Using Gliders to Resolve Dynamics of Dust and Phytoplankton in the Mediterranean

摘要

Optical properties are complex representing variable contributions of phytoplankton, Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM), marine and atmospherically derived non-algal particles. The relative contributions of these are particularly complex for enclosed inland seas such as the Mediterranean. Results have shown that it is especially critical to collect regional ocean color data from satellites, which must be complemented with spatial subsurface measurements, which can be measured with the physical/optical sensor packages mounted on Webb gliders. We propose to use Webb Gliders to provide a regional subsurface physical and optical dataset to support ship-based NASA, NATO, and ONR efforts being conducted in the Mediterranean in late spring 2008 and early autumn 2009. The Gliders will be used to map the subsurface features over monthly timescales and assess to what degree the non-algal particles are spatially and temporally correlated in space and time.