Project Funding: 2013 - 2015

NRA: 2012 NASA: Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry   

Funded by NASA

Abstract:
We propose to use analysis of remote sensing products and numerical ocean simulations to address the following questions: " How do marine phytoplankton composition and community size structure vary regionally, on seasonal, inter-annual and longer-term timescales? " What are the optical signatures of these changes that are detectable from space, and can we discern short-term variability from longer-term trends in community structure and size? " What are the physical and biological interactions that underpin these variations? " What is the impact of the variability in phytoplankton composition and community size structure on biogeochemical cycles? To this end we propose to: (1) Characterize spatial and temporal variability of satelliteestimated optical properties and satellite-derived products including backscattering, absorption coefficients, chlorophyll, particle size-spectrum, phytoplankton functional type and size. (2) Continue to develop and (qualitatively and quantitatively) evaluate the performance of the global simulations of ocean plankton and optical properties using in situ observations of optical properties, remotely-sensed reflectance, and other diagnostic products from remote sensing. (3) Test the algorithms underpinning the satellite-derived products using the synthetic data of the ocean model, where both radiative fluxes and properties of the water column are known. (4) Use the ocean simulations and idealized ecological theory to interpret the physical-biological mechanisms underpinning regional, seasonal and inter-annual changes in the character of plankton populations. (5) Use the ocean simulations within an earth system model to explore the trends in optical signatures related to long-term, global warming. (6) Examine the implications of the observed and simulated ecosystem variability for biogeochemical fluxes, including carbon cycling and air-sea exchange. The MIT group will lead the development and application of ocean simulations. Mouw (MTU) will lead the analysis of remotely sensed optical properties and derived-products. Interpretation, integration and evaluation of both satellite products and simulations will involve close collaboration between the MTU and MIT investigators.

Publications:

Dutkiewicz, S., Hickman, A. E., Jahn, O., Gregg, W. W., Mouw, C. B., Follows, M. J. 2015. Capturing optically important constituents and properties in a marine biogeochemical and ecosystem model. Biogeosciences. 12(14), 4447-4481. DOI: 10.5194/bg-12-4447-2015

Mouw, C. B., Barnett, A., McKinley, G. A., Gloege, L., Pilcher, D. 2016. Phytoplankton size impact on export flux in the global ocean. Global Biogeochemical Cycles. 30(10), 1542-1562. DOI: 10.1002/2015GB005355

2015 NASA Carbon Cycle & Ecosystems Joint Science Workshop Poster(s)

• Understanding the roles of multiple climate change drivers in altering phytoplankton habitats   --   (Stephanie Dutkiewicz, Jeff Morris, Michael Follows, Jeff Scott, Oliver Jahn, Sonya Dyhrman, Ilana Berman-Frank)   [abstract]

More details may be found in the following project profile(s):

• NASA Ocean Biology & Biogeochemistry (OBB) Project Profile