Monitoring red tide with satellite imagery and numerical models: a case study in the Arabian Gulf.
A red tide event that occurred in August 2008 in the Arabian Gulf was monitored and assessed using satellite observations and numerical models. Satellite observations revealed the bloom extent and evolution from August 2008 to August 2009. Flow patterns of the bloom patch were confirmed by results from a HYCOM model. HYCOM data and satellite-derived sea surface temperature data further suggested that the bloom could have been initiated offshore and advected onshore by bottom Ekman layer. Analysis indicated that nutrient sources supporting the bloom included upwelling, Trichodesmium, and dust deposition while other potential sources of nutrient supply should also be considered. In order to monitor and detect red tide effectively and provide insights into its initiation and maintenance mechanisms, the integration of multiple platforms is required. The case study presented here demonstrated the benefit of combing satellite observations and numerical models for studying red tide outbreaks and dynamics.
Institute Center for Water and Environment (iWATER), Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Masdar City, PO Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: jzhao@masdar.ac.ae.
Jun
J
Zhao
Institute Center for Water and Environment (iWATER), Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Masdar City, PO Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Hosni
H
Ghedira
D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000254:growth & development; D004141:Dinoflagellida / Q000254:growth & development*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D057097:Harmful Algal Bloom; D015233:Models, Statistical; D058998:Remote Sensing Technology / Q000379:methods; D063809:Satellite Imagery; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry
Arabian Gulf; Numerical model; Red tide; Remote sensing; Upwelling