PARENT SESSION
Monday, August 7, 8:00-11:30 am
COS 11 - Remote sensing
L-3, Lobby Level, Cook Convention Center
Presiders: G Carter and D Rocchini
Remote sensing of harmful algal blooms in the turbid waters of Mississippi Sound and Mobile Bay.
Holiday, Dan *,1, Carter, Greg1, Gould, Richard2, MacIntyre, Hugh3, 1 University of Southern Mississippi, Ocean Springs, MS, USA2 Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, MS, USA3 Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL
ABSTRACT- Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are comprised of phytoplankton accumulating at biomass levels that negatively affect co-occurring organisms and the food web. Some HAB species produce toxins that may harm or kill shellfish, fish, birds, marine mammals and humans. To date, 8 HAB taxa have been detected in coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. These include the diatoms Pseudo-nitzschia spp. and the dinoflagellates Karenia brevis, K. mikimotoi, and 5 members of the genus Prorocentrum. This study investigates the use of satellite remote sensing (MODIS Aqua sensor) to detect and predict HABs in the turbid waters along the Mississippi and Alabama coasts. Phytoplankton populations and water quality were monitored at 3 to 6 week intervals at 17 locations in Mississippi Sound and Mobile Bay beginning in June, 2005 and continuing through July, 2006. Coincident satellite images were also acquired and processed. In situ and satellite-derived water properties included surface temperature, turbidity, and concentrations of chlorophyll a (CHLa) and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM). Simple curvilinear regressions determined relationships between phytoplankton cell count and water properties (both measured and satellite-derived). In general, counts of diatoms, dinoflagellates, chlorophytes, cryptophytes and chrysophytes correlated inversely with temperature (r-squared = 0.75 to 0.92) and positively with CHLa, turbidity and CDOM (r-squared = 0.42 to 0.63). These preliminary results are being used to develop a prediction model for HABs in coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico based on daily to weekly satellite observations.
Key words: remote sensing, harmful algal bloom, Gulf of Mexico