Oceanographic Remote Sensing Laboratory

Oceanographic Remote Sensing Laboratory
About
Current Projects
Recent Projects
Publications
Courses
Students
About
The
Oceanographic Remote Sensing Laboratory
(ORSL) led by
Dr. James J. Bisagni
, Principal Investigator, is currently
studying various coastal physical oceanographic processes and how they relate to productivity in the coastal ocean over various
trophic levels from phytoplankton to fisheries. Processes of interest currently include the shelf break front, cross-frontal flows
and transport due to eddies and Gulf Stream warm-core rings, wind-driven transport, and the effects of varying freshwater output
from arctic regions. Studies usually require analysis of satellite-derived data along with in situ measurements, along with model output.
James J. Bisagni
Professor Emeritus of Marine Science & Research Associate
SMAST Department of Estuarine & Ocean Sciences
836 South Rodney French Blvd
New Bedford, MA 02744-1221
jbisagni@umassd.edu
508 910-6328
News
Availability of Western North Atlantic and US-GLOBEC Northwest Atlantic Georges Bank Program Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Satellite Images
Near real-time daily satellite-derived SST images and data (.hdf) are
available for the entire western North Atlantic (WNA) region from
Florida to Newfoundland at ~1.8 km resolution in 2048 X 2048 pixel
format.
Also the entire daily satellite-derived SST image 512 X 512 pixel archive for the US GLOBEC Northwest Atlantic Georges Bank program is
now online once again as both images (.gif) and binary data files.
Both a larger "standard" remap region (~1.4 km resolution) for
1993-2003, along with a smaller "zoom" remap region (~1.1 km resolution)
for 1995, 1999, and 2000-2003 are available along with
optimally-interpolated (OI) images and data from late-1993 through
1998. These data are available
through the efforts of Robert Groman, Biological & Chemical Oceanography Data
Management Office (BCO-DMO) (
),
located at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and
is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Data are provided through collaboration with Dr. Matt Oliver's Ocean
Remote Sensing Laboratory, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware.
Near Real-Time, Satellite-Derived, Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Satellite Images Available for Southern New England Shelf Waters (centered on the OOI Pioneer array)
Daily SST images are available in near real-time for the southern New England region important to local fisheries and are available for use by all stakeholders. Location and temperature data for temperature features of interest to users may be extracted from individual images using standard web browsers. Data are provided through collaboration with Dr. Matt Oliver's Ocean Remote Sensing Laboratory, University of
Delaware, Newark, Delaware.
Additional Data Synopses and Monthly Mean SST Time Series and Movie Loop
Recent Projects
US-GLOBEC: The physical oceanography of Georges Bank and its impact on biology
(Dr. James J. Bisagni, Co-investigator; R. Beardsley, Principal Investigator), NSF, 2003-2007, $104,863 (Award OCE-0227679)
Sixteen-years (1985-2000) of satellite sea surface temperature (SST) data from eastern Georges Bank (GB) and western Scotian Shelf reveal strong inter-annual
variability (IAV) for the presence of cold anomalies (colder than -1 °C), signifying Scotian Shelf Water Crossovers (Brunner et al., in revision; Brunner, 2007).
Seasonal variability of the shelf slope front (SSF) position (Bisagni et al., 2006) between Cape Hatteras and the Tail of the Grand Banks shows a maximum
seaward (shoreward) extent during winter (summer), but also shows that eastern-most and western-most monthly SSF anomalies, relative to a 20-year long-term
(1973-1992) mean are 180° out of phase, with maximum seasonal SSF variability of Ο(±50 km) occurring generally east of 58°W. Seasonal westward propagation
of the seaward-most (landward-most) SSF position is evident between 50° and 58° W from November to April (May to October), decreasing westward in amplitude.
