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A PILOT PROJECT TO DETECT AND PREDICT HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO
Citation:
Fisher, W S., A. Robertson, AND T. Malone. A PILOT PROJECT TO DETECT AND PREDICT HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO. Presented at 2001 EMAP Symposium, Pensacola, FL, April 24-27, 2001.
Description:
More timely access to data and information on the initiation, evolution and effects of harmful algal blooms can reduce adverse impacts on valued natural resources and human health. To achieve this, a workshop was held to develop a user-driven, end-to-end (measurements to applications) observing system for the northern Gulf of Mexico. A key strategy is to utilize existing state, federal and academic programs in a coordinated network (see http://www.csc.noaa.gov/cts/coos/), which will require an unprecedented level of collaboration and partnership across agencies. Resource managers charged with protection of public health and aquatic resources require immediate notice of harmful algae events and a forecast of when, where and what adverse effects will likely occur. Further, managers require analyses and interpretations, rather than raw data, to make effective decisions. Consequently, a functional observing system must both collect and transform diverse measurements into usable forecasts. Data needed to support development of forecasts will include such properties as sea surface temperature, winds, currents and waves; precipitation and freshwater flows with related discharges of sediment and nutrients; salinity, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll concentrations (in vivo fluorescence); and remotely-sensed spatial images of sea surface chlorophyll concentrations. These data will be provided by a mix of discrete and autonomous in situ sensing with near real-time data telemetry, and remote sensing from space (SeaWiFS), aircraft (hyperspectral imagery) or land (high-frequency radar). Ultimately, calibration across these platforms could provide a 4-dimensional visualization of harmful algae events in a time frame beneficial to resource managers.