The CoastalObs Project is a collaborative effort between the Center for Innovative technology (CIT), NASA Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), NOAA and a number of governmental, academic and nonacademic partners. The program's main focus is to monitor the physical and biogeochemical state of the Virginia coastal ocean region through the development, deployment and use of various ocean observation tools. Coastal regions within the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) are directly influenced by regional freshwater fluxes that emanate from several large bay systems (Delaware and Chesapeake Bays). The outflows from these bays have high sediment loads and high levels of nutrients, particulate and dissolved organic matter (POM, DOM) that heavily influence the adjacent coastal margin ecosystems. In addition to this, this coastal region is downwind of a large number of metropolitan and industrial regions and the influence of these also impacts the region through airshed fluxes. Our effort is developing and deploying an observing system aimed at characterizing and monitoring this coastal region in order to understand the impact of climate change and continued anthropogenic influences. A primary focus of this effort is to develop and apply cutting edge technologies and methodologies to support research, observation/monitoring efforts and management applications on the coastal ocean. A second focus is to develop and test new sensors, platforms, and applications that can be used to enhance this observing system and additionally support NOAA and NASA coastal ocean remote sensing activities and products. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this program, please contact Brian Campbell, Education Manager. |