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PRIMARY PRODUCTION ESTIMATES IN CHESAPEAKE BAY USING SEAWIFS
Citation:
Keith, D J., S Rego, S. Schollaert, AND J. A. Yoder. PRIMARY PRODUCTION ESTIMATES IN CHESAPEAKE BAY USING SEAWIFS. Presented at Estuarine Research Federation 16th Biennial Conference, St. Petersburg, FL, November 4-8, 2001.
Description:
The temporal and spatial variability in primary production along the main stem of Chesapeake Bay was examined from 1997 through 2000. Primary production estimates were determined from the Vertically Generalized Production Model (VGPM) (Behrenfeld and Falkowski, 1997) using chlorophyll and photosynthetically active radiation estimates from Sea WiFS and in situ measurements of sea surface temperature and diffuse attenuation. The in situ data were provided by the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) and EPA/EMAP National Coastal Assessment Program (Coastal 2000).
The dataset consisted of 115 SeaWiFS images for the period September 1997- June 2000. Images were selected based on concurrent sampling dates by CBP partners and EMAP Coastal 2000 field crews. The revised chlorophyll a algorithm (OC-4) was used to generate surface chi estimates at approximately 40 stations from upper Chesapeake Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. PAR data were also collected at those stations. Using SeaWiFS Data Analysis System (SeaDAS), images were mapped using the Lambert Conic projection, with an average pixel size of 1.1 km2. The primary production estimates were binned into monthly averages. Arc-Info software was used to produce maps of monthly averages, three year monthly means, and annual mean estimates.
When integrated with data from coastal monitoring programs, satellite-derived estimates of primary production can be useful in establishing the baseline health and monitoring of large estuarine ecosystems.