Analysis of temperature/depth profiles from sensors attached to waterbirds and pinnipeds in the Columbia River estuary
Abstract
Analysis of temperature/depth profiles from sensors attached to waterbirds and pinnipeds in the Columbia River estuary Principal Participant: James A. Lerczak Oregon State University College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences 104 COAS Admin Bldg Corvallis, OR 97331 Tel: (541)737-6128 FAX: (541)737-2064 Email: jlerczak@coas.oregonstate.edu Project Summary: We propose to analyze data collected over the last two years with sensors attached to waterbirds (cormorants) and pinnipeds (harbor seals) in the mouth of the Columbia River (MOC). The main objectives are to: 1. Complete an analysis of salt-wedge variability using all data collected from cormorants and harbor seals. 2. Construct a bathymetric map of the MOC using bottom dives of cormorants and harbor seals, objectively assessing coverage, accuracy and limits to horizontal resolution. 3. Determine whether the horizontal and vertical structure of salinity and temperature of fine-scale physical surface features (e.g., density fronts), remotely measured by X-band radar, are resolved by profile measurements made by marine animals. 4. Objectively assess the utility and limits of physical measurements made by marine animals in energetic environments such as estuaries and the coastal ocean and the increased value (e.g., increased spatial and temporal resolution) from scaled-up experiments (e.g., increasing the number of tagged animals). This work will be in collaboration with Bryan Wright and Robin Brown (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, ODFW; pinniped tags); Don Lyons, Dan Roby and Adam Peck-Richardson (Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; waterbird tags); and Merrick Haller (Oregon State University; X-Band radar).
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512108
Entities
People
- James A. Lerczak
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Oregon State University
- United States Navy