Marine Science Faculty Publications

Bio-optical Water Quality Dynamics Observed from MERIS in Pensacola Bay, Florida

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2016

Keywords

Bio-optical water quality, Estuary, Remote sensing, MERIS, Pensacola bay

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2016.02.003

Abstract

Observed bio-optical water quality data collected from 2009 to 2011 in Pensacola Bay, Florida were used to develop empirical remote sensing retrieval algorithms for chlorophyll a (Chla), colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and suspended particulate matter (SPM). Time-series of the three bio-optical water quality variables were generated from MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) observations from 2003 to 2011. Bio-optical water quality in this estuary exhibited spatial and temporal variations that were correlated to river discharge and wind. Both annual mean and monthly mean bio-optical water quality variables were positively correlated to river discharge. Monthly mean bio-optical water quality variables were also positively correlated to wind speed and wind density (defined by the number of days with daily mean wind speed > 3 m s−1 in a month) over this estuary. These results indicate that bio-optical water quality dynamics in this estuary are vulnerable to changes in river discharge and river constituent loads and local weather conditions such as winter storms and hurricanes.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, v. 173, p. 26-38

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