Large-Scale Spatial and Temporal Patterns Evident in the Chlorophyll a Imagery from the First Four Global Satellite Ocean Color Missions (CZCS, OCTS, POLDER and SeaWiFS)

University Of Rhode Island, Kingston RI

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT OCE-9986737 In this study, the principal investigator will prepare and analyze the global ocean chlorophyll-a fields derived from four different satellite ocean color sensors - the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS), the Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner (OCTS), the Polarization and Directionality of the Earth's Reflectances sensor (POLDER), and the Sea Wide Field Sensor (SeaWiFS). The overall objective is to assess and implement strategies for scaling these satellite data and models to seasonal, annual, and interannual time scales and to regional and global spatial scales", one of the primary goals of the Synthesis and Modeling Project of the U.S. Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (U.S.JGOFS). The subobjectives are: (1) to put the sensor imagery on a common global grid at 0.25 degree resolution and at roughly weekly temporal resolution; (2) to do the same at monthly resolution; (3) to compare the fields; (4) to select one or more ocean basins for more detailed comparisons of satellite-derived chlorophyll-a spatial and temporal variability; and (5) to create satellite chlorophyll-a time series for large ocean regions. The principal investigator will work with other ocean scientists to assure that they are aware of the remote sensing chlorophyll-a databases available to them as well as the strengths and limitations of those databases.