SATELLITE OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE AZORES: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Transcription

1 SATELLITE OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE AZORES: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE Oceanography Section / DOP University of the Azores Ana Martins anamartins@uac.pt

2 Azores (NE Atlantic) - very exposed to harsh environments (ocean/atmosphere) where natural catastrophes are frequent, largely affecting day-to-day local population activities and life. Azores (NE Atlantic) - provide a key area in the Atlantic for continuous oceanic monitoring of many diverse habitats and ecosystems. Azores (NE Atlantic) - an excellent opportunity for remote observation of basin scale ocean circulation and its effect on long-term climate changes.

3 Outline

4 Station HAZO

5 ( HAZO system developed at DOP/UAz. Satellite images are automatically processed by integrating standard source programs. A database containing image meta-info is formed and statistical products are generated. GIS integration and backup tools are also provided.

6 Regional Masters: 1 km resolution

7 AZODC (AZORES OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA CENTRE)

8 Outline

9 Scientific Cruises (last 9 years) (average= 8 to 10 cruises per year)

10

11 IN SITU DATA AND SATELLITE EVALUATION

12 Satellite match-up analyses

13 Outline

14

15 CONDOR SEAMOUNT

16 Chl-a (mg/ml) Jun02 Sep02 Dec02 Mar03 Jun03 Sep03 Dec03 Mar04 Jun04 Sep04 Dec04 Mar05 Jun05 Sep05 Dec05 Mar06 Jun06 Sep06 Dec06 Mar07 Jun07 Sep07 Dec07 Mar08 Jun08 Chl-a concentration (mg/ml) SST and OC variability in coastal waters Chl-a concentration - Faial Months SST sround Santa Maria islands 7 year - averaged montly Chl-a concentration Corvo Faial Terceira Graciosa Santa Maria Flores Pico Sao Jorge Sao Miguel Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month

17 Azores Current Azores Islands

18 Large scale processes and dynamics (climate change) Intra-annual/Seasonal variability of the SNAC = 90% Intra-annual/Seasonal variability of the AzC = 70%

19 250 m resolution

20

21 VICE Cruise

22 RECENTLY National delegate: EARSEL (European Association for Remote Sensing Laboratories A European Network) Member of the Group/Panel experts KOM-GTE-SPACE-GMES (GPPQ Portuguese FP7 Promotion Office) Member of the Earth Observation Group within NEREUS (Network of European Regions Using Space Technologies) Member of the OC-Portugal recently created group. Partner of SMOS Mission Oceanographic Data Exploitation (COST)

23 Outline

24 SUMMARY Extensive decadal in situ cruise surveying Introduction of satellite technology + outreach component (promote public awareness on marine conservation and provide relevant data for decision makers) Integration of Regional/National/International projects (i.e. larger effort to develop and enhance scientific and technological competences for a better understanding of the coastal/oceanic Azores ecosystem structure and functioning). Installation of an operational network/platform for an efficient Azores Ocean Monitoring and Environmental Management

25 RECENTELY

26 CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES APPLIED TO OCEAN MONITORING: HF RADAR Proposed pilot project Operational system for coastal waters monitoring in the Azores (HF radars in Central Group of Islands (RADAR-COAST-I)

27 REGIONAL OBJECTIVES / INTERESTS FOR APPLICATION OF GMES Data users: mainly all GMES ocean products (SST, OC, radar, etc) Data providers: in situ data (ex: ESONET, EXONET, MOMARNET, oceanographic cruises, fixed moorings, other) (Data policy?) Cal/Val site : Azores oceanic region (NE Atlantic) Case 1 waters Scientific Interest / Future collaboration (FP7): Satellite data merging, regional algorithm developments, climate change (coupledphysical biological processes), development of new ocean products, regional emergency response, radar technology, etc Possible applications of GMES for Azores downstream services include: maritime surveillance; maritime safety; monitoring of water quality; environmental protection and management; maritime forecasts; and ocean production.

28 If nothing else works, then why not? CREATING NEW ART!...

29 THANK YOU!