An Ekman coastal plume model reproduces the general seasonal cycle of the SSF along with the east-west phase shift, except in easternmost regions where SSF
positional variability is maximal. IAV of the annual mean SSF position between Cape Hatteras (CH) and the Tail of the Grand Banks (TGB) from longitude-time
plots reveals alternating bands of offshore (late-1970s, late-1980s, late-1990s) and onshore (early-1980s, early-1990s, early-2000s) annual mean SSF anomaly
values, exhibiting a period of approximately 10 years (Bisagni et al., 2009). Complex empirical orthogonal function analysis reveals a wavelength scale of
approximately 20 degrees of longitude, along with westward propagation of 1.2 to 2.4 cm s
-1
(1 to 2 km d
-1
). Importantly, this study showed onshore (offshore)
SSF position anomalies within the MAB corresponding to negative (positive) shelf water volume anomalies and positive (negative) shelf water salinity anomalies (Mountain, 2003).
Bisagni, J. J., H-S. Kim, and A. Chaudhuri, (2009). Interannual variability of the shelf slope front position between 75° and 50° W.
Journal of Marine Systems
, 78:337-350.
Brunner, A-M, E. G., 2007 Interannual variability of satellite-derived sea surface temperature in the western North Atlantic shelf and slope, 1985-1999. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, School for Marine Science, New Bedford, MA
Bisagni, J. J., H.-S. Kim, and K. F. Drinkwater, 2006. Observations and modeling of shelf-slope front seasonal variability between 75° and 50° W.
Deep-Sea Research II
, 53:2477-2500.
US-GLOBEC: Patterns of energy flow and utilization on Georges Bank
(Dr. James J. Bisagni, Co-investigator; D. Gifford, Principal Investigator), NSF, 2003-2007, $127,593 (Award OCE-0217122)
This project synthesized key aspects of production and energy flow, based on US-GLOBEC Northwest Atlantic studies, and augmented US-GLOBEC data with information
on production processes at the lower and upper levels of the food web. Objectives were to examine alternate model outcomes of GLOBEC studies to help address outstanding
issues and reexamine patterns of energy flow on Georges Bank. Consideration of factors not addressed in earlier energy budgets included (1) the microbial food web,
(2) new and recycled primary production, (3) spatial heterogeneity of primary and secondary production, (4) changes in biomass and production at higher trophic levels,
and (5) effects of environmental forcing on production. Decadal-scale periods, reflecting differing environmental (temperature) and fish community regimes were considered:
(1) the cold 1960s characterized by abundant groundfish fished by distant water fleets; (2) the 1970s, characterized by "average" water temperatures, increased
domestic fishing effort, and depletion of groundfish; (3) the 1980s, characterized by "average" water temperatures, overfishing of groundfish, and increases in elasmobranchs;
and (4) the "average" temperature, lower salinity 1990s, characterized by reduced fishing mortality, rebuilding of groundfish stocks, and increases in elasmobranchs and
pelagic fish. Work performed by Dr. Bisagni included assembling a climatology of nutrient (NO
+NO
) data to calculate a proxy for new primary production, termed
"potential new production" (PNP) as the difference between a "storage" term (integrated to the depth of the euphotic zone) and a vertical-flux term for three hydrographic
provinces on Georges Bank.
Bisagni, J. J., 2003. The seasonal cycles of nitrate supply and potential new production in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank regions.
Journal of Geophysical Research
, 108(C11), 8015, doi:10.1029/2001JC001136.
Steele, J. H., J. S. Collie, J. J. Bisagni, D. J. Gifford, M. J. Fogarty, J. S. Link, B. K. Sullivan, M. E. Sieracki, A. R. Beet, D. G. Mountain, E. G. Durbin, D. Palka, and W. T. Stockhausen, 2007. Balancing end-to-end budgets of the Georges Bank ecosystem.
Progr. Oceanography
, 74:423-448.
