GNATS-SAT: A dataset combining field and satellite observations for carbon monitoring in the Gulf of Maine
Abstract
The oceans play a vital role in the global carbon cycle, and, relative to their size, coastal waters and continental shelf seas are estimated to contribute disproportionately towards oceanic carbon exchange and uptake of carbon dioxide. Carbon cycling supports the base of marine ecosystems, hence monitoring carbon stocks and fluxes in shelf seas is vital for coastal communities as these waters are of great economic importance in terms of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism. Here we present a dataset (GNATS-SAT) which combines 20 years of ocean color satellite data and field measurements from the long-running Gulf of Maine North Atlantic Time Series (GNATS). The field measurements cover the four different pools of carbon found in aquatic environments (particulate organic carbon, particulate inorganic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, dissolved inorganic carbon) and two key carbon pathways in marine ecosystems (primary productivity and calcification). Using GNATS-SAT we are evaluating the performance of existing remote sensing methods to estimate carbon standing stocks and fluxes with a view to adapting these methods, or creating new methods as necessary, to address stakeholder needs. The existing aquatic carbon remote sensing methods were developed for oceanic ecosystems where phytoplankton are the main drivers of the ocean color signal, but the Gulf of Maine is a coastal shelf sea and other materials influence the ocean color signal. Consequently, we have found the existing algorithms do not perform as well within this environment and are exploring new approaches to improve remote sensing methods for measuring and monitoring carbon pools and fluxes within this region.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021AGUFM.B23A..05M