Biological Patchiness in Relation to Satellite Thermal Imagery and Associated Chemical Mesoscale Features

摘要

The presence of biological patches, or communities, can have a direct effect on Naval operations, scientific research, and fisheries. It is shown that remote infrared satellite sensing may be used as a real-time tool to accurately locate thermally and biologically significant features. Several physical, chemical, and biological variables were sampled in the surface layer of mesoscale thermal features which were located using satellite imagery. The bio-chemical sampling produced replicate results from which the distribution of biomass could be inferred. Possible explanations are advanced for patch forming mechanisms and biomass distribution. (Author)