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Chuanmin Hu
Chuanmin Hu
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Optical Oceanography, University of South Florida

ROSES Proposal

Deciphering Sargassum Physics, Biology, and Physiology through PACE Measurements: Implications to Ocean Ecology, Biogeochemistry, and Management Decision Support (2020)
Co-Is: Gustavo Jorge Goni, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory; Brian Lapointe, Florida Atlantic University

Applied Research Topic

Various types of floating macroalgae and floating microalgae have been reported in global oceans and lakes, including Ulva, Sargassum, Noctiluca, cyanobacteria (e.g., microcystics, Trichodesmium), among others. While detecting them using multi-band sensors (e.g., MODIS, VIIRS, OLCI) is possible with some a priori knowledge of the local environment, fingerprinting their types spectrally is more difficult. The hyperspectral capacity of PACE should make it possible to perform spectral diagnostics of their unique spectral features due to various pigment absorptions and backscattering properties. Through using simulated data and data collected by prototype sensors (HICO, DESIS, etc), the project will develop algorithm for spectral discrimination of floating algae and organisms/materials for the regions of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, Florida Straits, and South Atlantic Bight. In addition to floating algae, other floating organisms or materials (e.g., oil slicks, pumice rafts, large plastic patches) can also be identified spectrally through PACE measurements.

Significance

Improved detection and species discrimination of floating algae can be used by Federal and state agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Department of Health (DOH) to prepare mitigation efforts for macroalgae and cyanobacterial blooms. Further, this information can be helpful for coastal resource managers to prepare mitigation efforts for massive macroalgae beaching events. Lastly, boaters and beach goers can indirectly benefit from detection and discrimination of floating algae through increased awareness and improved ecological planning.

Why PACE

PACE has enough spectral bands in the 380 - 1000 nm spectral region and in the shortwave infrared spectral region (1.2 and 1.6 μm) to spectrally differentiate and quantify various types of floating algae and organisms/materials. The hyperspectral capacity of PACE should make it possible to perform spectral diagnostics of their unique spectral features due to various pigment absorptions and backscattering properties.

End User(s)

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
US Environmental Protection Agency
Ocean Ecologists & Researchers

Publications

Hu, C. (2009). A novel ocean color index to detect floating algae in the global oceans. Remote Sens. Environ. 113 :2118 :2129, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2009.05.012.

Hu, C., D. Li, C. Chen, J. Ge, F. E. Muller-Karger, J. Liu, F. Yu, and M-X He (2010). On the recurrent Ulva prolifera blooms in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea. J. Geophys. Res. 115, C05017, DOI: 10.1029/2009JC005561.

Qi, L., C. Hu, K. MIkelsons, M. Wang, V. Lance, S. Sun, B. B. Barnes, J. Zhao, and D. V. der Zande (2020). In search of floating algae and other organisms in global oceans and lakes. Remote Sens. Environ., 239, 111659, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2020.111659.


Read about an Early Adopter project that is related to Chuanmin Hu's SAT work
Sargassum collected along coastlines, as shown here in Bavaro, Punta Cana
Too much Sargassum can present challenges for marine life and becomes problematic when it collects along coastlines, as shown here in Bavaro, Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
Sargassum density in July 2018
Sargassum density in July 2018. Scientists used NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on Terra and Aqua satellites to discover the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB), which started in 2011. It has occurred nearly every year and often stretches from the west coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico. (Map courtesy of NASA Earth Observatory. Data provided by Mengqiu Wang and Chuanmin Hu, USF College of Marine Science)
Microscope image of Noctiluca, a marine dinoflagellate
Microscope image of Noctiluca, a marine dinoflagellate. It is an HAB species because of its ability to deplete oxygen levels in the water and clog other organisms’ gills.(Image courtesy of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science and Phytopia)

Science Meeting Presentations (2)

PACE Measurements of Sargassum Macroalgae
Hu, C. (06-Oct-21)
PACE Measurements of Sargassum macroalgae
Hu, C., Goni, G.J., and Lapointe, B. (03-Jun-20)