Title :
Can internal tidal waves be observed by ocean color satellite sensors?
Author :
Silva, J. C B da ; New, A.L. ; Srokosz, M.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Phys., Lisbon Univ., Portugal
Abstract :
Reveals bands of enhanced levels of near-surface chlorophyll in the central Bay of Biscay in remotely-sensed images from the SeaWiFS ocean colour sensor, and shows that these are most probably associated with the crests of internal tidal waves travelling away from the shelf break. We are able to explain this effect as likely to result from the uplifting of a subsurface chlorophyll maximum by the passing internal tides, to such a level as may be "seen" by the satellite sensor, and have quantified the effect with a simple model. We believe this is the first time that internal tidal waves have been reported as having a direct and observable effect in such remotely-sensed ocean colour images.
Keywords :
ocean waves; remote sensing; SeaWiFS; central Bay of Biscay; internal tidal waves; near-surface chlorophyll; ocean color satellite sensors; remotely-sensed images; subsurface chlorophyll maximum; Dispersion; Image sensors; Ocean temperature; Physics; Remote sensing; Satellites; Sea surface; Surface topography; Surface waves; Tides;
Conference_Titel :
Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 2002. IGARSS '02. 2002 IEEE International
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7536-X
DOI :
10.1109/IGARSS.2002.1026190