Ocean Colour from Space
Introduction to Earth Observation
[Optional: slide introducing presenters]
What is a satellite?
What is a satellite?
What is Earth Observation?
'Earthrise' - Apollo 8 Mission, 1968
What is Earth Observation?
'Earthrise' - Apollo 8 Mission, 1968
Where on Earth..?
1.
Eiffel Tower,
A quick quiz
Where on Earth..?
1.
Eiffel Tower,
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Image from very high-resolution WorldView-2 Satellite
2.
2.
Antarctica
This is actually a mosaic image made up of lots of smaller satellite images, because Antarctica is so big!
3.
3.
Mount Everest
Image from very high-resolution GeoEye-1 Satellite
4.
Bonus: Can you identify some man-made and natural features?
4.
London, UK
Image from the Sentinel-2 satellite (10m resolution)
5.
What do you think the bright orange feature is?
Can you identify any other interesting features?
5.
La Palma, Canary Islands
During an eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano!
This is an infrared image, meaning it can detect the lava flow due to its heat causing it to appear very bright.
6.
What is the main feature you can see in this image?
Where do you think this could be?
6.
Hurricane Katrina, Gulf of Mexico
This is a satellite image of hurricane Katrina in 2005 in the Gulf of Mexico, starting to move across the southern states of the USA.
Sometimes cloud and weather can block satellite images, but in some cases, like this one, you want to track the cloud and weather in order to warn those that may be affected.
Ocean Colour from Space
Why are the oceans important to study?
The ocean is the foundation of all life on Earth, and our planet ecosystems depends on the health of the ocean to support and sustain it.
Take two minutes to brainstorm what you already know, thinking about the following questions:
1. How much of planet Earth is Ocean?
2. What role do the oceans play in regulating our climate and why is this important?
3. Who/what is the ocean important for, maybe think about what lives in the oceans and who uses the oceans?
Oceans from Space
Oceans from Space
Photo: Google Earth
As you may have figured out, oceans cover 70% of Earth's surface and hold 97% of the water on Earth. That is why Earth is often called the ‘blue planet’.
We don’t often view Earth from the perspective of the Pacific Ocean, but it really highlights just how much of our Earth is ocean.
The Blue Planet
Breathe... Now breathe again... Now thank the ocean!
Did you know the oceans produce 50% of the oxygen we breath, so for every two breaths, we have the oceans to thank!
The oceans help to regulate the Earth's climate by absorbing and storing atmospheric carbon in the deep ocean. This happens through: (1) the biological pump, where the inhabitants within the ocean transfer carbon from the surface to the sea bed and; (2) through the physical pump, where ocean circulation transfers carbon to the depths.
The oxygen we breath and Earth's climate regulation
Oceans from Space
Photo: ESA
The oceans are home to many plants and animals.
The ocean ecosystem is highly sensitive to change.
Habitats and biodiversity
Oceans from Space
Oceans from Space
The economy
Oceans from Space
The ocean provides food for both humans and animals.
~3 billion people rely on seafood as their primary source of protein!
However, 85% of marine fish stocks are now fully exploited or overfished.
Food Source
Photo: Commercial and Sport Fishing
As climate change threatens planet Earth, we need to find alternative renewable energy sources.
The power of the oceans, through the waves, tides or winds, can generate renewable energy.change.
Renewable Energy
Oceans from Space
Photo: Power Engineering International
How can satellites help us study the ocean?
Oceans from Space
Satellites cannot see the ocean floor, so just how can they help us map how deep the ocean is? The surface of the ocean/sea surface height, changes with the topography (the height and location of ocean landforms) of the ocean floor and can be measured using a type of satellite sensor called radar altimetry. Sea surface height can be used to infer sea level rise caused by climate change.
How deep is the ocean?
Oceans from Space
Photo: NOAA
The oceans are so vast and most of its inhabitants are highly mobile and spend large amounts of time below the surface, meaning it is very challenging to study wildlife. Scientists are using very high resolution images of Earth to spy on whales, walrus, seals, penguins, albatross and even krill from space!
Wildlife from Space
Oceans from Space
Climate change and warming oceans are causing coral bleaching (the process in which corals release the symbiotic algae living in their tissues). To map the effects of climate change on coral reefs, optical satellites are being used to detect beaching. Scientists are also using SST measurements to forecast potential hotspots for bleaching.
Mapping Coral Reefs and Coral Bleaching
Oceans from Space
Photo: ESA
Learn more:
https://www.allencoralatlas.org/
Ocean surface currents, primarily driven by winds, form part of the wider global ocean circulation. They help to move heat around the world, which is an important part of the oceans role in regulating the world's climate.As with mapping the sea floor, changes in sea surface height (measured using radar altimetry) can be used to map ocean surface currents.
Ocean Circulation/Ocean Surface Currents
Oceans from Space
Photo: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio
Mapping SST is important, as heat exchange from the ocean drives global weather and climate and ocean warming can effect animal behaviour and cause coral bleaching.
SST and SSS are also important drivers for global ocean circulation.
Satellites using long wave microwave and infrared wavelengths, can help to measure SST and SSS.
Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and Sea Surface Salinity (SSS)
Oceans from Space
Photo: Olivier et al. (2020) https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JC016641
Light reflected from the Earth's surface in the visible wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum can tell us information about ocean colour. This in turn can be used to estimate chlorophyll concentrations (the pigment in phytoplankton responsible for photosynthesis) and so inform us of harmful algal blooms, and can be used to understand other ocean constituents such as suspended sediments.
Ocean Colour
Oceans from Space
Photo: NOAA
What is Plankton?
Oceans from Space
Why is it Important?
Oceans from Space
Plankton is a Primary Producer
How Can We See Plankton from Space?
Oceans from Space
What is colour?
How Can We See Plankton from Space?
Oceans from Space
Refraction & Dispersion
How Can We See Plankton from Space?
Oceans from Space
How Can We See Plankton from Space?
Oceans from Space
How Can We See Plankton from Space?
Oceans from Space
How Can We See Plankton from Space?
Oceans from Space
How Can We See Plankton from Space?
Oceans from Space
How Can We See Plankton from Space?
Oceans from Space
Activity 1: Blooms from Space
Oceans from Space
Follow link to StoryMap and explore the map showing phytoplankton algae blooms and answer the following questions:
Activity 2: Plankton The Basis of Life
Oceans from Space
Watch the video and answer the following questions:
Oceans from Space
What have we learnt today?
Oceans from Space
As you watch the next video, think about these questions:
1. What threats do the scientists mention?
2. What do the scientists say might happen to the oceans and life on Earth as a result of these threats?
3. What do the scientists say we can do to change the future of our oceans?
Our actions are putting the heath of the oceans at risk
Oceans from Space