Integrating Satellite and Model data for Event Monitoring in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Eurico
J
D'Sa, Louisiana State University, ejdsa@lsu.edu
(Presenting)
Dong
S
Ko, Naval Research Laboratory, ko@nrlssc.navy.mil
Mitsuko
Korobkin, Louisiana State University, mmurak1@lsu.edu
Energetic events such as hurricanes and frontal systems frequently impact coastal regions along the northern Gulf of Mexico. An integrated system that includes field, satellite and a 3-dimensional circulation model is being implemented for the Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas coastal region. Satellite data was used in combination with model outputs to examine the impact of a cold front outbreak on the suspended particulate matter (includes particulate organic and inorganic matter) field in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The latest 12.5 km wind product from QuikSCAT provided a synoptic view of the frontal passage while sea surface temperature (SST) from MODIS indicated cooling of nearshore waters following the cold front outbreak. Sea level and current outputs of a 372 x 200 grid (27 – 30.5° N latitude, 82.2° - 95.5° W longitude) nested navy coastal ocean model (NCOM) with 1/64° horizontal resolution suggested a strong response to the wind field. Ocean color derived suspended particulate matter (SPM) imagery indicated resuspension and current reversals to strongly influence the SPM field in the nearshore waters. The combination of satellite and model outputs provided a better understanding of the physical forcing on the SPM field in the river-dominated coastal region.
NASA Carbon Cycle & Ecosystems Active Awards Represented by this Poster: