Satellite Optical Water Mass Classification to Map Coastal Hypoxia

Abstract

We applied an optical water mass classification technique to estimate the areal extent of coastal hypoxia in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Partitioned absorption coefficients (phytoplankton, sediment/detrital, and CDOM) derived from satellite ocean color imagery are coupled with a stratification index (surface-to-bottom temperature difference) derived from a circulation model. Optical properties (relative and absolute absorption coefficients) were extracted from a 10-year climatology of monthly satellite composites to define expected optical conditions of hypoxic waters, which were delineated by mid-summer ship surveys (LUMCON, 2009). Then, for a given year, the satellite-derived optical properties are compared to the expected conditions and coupled with the model-derived water column stratification index, to provide a real-time spatial estimate of hypoxia.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 14, 2011
Accession Number
ADA536909

Entities

People

  • Dong S. Ko
  • M. D. Lewis
  • R. D. Smith
  • R. W. Gould

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Absorption Coefficients
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Classification
  • Coefficients
  • Composite Materials
  • Environmental Protection
  • Frequency
  • Images
  • Layers
  • Military Research
  • Oceans
  • Optical Properties
  • Phytoplankton
  • Stratification
  • Temperature Gradients
  • Water Masses

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Marine Ecotoxicology

Technology Areas

  • Space