US-GLOBEC Pan-Regional Synthesis: End-to-end energy budgets in US-GLOBEC regions
(Dr. James J. Bisagni, Principal Investigator), NSF, 2008-2012 $155,185 (Award OCE-0814391)
Physical, chemical and biological data sets have been obtained off the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region and for the US-GLOBEC Southern Ocean (SO) program
in Marguerite Bay including light and nutrient profiles to estimate 'potential new production' (PNP), a proxy for actual new primary production. Additional data obtained
include nutrient, light and CTD data from the US-GLOBEC SO Program and the Antarctic LTER research group for a series of stations covering the oceanic region located
west of the WAP. We have computed the mean seasonal cycle of the 1% light level to determine the seasonal cycle of the euphotic zone depth. Temporal and spatial
variability of primary production (PP) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) were studied off the continental shelf of the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP). Preliminary results
indicate an offshore-onshore and north-south gradient in both PP and Ch-a. The primary production to chlorophyll-a ratio (PP ⁄ Chl-a) was also computed and showed an
overall north-south gradient, with a positive increase southward. We speculate that this trend could be due to grazing, oceanographic processes, photosynthetic
efficiencies of the plankton or a combination thereof. Three 'hotspot' sites within the WAP (off Anvers Island (AI), off Crystal Sound (CS) and off Marguerite Bay
(MB)) were further investigated. All three sites showed above average rates and concentrations of PP and Chl-a, respectively, when compared with adjacent waters.
Waters around MB had the highest PP rates (2.35 ± 0.69 g C m
-2
day
-1
), while those off AI in the north had the lowest rates (1.04 ± 0.09 g C m
-2
day
-1
). Overall PP
for the WAP region during the peak growing season (January) was maximal on year day 23 (1.05 ± 0.12 g C m
-2
day
-1
).
Pedulli, M., and J. J. Bisagni, A comprehensive analysis of integrated light, nutrients, and primary production to estimate potential new production off the West Antarctic Peninsula. (in-prep)
Pedulli, M., and J. J. Bisagni, 2012, Temporal and spatial variability of primary production and chlorophyll in the waters off of the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region. Poster presentation, AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting, February 19-23, 2012, Salt Lake City, UT.
Current Projects
Satellite-Derived sea surface temperature (SST) data for southern New England
(Dr. James J. Bisagni, Principal Investigator), UMass Dartmouth Chancellor's Research Fund and the Joseph P. Healey Endowment Grant, 2012-2013, $9,931
Through collaboration with Dr. Andrew Thomas' Satellite Oceanography Laboratory at the University of Maine Orono, we will be
providing near real-time satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) images and data for the southern New England region
important to fisheries, for immediate use by stakeholders as outlined below. This project will then archive all SST images and
data for the region for non real-time use by stakeholders, allowing development of a regional, historical SST time series data base.
These data will also provide preliminary data for process oriented oceanographic research to be proposed to the National Science
Foundation (NSF) that will focus on the continental shelf off southern New England using the NSF's "Pioneer" instrument array scheduled
to be deployed during the 2013-2014 time frame. This project will also provide important training in "operational oceanography" through
a Research Assistantship to Mr. Marco Pedulli, Graduate Student.
Courses
MAR 555 - Introductory Physical Oceanography
Fundamental physical oceanographical processes important to coastal and open ocean environments.
Included in the course are lectures by current researchers in specialized topics such as satellite oceanography and numerical modeling. (3 credits)
MAR 562 - Satellite Oceanography
This course provides an overview of the use of satellite-based remote sensing for
making measurements within the marine environment. Each of the primary satellite
sensors used by oceanographers is introduced along with the principles behind their
operation, measurement retrieval, data handling, and data interpretation/usage. (3 credits)
MAR 661 - Physical Oceanography of Shallow Seas
Physical oceanographic processes important to European and U.S. shallow seas, continental shelves and banks and their relationship to nutrients and biology (plankton and fish) in these regions.
(3 credits)
MAR 662 - Physical-Biological Interactions in the Oceans
Fundamental physical-biological interactions are explored using lectures, readings and sample problems.
This course is designed to be interdisciplinary and emphasizes the relationships between physical oceanographic
processes and oceanic biology over a variety of spatial and temporal scales. A mini-research project or
term paper is required. (3 credits)
Publications
Chaudhuri, A. H., Gangopadhyay, A., & Bisagni, J. J. Response of the western North Atlantic basin to characteristic high and low phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation. Ocean Modell. 39, 220-232 (2011).
