 3. Capabilities
SOCD satellite ocean remote sensing research and development
capabilities address the Division's strategic priorities end-to-end
and are encapsulated in end-to-end functional areas cross-matrixed by
end-to-end parameter science teams.
3.1 Technology Areas
Functional Areas organize the Division's science efforts according
to context, providing a fully integrated network across the Division's
ocean parameter science teams and strategic priorities. The three
functional areas are Satellite Ocean Sensors, Ocean Dynamics, and
Marine Ecosystems.
- Satellite Ocean Sensors
The Satellite Ocean Sensors functional area spans the visible,
infrared, and microwave spectral regions and encompasses research
on developing new satellite ocean remote sensing parameters and
improved algorithms for existing parameters for ultimate transition
to and maintenance support for operational algorithms and data
streams. This functional area focuses on defining design
characteristics for new satellite instruments, exploring and
defining relationships between satellite observations and geophysical
parameters, and developing and validating retrieval algorithms.
This task is inherently entwined with calibration and validation
efforts. Science and technology areas include working with in-situ,
as well as airborne, instrumentation in conjunction with satellite
ocean remote sensing instruments.
Figure 7. The Marine Optical BuoY (MOBY) (top right) provides crucial vicarious calibration of ocean color sensors and a necessary element for quality ocean color data and validation with known uncertainties, a requirement for introducing ocean color data assimilation into biogeochemical and ecosystem models.
- Ocean Dynamics
Ocean Dynamics focuses on the physical oceanography and marine geophysics aspects of satellite ocean remote sensing. Near-real to interannual and longer time scales are considered. Research and analysis areas include general ocean circulation and its variability, the marine gravity field, and bottom topography. Theses efforts provide: support for numerical oceanic/atmospheric prediction and global climate change models; data fusion of scatterometry wind data and altimetry sea surface height data to determine ocean surface current and their variabilities; and the identification of ocean thermodynamic processes/features and their temporal patterns through the analysis of infrared sea-surface temperature data.
- Marine Ecosystems
Marine Ecosystems focuses on conducting research and developing operational satellite ocean remote sensing applications for oceanic, coastal, and estuarine areas to detect and address aspects of marine ecosystems important to NOAA's objectives for monitoring habitats, managing ecosystems, protecting species, maintaining human health, measuring water quality, and promoting sustainable development. Within Marine Ecosystems, Coral Reef Watch (CRW) is a collaborative integrated program utilizing remote sensing and in-situ tools for near-real-time and long-term monitoring, modeling, and reporting of coral reef ecosystem physical environmental conditions. It aims to assist the management, study, and assessment of the impacts of environmental change on coral reefs. In particular, sea surface temperature data is used to determine and predict areas of coral bleaching through the measurement of accumulated heat stress. Research continues on integrating additional parameters into the assessment of coral reef health.
|
|
|
