Salisbury, Joe: UNH (Project Lead)
Jonsson, Bror: Plymouth Marine Laboratory (Co-Investigator)
Vandemark, Douglas (Doug): Univ. of New Hampshire/EOS (Co-Investigator)
Project Funding:
2006 - 2008
Funded by NASA
Abstract:
The main objective of this proposal is to pursue strategies for the estimation of net ecosystem metabolism in estuarine-plume systems using a combination of modeled and satellite data.
A novel approach is proposed to track changes in carbonate chemistry, and thus NEM, in estuarine-plume systems based on modeled sea surface alkalinity and satellite-retrieved partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2). The approach will be tested at two sites: the Kennebec (ME) estuary-plume system, where we are presently involved in a long-term study of carbon cycling and productivity dynamics, and the Merrimack River, where we have begun to collect data for comparison with the Kennebec system. Temporally varying river alkalinity and DIC concentrations will be estimated using the UNH Water System's FRAMES model. These riverine endmembers will be distributed over the salinity gradient using a high-resolution version of the Princeton Ocean Model. Recent research at UNH and elsewhere suggests the potential for retrieving surface-water pCO2 using optical proxies. I propose to expand such research, studying the relationship of pCO2 to inherent and apparent optical properties and ultimately to satellite data. Merging of land-flux and coastal circulation models with the proposed NEM retrievals will enable synoptic monitoring of coastal metabolism and the tracking of its response to land-use, climate change, and variability in coastal circulation.
Publications:
Salisbury, J.E., M. Green, J. Campbell and C. Hunt. (2008) Episodic acidification of coastal waters: A threat to the shellfish industry? EOS Transactions, Vol. 89, 50-9.
Salisbury, J. E., Vandemark, D., Hunt, C. W., Campbell, J. W., McGillis, W. R., McDowell, W. H. 2008. Seasonal observations of surface waters in two Gulf of Maine estuary-plume systems: Relationships between watershed attributes, optical measurements and surface pCO2. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 77(2), 245-252. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2007.09.033
More details may be found in the following project profile(s):