Pedulli, M., J. J. Bisagni, H. Ducklow, R. Beardsley, and C. Pilskaln, (2014) Estimates of potential new production (PNP) for the waters off the western Antarctic peninsula (WAP) region. Continental Shelf Research. 84:54-69
Pedulli, M., J. J. Bisagni, H. Ducklow, C. Pilskaln, and R. Beardsley, (in revision) Trends and spatial/temporal patterns of macronutrients, euphotic depth, mixed-layer depth and chlorophyll-a for the western Antarctic peninsula (WAP) region. Continental Shelf Research.
Bisagni, J. J., Salinity variability along the eastern continental shelf of Canada and the United States, 1973-2013. (2016) Continental Shelf Research. 126, 89-109
Bisagni, J. J., A. Gangopadhyay, and A. Sanchez-Franks, (2017) Secular change and inter-annual variability of the Gulf Stream position, 1993-2013, 70-55 W. Deep-Sea Research I, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2017.04.001
Greene, C. H., B. C. Monger, L. P. McGarry, M. D. Connelly, N. R. Schnepf, A. J. Pershing, I. M. Belkin, P. S. Fratantoni, D. G. Mountain, R. S. Pickart, R. Ji, J. J. Bisagni, C-S., Chen, S. M. A. Hakkinen, D. B. Haidvogel, J. Wang, E. Head, P. Smith, and A. Conversi (2012) Recent arctic climate change and its remote forcing of northwest Atlantic shelf ecosystems.
Oceanography
, 25 (3), 208-213.
Greene, C. H., J. J. Bisagni et al. (2013) Remote climate forcing of decadal-scale regime shifts in Northwest Atlantic shelf ecosystems.
Limnology and Oceanography
, 58(3) 803-816.
Radlinski, M. K., M. A. Sundermeyer, J. J. Bisagni, and S. X. Cadrin, (2013) Spatial and temporal distribution of Atlantic mackerel (
Scomber scombrus
) along the northeast coast of the United States, 1985-1999. ICES Journal of Marine Science, doi:10.1093/ices/jms/fst029
Chaudhuri, Ayan H., Avijit Gangopadhyay, and James J. Bisagni, 2011. Contrasting response of the eastern and western North Atlantic circulation to an episodic climate event.
J. Phys. Oceanogr. 41
, 1630-1638. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2011JPO4512.1.
Bisagni, J. J., H-S. Kim, and A. Chaudhuri, 2009. Interannual variability of the shelf slope front position between 75° and 50° W.
J. Marine Syst. 78
(3), 337-350.
Chaudhuri, A.H., A. Gangopadhyay, and J.J. Bisagni, 2009. Interannual variability of Gulf Stream warm core rings in response to the North Atlantic Oscillation.
Cont. Shelf Res. 29
(7), p. 856-869.
Chaudhuri, A., J. J. Bisagni, and A. Gangopadhyay, 2009. Shelf water entrainment by Gulf Stream warm-core rings between 75° and 50°W from 1978-1999.
Cont. Shelf Res. 29
(2), 393-406.
Mesias, J. M., J. J. Bisagni and A.-M. E. G. Brunner, 2007. A high-resolution satellite-derived sea surface temperature climatology for the western North Atlantic Ocean.
Cont. Shelf Res. 27
, 191-207.
Steele, J. H., J. S. Collie, J. J. Bisagni, D. J. Gifford, M. J. Fogarty, J. S. Link, B. K. Sullivan, M. E. Sieracki, A. R. Beet, D. G. Mountain, E. G. Durbin, D. Palka, and W. T. Stockhausen, 2007. Balancing end-to-end budgets of the Georges Bank ecosystem.
Prog. Oceanogr. 74
, 423-448.
Bisagni, J.J., H.-S. Kim, and K.F. Drinkwater, 2006. Observations and modeling of shelf-slope front seasonal variability between 75° and 50° W.
Deep-Sea Res. II
, 53(23-24):2477-2500.
Bisagni, J.J., 2003. The seasonal cycles of nitrate supply and potential new production in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank regions.
J. Geophys. Res.
, 108(C11), 8015, doi:10.1029/2001JC001136.
