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Validation of Ocean Color Satellite Data Products in Under Sampled Marine AreasThe planktonic marine cyanobacterium, Trichodesmium sp., is broadly distributed throughout the oligotrophic marine tropical and sub-tropical oceans. Trichodesmium, which typically occurs in macroscopic bundles or colonies, is noteworthy for its ability to form large surface aggregations and to fix dinitrogen gas. The latter is important because primary production supported by N2 fixation can result in a net export of carbon from the surface waters to deep ocean and may therefore play a significant role in the global carbon cycle. However, information on the distribution and density of Trichodesmium from shipboard measurements through the oligotrophic oceans is very sparse. Such estimates are required to quantitatively estimate total global rates of N2 fixation. As a result current global rate estimates are highly uncertain. Thus in order to understand the broader biogeochemical importance of Trichodesmium and N2 fixation in the oceans, we need better methods to estimate the global temporal and spatial variability of this organism. One approach that holds great promise is satellite remote sensing. Satellite ocean color sensors are ideal instruments for estimating global phytoplankton biomass, especially that due to episodic blooms, because they provide relatively high frequency synoptic information over large areas. Trichodesmium has a combination of specific ultrastructural and biochemical features that lend themselves to identification of this organism by remote sensing. Specifically, these features are high backscatter due to the presence of gas vesicles, and absorption and fluorescence of phycoerythrin. The resulting optical signature is relatively unique and should be detectable with satellite ocean color sensors such as the Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS).
Document ID
20020016072
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Other
Authors
Subramaniam, Ajit
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD United States)
Hood, Raleigh R.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD United States)
Brown, Christopher W.
(National Environmental Satellite Service Camp Springs, MD United States)
Carpenter, Edward J.
(State Univ. of New York Stony Brook, NY United States)
Capone, Douglas G.
(University of Southern California CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2001
Publication Information
Publication: SIMBIOS Project
Subject Category
Oceanography
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-97131
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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