Multi- and Hyper-spectral Bio-optical
Tracking of Gulf of Maine Harmful Algal Bloom
Habitat
OVERVIEW:
Each summer, extensive areas of Maine coastline are
closed to shellfish harvesting due to Alexandrium, a
toxic dinoflagellate, costing millions of dollars in
lost commercial revenue and monitoring efforts. Unlike
the harmful algal blooms of other coastal waters,
Alexandrium is dangerous even as just a minor part of
the phytoplankton community, at concentrations too low
to be detectable with current remote sensing technology.
However, extensive previous research has shown that
these organisms are widespread, have strong spatial and
temporal patchiness, are associated with specific
temperature and nutrient regimes, and are transported by
local physical processes. The waters of the Gulf of
Maine, especially those close to shore, are optically
complex due to varying amounts, sources and
characteristics of colored dissolved matter, suspended
sediment, and varying concentrations and diversity of
phytoplankton. A systematic investigation of the
capability of multispectral satellite data to isolate
and monitor the oceanic habitat of Alexandrium has not
been carried out. In this proposal, we use NASA
multispectral and SST data and new hyperspectral field
data to bio-optically classify different Gulf of Maine
surface water masses, identify those water masses that
are preferred Alexandrium habitat, track these water
masses and map their interaction with, and impact on,
coastal shellfish harvesting sites. We bring a
multi-institution and multi-disciplinary team to address
this problem. The global ocean color community is poised
to transition to the next generation of space-borne
ocean color data from hyperspectral optical sensors.
NASA's focus in this effort is the PACE mission,
expected to launch in the next 5-6 years. Maine's ocean
scientists and environmental resource managers need to
transition to this level of data complexity to remain
competitive and fully reap the benefits of these data
for Maine applications and priorities. This proposal
builds both instrument and intellectual infrastructure
with hyperspectral data, while addressing a Maine
technology priority and interfacing with a critical
marine resource sector. Our overarching goal is to use
NASA's satellite-based measurements of coastal ocean
bio-optical and hydrographic characteristics to define,
isolate and track those water masses most closely
associated with Alexandrium and coastal shellfish
toxicity. The research involves a combined retrospective
and real-time analysis of existing field 2 observations
and multispectral satellite data and 3 years of new
fieldwork that leverages an existing, separately funded
project, and introduces a project-purchased
hyperspectral instrument. This instrument will be
deployed on a ship and will emulate PACE, allowing
unprecedented spectral resolution of Gulf of Maine
surface waters to better discriminate optical water
types. Both efforts are supported by numerical modeling
of circulation to view interannual and spatial
variability in flow trajectories and the forcing that
drives these, and GIS modeling to map and model the
interaction between these parcels and DMR sampling
sites, coastal shellfish beds and both state and
municipal stakeholders.
|