Gangopadhyay, A., A.R. Robinson, P.J. Haley, W.J. Leslie, C.J. Lozano, J.J. Bisagni and Z. Yu, 2003. Feature-oriented regional modeling and simulations (FORMS) in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank.
Cont. Shelf Res.
, 23:317-353.
Wishner, K.F., D.J. Gifford, B.K. Sullivan, J.J. Bisagni, D.M. Outram, and D.D. Van Keuren, 2003. The biological signature of Scotian Shelf Water crossovers on Georges Bank during spring 1997.
J. Geophys. Res.
, 108(C11), 8014, doi:10.1029/2001JC001266.
Bisagni, J.J., K.W. Seemann, and T.P. Mavor, 2001. High-resolution satellite-derived sea surface temperature variability over the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank region, 1993-1996.
Deep-Sea Res. II
, 48:71-94.
Mavor, T. P. and J. J. Bisagni, 2001. Seasonal variability of sea surface temperature fronts on Georges Bank.
Deep-Sea Res. II
, 48:215-244.
Bisagni, J.J., 2000. Estimates of vertical heat flux and stratification from southern Georges Bank, interannual variability, 1985-1995.
Cont. Shelf Res.
, 20:211-231
Students
Marco Pedulli
has broad interests in education, polar oceanography, photography and public outreach programs. He is currently part
of an ecosystem-modeling research group for the Southern Ocean. His research emphasizes on computing nutrient drawdown, potential
new production and export of particulate biogenic carbon out the euphotic zone in the waters off the
estern
ntarctic
eninsula (
WAP
region using both observational and model data from the
outhern
cean -
Glob
al Ocean
Ec
osystem Dynamics (
SO-GLOBEC
– www.usglobec.org)
and
Pal
mer
ong
erm
cological
esearch (
PAL LTER
– pal.lternet.edu) Programs.
Marco holds a B.S. in Marine Biology and Fisheries and a M.S. in Coastal Management and worked in different capacities as educator
and mentor of undergraduate students and volunteer in various aquaria. He is presently finalizing his doctoral studies in oceanography.
Jennifer Berlinghoff
is interested in coastal wetland change, especially in the dynamic environment of southern Louisiana.
She gained experience with vegetation transects and shoreline survey data collection and analysis, while working in
the salt marsh and mangrove habitats of the Mississippi River Delta Plain, in the years following the Mississippi Canyon Block 252 (MC252) oil spill.
Jennifer received a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University at Buffalo. Since 2009, she has worked for Applied Coastal
Research and Engineering (Cape Cod, MA), as an environmental scientist/coastal geographic information systems analyst.
A majority of Jen's work has been in the Gulf of Mexico related to wetland change and sediment transport. She is currently working
towards a Professional Science Master's Degree in Coastal Administration, Science, and Technology.
Micheline (Michie) Labrie
has interests in marine mammal management. Working with marine mammals and sea turtles, she completed internships at the Marine Animal Rehabilitation
and Conservation Program at the University of New England and the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Micheline graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.S. in Biology.
While at UNH she worked as a research assistant looking at various symbiotic microbes, which can influence metabolism and cycling of
inorganic nitrogen in the giant barrel sponge,
Xestospongia muta
. Micheline is currently finishing up her work with the giant barrel
sponge and is continuing her studies as a student in the Professional Science Master's program.
Gillian Lake
has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and recently completed a graduate certification in environmental policy here at UMass Dartmouth.
Her analytical experience includes method development, raw material analysis, fluid analysis and coated product analysis. At Polaroid Corporation she helped
implement and managed two analytical laboratories. Gillian's academic interests including point source pollution, fisheries and estuaries.
Jasmine Smith-Gillen
graduated with a Bachelor's in marine biology from Boston University in 2003. Since then, she has worked at non-profit organizations
as an environmental educator. She teaches elementary-aged children science concepts during field trips and in classroom programs. She also writes grants, develops
new curricula, and maintains saltwater aquariums at her work's Visitor Center. Ms. Smith-Gillen is a part-time PSM student. Her interests include the local gray seal
population and the ecological impacts of offshore wind facilities.
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