This page lists past seminars and presentations by STAR
scientists and visiting scientists. These seminars include the STAR
Science Forum and similar events. Presentation materials for
seminars will be provided when available.
Abstract: The Antarctica is one of the most vulnerable region to the influences of climate change. Especially, the Antarctic ice shelves have been melting extensively with the rapid grounding line retreat over the past decades, contributing to global sea level rise. To evaluate the Antarctic region change and assess its impact on the future sea level, we have conducted field observations in the Ross Sea and east Amundsen Sea using various observation methods in cooperation with LIONESS (Land-Ice/Ocean Network Exploration with Semiautonomous Systems) led by KOPRI (Korea Polar Research Institute). In this presentation, I will show the recent hydrographic variability of Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea where the densest water mass in the world is formed, and introduce the recent findings around the West Antarctic ice shelves having experienced extensive ice mass loss over the past decades. In addition, I will also introduce a new Antarctic research project (2023-2031) Korea Network for Observation and prediction of ice sheet and sea level changes in a Warming world (K-NOW)' which I am participating in as a Co-PI.
Abstract 1: An overview of the Group on Earth Observation's global water quality Initiative, it's relevance to NOAA missions and capacity development, and the opportunities it provides for voluntary participation by NOAA scientists.
Title 2: Modeling Swordfish Distribution with SeaScapes
Presenter 2: Jamon Jordan, Oregon State University
Title 1: Measuring the Value of Water Quality Improvements for Recreational Use on an Urban River in the USA: A Travel Cost Contingent Behavior Approach
Presenter 1: Joy Chakrabartty, Knauss Fellow - GEO Blue Planet
Abstract 1: We estimate the value of water quality improvements for recreational activities on and near the Brandywine Creek in Delaware. We divide water-based recreational activities into two groups: water-contact and non-water-contact and consider the behavioral change of the recreationists in each group when faced with different water quality improvements to estimate welfare increase in monetary terms.
Title 2: Mesoscale Eddies Inform Mesophotic Reef Health
Presenter 2: Heather Roman-Stork, GST
Abstract 2: The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) is a high latitude, mesophotic reef (16-140 m) located on the shelf-edge in the Gulf of Mexico. We use a combination of mesoscale eddy tracking and Argo data to analyze the eddy field in the FGBNMS compared to the overall Gulf of Mexico and determine climatological characteristics of eddies that pass over and around the reef.
Title: Leveraging satellite observations for freshwater monitoring on Cape Cod
Presenter(s): Megan Coffer, GST
Abstract: Secchi disk depth was evaluated for nearly 400 freshwater ponds across Cape Cod, Massachusetts, using Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. A random forest model was generated to predict satellite-estimated Secchi disk depth based on field-measured Secchi disk depth. Then, a time series of Secchi disk depth was generated for nearly 400 ponds across the Cape using satellite observations. Results indicated that Secchi disk depth changed significantly in 16 ponds across the Cape, with all but one pond indicating decreased water clarity conditions. This project directly fulfills a stakeholder request made by the Cape Cod Commission to improve their spatial and temporal capacity for monitoring water quality across the Cape.
Title: Observing Lake Wind Patterns with Sentinel-1 SAR Products
Presenter(s): Jessie Moore Torres, GST; Michael Soracco, Riva
Abstract: This presentation will showcase the potential of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) products in examining the variability of wind patterns in different lakes across the United States. Observing wind patterns and features is critical to understanding a range of ecological and physical processes, such as nutrient cycling, sediment transport, and lake mixing. The talk will also discuss the future plans for SAR lake wind data to be accessible through the NOAA CoastWatch website, which will provide improved access for researchers, managers, and the public, thereby enhancing our understanding of lake dynamics and informing management decisions related to water quality and ecosystem health.
Title 1: Sound and Color " An Immersive Dive into Music Generated from Satellite Data
Presenter 1: Ryan Vandermeulen, NMFS
Abstract: In this art-science crossover, we experimented with translating satellite data used to study the Earth's oceans into music, offering a unique accessibility and perspective on a traditionally visually based branch of science. With no underlying subjectivity, the data creates natural compositions, a mixture of chaos and uncertainty, but also a sophisticated order, representing the product of life and photosynthesis in the ocean.
Title 2: Providing a Framework for Seagrass Mapping in Coastal Systems Using High Spatial Resolution Satellite Imagery
Presenter 2: Megan Coffer, GST
Abstract: Satellite imagery from Maxar's WorldView-2 and WorldView-3 high spatial resolution, commercial satellite platforms was leveraged to provide a consistent classification approach for monitoring seagrass at eleven study areas across the continental United States, representing geographically, ecologically, and climatically diverse regions. Satellite classification performed best in areas of dense, continuous seagrass compared to areas of sparse, discontinuous seagrass and provided a suitable spatial representation of seagrass distribution within each study area.
Title: Introducing COSTA: Collaboration for Oil Spill Tracking in the Americas
Presenter(s): Emily Smail, GEO Blue Planet, University of Maryland
The COSTA program is an international effort supported by GEO Blue Planet and AmeriGEO to train and coordinate a region wide satellite monitoring and analysis program to help with oil spill prevention, early mitigation and response in the Americas. During its pilot phase, the first oil spill monitoring program in the region became operational in the island country of Trinidad and Tobago since July 2021. Training opportunities to learn about satellite oil spill monitoring using mostly freely available satellite optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery and GIS tools are now underway with other countries in the region, and are led by NOAA's Satellite Analysis Branch and Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) in Trinidad and Tobago.
