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Researchers:
Jackson O. Blanton (emeritus). Transport and mixing in shallow coastal waters and
estuaries
James R. Nelson (associate). Coastal Ocean Optics and Observatories
Dana K. Savidge (assistant). Shelf circulation and deep ocean western boundary
currents.
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Physical Oceanographers investigate circulation in the open ocean, on
continental shelves and in estuaries, and the processes and forces affecting
that circulation. This is done using observations and analytical or numerical
modeling. At SkIO, we use a wide variety of observational techniques, including
collecting data from ships, from moored instrumentation or real-time
semi-permanent intrumentation on shelf towers, and from remote observations -
satellites and shore-mounted radars. Modeling of important processes is a vital
component, accomplished through collaborations with investigators at other
institutions.
Starting at the shelf edge, SkIO scientists study Gulf Stream variability. Gulf
Stream meandering upwells cold nutrient rich water onto the outer shelf along
the South Atlantic Bight, supporting large quantities of new production on the
shelf. Outer and midshelf responses to wind, wave and Gulf Stream forcing
affect the alongshelf and crossshelf transport of nutrients, phytoplankton, and
zooplankton. These transports are important to fish life histories,
particularly in the early planktonic egg and larval stages of shelf edge
spawning, estuarine-dependent, commercially or recreationally important species.
Tides on the Georgia and South Carolina coasts are particularly strong, and are
an important component of shelf circulation. On the inner shelf, buoyancy
effects from freshwater runoff and large air-sea heat fluxes become important as
well. Friction and the effects of bathymetry become especially important in the
estuaries and tidal marshes in and around our extensive barrier islands.
In addition to studies along the SAB coastline, SkIO physical oceanographers
investigate circulation in a variety of locations around the world, including
the Great Lakes, Cape Hatteras North Carolina, the North Atlantic, Portugal, and
the west Antarctic Peninsula. We support one of the longest nearly continuously
operating coastal observatories in the world, which now includes a recently
installed benthic observatory to examine exchange between the water column the
underlying permeable sand ocean bottom. We are utilizing a variety of new and
developing instrumentation, including a SeaSciences Acrobat (a towed undulating
vehicle carrying CTD and nitrate sampler), an RDI 600 kHz five-beam ADCP (VADCP)
for examining turbulent stuctures at the midshelf, and a shore-mounted WERA
HF-radar system, for measuring currents, waves, and winds all across the Georgia
shelf. Satelite imagery is routinely collected and ground-truthed through
in-situ optical instrumentation, deployed from ships and longer-term from the
towers.
Recent examples of projects can be viewed by clicking one of the topics
highlighted below. |
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| SABSOON/SEACOOS/SEACOORA
BOTTOMS-UP
WERA HF-radar
FINCH
WAP
In-situ satellite calibration project
Estuarine Circulation -- The competing effects of density and tidally-driven
circulation in estuaries. Analyses of data in several of Georgia's coastal plain estuaries have provided
information on the response of the density structure to forcing due to wind on
the continental shelf. A particular focus deals with secondary circulation in
curving channels.
Tidal Asymmetry -- Factors that distort tidal currents in estuaries and tidal
creeks.
The distortion of the M2 tide in shallow estuaries plays an important role in
sediment and salt transport. Factors such as friction and channel morphology
generate shallow water overtides such as M4 and M6. When these are added to the
M2 tidal current, maximum ebb and flood are shifted closer to high or low water
resulting in a tidal current that is distorted from the M2 component. Whether
the shift goes toward low or high water depends on the hyposometric curve of the
surrounding salt marshes.
Estuarine-Ocean Exchange -- Processes that govern exchange of water between
estuaries and oceans.
Research is being focused on the net transport through tidal inlets and the
controlling dynamics. Present studies suggest that axial transport of water and
salt is achieved through a competition of tidally-induced and discharge-induced
flows. In a multiple inlet system sych as found in Georgia, this competition
varies from inlet to inlet. Interannual cariations in freshwater discharge to
Georfia estuaries greatly affect the inland penetration of salt to Georgia's
estuarine system.
Larval Transport -- Circulation that affects the transport of larvae on the
continental shelf and in estuaries.
