoplankton. Consequently, we study the environmental influences on chlorophyll fluorescence in controlled laboratory experiments using different taxonomic groups of phytoplankton. We also are working on reconciling spatial and temporal patterns in sun-induced fluorescence yield (assessable from space) with patterns of relative fluorescence yield detected with fluorometers at the surface and in the ocean interior. The objective is to link assessments of phytoplankton physiology from space to autonomous measurements from instruments such as ocean gliders and the physical/biological interactions that they describe.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA527309
Entities
People
- John J. Cullen
- Marlon R. Lewis