Project Page Views: [ 658 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | Cullen Fellowship - Remote Sensing |
| Research Area | EPA Water Pillar: Ecosystem Services and Sustainability |
| Project Acronym | |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Dr. Fiona Cawkwell |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | University College Cork (UCC) |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 51.894293508736574,-8.489440441180705 |
| Lead Funding Entity | Marine Institute |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 01/08/2015 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 31/07/2019 |
| Project Website (if any) | n/a |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Ocean colour, sensors, remoting sensing, water, sea surface height, circulation patterns, observation |
| Project Abstract | The goal of this project is to characterise the spatio-temporal trends in ocean colour and their relationship with selected key surface ocean circulation patterns around Ireland by analysis of a combination of satellite derived observations. The project will exploit existing daily ocean colour satellite derived products and thus bypass time-consuming data pre-processing, given the work that has already been invested in ocean product development by international partnerships. However, as there are a number of products which could be used, each derived from different instruments or combinations of instruments and using slightly different empirical approaches, it is essential to determine which is the most appropriate to use in Irish waters. For the purposes of this project therefore, the focus will be on case 1 waters, namely the open ocean where the inherent optical properties are dominated by phytoplankton (as opposed to coastal and inland waters where there is also dissolved organic matter and inorganic mineral particles). Cloud cover presents one of the key challenges to Earth Observation activities in maritime mid-latitudes using optical reflectance information, therefore time will be spent evaluating the optimal compositing time periods and data value calculation from daily data, and not relying on pre-defined standard periods. Having successfully developed an ocean colour climatology from daily data validated against historical in situ information, surface trends and patterns at varying spatial and temporal scales will be assessed, and selected features evaluated in more detail using sea surface anomaly information derived from satellite altimetry data and sea surface temperature information from spaceborne thermal sensors. Finally, an appraisal of existing and planned satellite sensors (e.g. Sentinels) and in situ data collection systems will be undertaken, to identify any potential challenges that could preclude routine monitoring of Irish waters, as well as opportunities for the development of new products. |