Environmental
Technology Laboratory
ETL researchers collaborate with colleagues around the world to create advanced remote sensors to address environmental measurement challenges. Remote sensors use light, radio, and sound waves to observe distant ocean properties and processes. Ocean remote sensors can provide information vital to improved coastal forecasting and fisheries management.
Research at ETL encompasses all aspects of systems development. ETL takes a comprehensive approach to meet environmental measurement challenges through:
- theoretical and modeling studies,
- the design, development and testing of remote sensing instruments and techniques,
- the conceptualization and execution of field programs,
- and the acquisition and analysis of high-resolution environmental datasets.
Oceanic research themes at ETL which illustrate the integrated research process include:
Ocean Sensor Development
Remote sensing provides one of the few means for monitoring the earth's
oceans on a large scale. Satellites
provide critical insight into the coupled ocean atmosphere system and
are used to monitor and track severe storms such as hurricanes. Research
into airborne scanning
radiometer technology seeks to validate and extend satellite measurements
to include information about the sea-state and surface winds. ETL's collaboration
with the U.S. Air Force and Navy has demonstrated the potential of over-the-horizon
radars for mapping large scale surface currents. Underwater acoustic
monitoring of currents, fluxes and large-scale features such as El
Nino shows promise to further our understanding of the deep ocean.
Coastal Forecasting
Forecasting for coastal areas faces two fundamental challenges, the lack
of meteorological data over marine areas and the complex interactions
of sea and land. Seeking to increase the amount of data available to forecasters,
the ETL Satellite
Remote Sensing Group investigates techniques for satellite retrieval
over the ocean. Programs such as the California
Land-Falling Jets Experiment (CALJET) apply new sensors and systems
to enhance the forecast of severe West Coast storms. Incorporating data
from experimental sensors and air-sea
flux studies, the Regional
Coupled Model is used to study the complex dynamics of the coastal
region and improve sea-state forecasts.
Fisheries
Management
Instruments developed at ETL show promise for helping fisheries managers
monitor fish stocks and track sea surface currents which influence the
health of the coast zone. Fish
lidar has been flown for a number of population surveys in conjunction
with conventional sampling techniques. As an operational instrument, fish
lidar could allow scientists to conduct more accurate surveys over larger
areas at lower cost. Surface-wave
radar can be used to map sea surface currents for monitoring estuary
circulation and pollution tracking. Working with biologists, sea-wave
radar was used study eddy currents which impact the health of coral
reefs.
For more information contact:
Environmental Technology Laboratory
325 Broadway R/E/ET
Boulder, Colorado 80303
email info@etl.noaa.gov
http://www.etl.noaa.gov
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