Institute of the Environment

Spring 2008
 ENV 184

The Basics of Satellite Oceanography

Instructor - Nikolay P. Nezlin

Lectures:
on Thursdays from 4:00pm to 5:30pm
Location: 120 La Kretz Hall, beginning April 3, 2008

Office Hours:
Room LS5362 on Thursdays 12-3pm (by appointment)
Other days - by appointment

Course Description:
The physical and biogeochemical processes in the World Ocean (winds, currents, phytoplankton and fish production) are very important in terms of both human environment (weather, pollution) and food resources (fishery, aquaculture). The data obtained by scientific satellites provide oceanographers with a large volume of information on the state of the World Ocean’s surface. This multi-discipline information enables the comprehensive monitoring of both physical (sea surface temperature measured by infrared sensors, anomalies of sea surface height measured by altimeters, sea winds measured by scatterometers) and biological (water color measured by optical sensors) properties of the ecosystems in different ocean regions. Remote sensing is undoubtedly the most powerful and comprehensive tool for studies of the dynamics of the World Ocean. The methods of observations of ocean surface are developing very quickly; as such, the course will be compiled mostly from the Internet sites.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course will provide a basic grounding in the fields of oceanography, satellites, and the applications of remote sensing to oceanographic studies. Students will obtain (a) the basics of physical, chemical, and biological oceanography; (b) the information about the main systems observing ocean from space and (c) some practical skills on using these data for the analysis of ocean ecosystem dynamics.

GRADING BASIS:

Term paper 25%
Assignments on lecture topics 25%
Questionnaire 25%
Discussion 25%

COURSE SCHEDULE:

Lecture 1. The basic concepts of oceanography - (04/03/2008)
 
  • The basic concepts of hydrophysical processes in the ocean;
  • The main external forces driving ocean currents (earth rotation and wind stress);
  • The heat flux through the ocean surface resulting in vertical stratification of water properties (temperature, salinity and density);
  • The main features of horizontal water circulation (geostrophic flow, Rossby waves and Ekman drift);
  • Vertical circulation (Upwelling).
  • The role of stratification in phytoplankton ecology

  • Lecture 1 - Power Point presentation
  • Assignment 1
Lecture 2. Satellites and sensors - (04/10/2008)
 
  • The basic principles of space technology;
  • The basic elements and sampling characteristics of satellite orbits;
  • Electromagnetic spectrum and satellite sensors;
  • Active and passive sensors;
  • Data transmission to the Earth;
  • Orbit determination techniques.

  • Lecture 2 - Power Point presentation
  • Assignment 2
Lecture 3. Remote sensing of the sea - (04/17/2008)
 
  • The general principles of remote sensing of the sea;
  • Sensor calibration;
  • Atmospheric correction;
  • Positional registration;
  • Oceanographic sampling for “sea truth”;
  • Image processing;
  • The main types of sensors:
    -
    		Visible wavelength “ocean color” sensors;
    -
    		 Infrared radiometers of sea surface temperature;
    -
    		 Passive microwave radiometers;
    -
    		 Active radar-altimeters of sea surface topography;
    -

    Active microwave sensors of sea surface roughness.

  • Lecture 3 - Power Point presentation
  • Assignment 3
Lecture 4. Oceanographic Applications: Infrared Measurement of Sea Surface Temperature - (04/24/2008)
 
  • Infrared radiometry
  • Interpretation of sea surface temperature
  • Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)
  • Multi-Channel Sea Surface Temperature (MCSST) algorithm
  • Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES)
  • CoastWatch sea surface temperature data source and software

  • Lecture 4 - Power Point presentation
  • Assignment 4
Lecture 5. Oceanographic Applications: Radar-altimeters - (05/01/2008)
 
Lecture 6. Oceanographic Applications: Ocean Color - (05/8/2008)
 
  • Basic principles of satellite measurements of ocean color
  • Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS);
  • Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS);
  • MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS);
  • Examples of ocean color dynamics in different ocean regions.

  • Lecture 6 - Power Point presentation
  • Assignment 6
Lecture 7. Ocean Color and Phytoplankton Growth - (05/15/2008)
 
  • Chlorophyll and photosynthesis
  • Vertical distribution of phytoplankton in the ocean
  • Estimation of phytoplankton biomass from satellite ocean color observations
  • Estimation of chlorophyll fluorescence from MODIS ocean color observations
  • Estimation of coccolithophores concentration and harmful algal blooms
  • Seasonal cycles of phytoplankton biomass
  • Global phytoplankton biomass and primary production

  • Lecture 7 - Power Point presentation
  • Assignment 7
Lecture 8. Mesoscale variability and coastal pollution - (05/22/2008)
 
  • Phytoplankton, the main contributor to ocean color
    • Passive tracer
    • Active growing biomass
  • Horizontal transport of phytoplankton and pollutants offshore in the Black Sea
  • Spring bloom in Southern California Bight resulting from coastal upwelling
  • Stormwater plumes off southern California

  • Lecture 8 - Power Point presentation
  • Assignment 8
Lecture 9. Multi-disciplinary approach: El-Nino 1997-1998 off California - (05/29/2008)
 
Final meeting. Presentations and discussion of term papers - (06/05/2008)