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Ocean Color Applications
Citation:
Schaeffer, B. Ocean Color Applications. Seminar at North Carolina State University, Marine, Earth, & Atmospheric Sciences Department, NC, Raleigh, November 01, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
Presentation to the North Carolina State University, Marine, Earth, & Atmospheric Sciences Department.
Description:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) are collaborating to provide an approach for mainstreaming satellite ocean color capabilities into U.S. fresh and brackish water quality management decisions. The overarching project goal is to support the environmental management and public use of U.S. lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries by providing the capability to detect and quantify cyanobacteria blooms using satellite data records. Satellite remote sensing tools may enable policy makers and environmental managers to assess the sustainability of watershed ecosystems, and the services they provide, under current and future land use practices. Satellite technology allows for the development of cyanobacteria early-warning indicators at the local scale with continuous, synoptic national coverage. This project is structured within a sustainability framework for a more holistic approach including environmental, human health, and economic considerations. The multi-agency collaborative effort has six main components: (1) develop a uniform and systematic approach for identifying cyanobacteria blooms across the contiguous U.S.; (2) evaluation and refinement of algorithms across satellite platforms; (3) link impacts of landscape changes and bloom events; (4) demonstrate satellites can link exposure and human health effects in drinking and recreational waters; (5) evaluate the economic value of the satellite early warning system; and (6) data dissemination and training for stakeholders.