A 4-year study, sponsored jointly by South Carolina and Georgia Sea Grant
Programs, has been completed on oceanographic factors affecting the transport of
larvae from the continental shelf to estuarine nursey grounds (GA Sea Grant
Final Report, Key Factors Influencing Transport of White Shrimp Postlarvae in
Southeastern U.S. Estuaries). A combination of field studies and numerical
simulations revealed the importance of the fortnightly tidal cycle and
continental shelf winds on creating conditions favorable for larval transport
through tidal inlets.
Grove's Creek Study |
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| Coastal & Estuarine Physics |
The Coastal & Estuarine Physics group investigates the processes that affect circulation on continental shelves and in estuaries. Numerical simulations of these processes are conducted in cooperation with other institutions. Circulation and mixing processes covered under these topics are related to (1) buoyancy forces provided primarily by freshwater discharge, (2) tidal energy dissipation, and (3) wind stress. |
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| South Atlantic Bight Synoptic Offshore Observational Network (SABSOON) |
| A real-time observational network has been developed on the U.S. Southeastern continental shelf. Eight large offshore platforms, currently operated by the U.S. Navy for flight training, are being instrumented to provide a range of oceanographic and meteorological observations on a continuous real-time basis.
The tower grid covers an area of 115 km x 50 km and a depth range of 25 m to 45m. An existing communications system allows high-bandwidth, real-time data transmission to shore. The network is being designed to facilitate additions of instrumentation and access to the communications system by other researchers.
This unique system represents a significant resource for the oceanographic community, providing synoptic observations of large scale oceanographic processes in a continental shelf setting in real-time, and allowing the development of an interannual to decadal database on ocean atmosphere interactions. As designed, the network is capable of providing important information on cross-shelf exchange, storm effects, and atmospheric transport. Real-time video observations of an artificial reef habitat provide information for fisheries management and research.
Archived and real-time data may be used by weather forecasters, by mariners, and by resource managers for regional management decisions. Real-time data is currently available via the world wide web. |
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| Coastal Ocean Processes (CoOP) Program |
The Coastal Ocean Processes (CoOP) Program is an NSF OTIC effort to conduct large-scale, interdisciplinary research to improve our quantitative understanding of the processes that dominate the transports, transformations and fates of biologically, chemically and geologically important matter within continental margin systems. This effort developed from an NSF-sponsored workshop held in 1987 to build consensus in the academic coastal ocean scientific community regarding priorities for coastal zone research. Support of CoOP currently comes from the National Science Foundation. In the past, both the Office of Naval Research and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have funded CoOP planning activities as well as field process studies.
The CoOP Office moved to the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography with Dr. Richard Jahnke as Chair in 2000. Prior Chairs have been Drs. Ken Brink of WHOI and Mike Roman of UMCES. In addition to the Chair, CoOP is guided by a Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) of scientists from institutions throughout the US and Canada. Members are drawn equally from the five major oceanographic disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Geological and Physical Oceanography, and Marine Meterology. The Committee members generally serve a three year rotation. |
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| Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT) |
The Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT) is a NOAA funded partnership of research institutions, state and regional resource managers, and private sector companies interested in developing and applying sensor technologies for monitoring and studying coastal environments. |
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| There is widespread agreement that for the successful implementation of an Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), and for effective coastal science and resource management, parallel efforts in instrument development and validation are required so that capable existing technologies can be recognized and so that promising new technologies can make the transition from research/development to operational status. Thus, ACT was established to serve as:
An unbiased, third-party testbed for evaluating new and developing coastal sensor and sensor platform technologies.
A comprehensive coastal technology specification/performance information clearinghouse.
A forum for capacity building through a series of annual workshops on specific technologies.
ACT Headquarters is located at the UMCES Chesapeake Biological Laboratory and is staffed by a Director, Chief Scientist, and several support personnel. There are currently seven ACT Partner institutions around the country with sensor technology expertise that represent a broad range of environmental conditions for testing. The ACT Stakeholder Council is comprised of resource managers and industry representatives who ensure that ACT focuses on service-oriented activities. Finally, a larger body of Alliance Members has been created to provide advice to ACT, and are kept abreast of ACT activities. |
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