HIGP Remote Sensing Support for Ocean-related Science

1. Global assessment of coral reef health• SOEST collaborators

• Marlin Atkinson, HIMB• Eric Hochberg, HIMB• Paul Lucey, HIGP• Jeff Gillis, HIGP• Luke Flynn, HIGP• Funding (2000-2007): $3.3M; NASA, ONR

2. Quantifying groundwater discharge using thermal IR remote sensing• SOEST collaborators

• Craig Glenn, G&G• Paul Lucey, HIGP• Jeff Gillis, HIGP

Groundwater Discharge

Submarine groundwater discharge is detected using cold water thermal signature

Fluxes based on correlations of temperature and nutrient flow enable estimates of total groundwater discharge and coastal nutrient input using thermal IR surveys

Cold water runoff detected usingprecise (<<1 degree) thermal imaging using

HIGP airborne thermal imaging sensors

Global Assessment of Coral Reef Health

Atkinson and Hochberg (HIMB) discovered that living corals have a unique spectral signature that can be mapped using airborne hyperspectral images

This technique can be used from space to measure the abundance and distribution of all living coral on Earth

Current status is a collaboration between HIGP, HSFL, HIMB and NASA Ames Research Center to fly a hyperspectral sensor on HSFL launch #2

Funding targets Castle Foundation (March 1) Google (pursuant to Castle outcome) NASA SALMON Program (Standalone

Missions of Opportunity) (July 1)

Airborne Color

Live Coral

U.S. V. I.

Coral v Algae Spectra