Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons^™

Forecasting Lightning Initiation Utilizing Dual-Polarization Radar Parameters Over Washington, D.C., Sarah A. Olsen

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate forecasts of thunderstorms are vital to space launch, aviation, and public safety. Prior studies by Woodard (2011), Thurmond (2014), and Travis (2015) show that dual-polarization radar can be utilized to identify the presence of hydrometeors necessary for cloud charging. These studies emphasized that a combination of radar reflectivity (Z) and differential reflectivity (Z_DR) predictors have the potential to improve forecast skill of lightning initiation over methods that rely on Z alone (Roeder and Pinder, 1998; Yang and King, 2010). Travis (2015) discovered two parameters, when used together, produced the best results: Z ≥ 36.5 dBZ and ZDR …

Evaluation Of A Climate Change Training Program For Local Government Employees, Clara Kashar

Theses and Dissertations

A local government in South Florida launched a training program to improve employee engagement on climate change using best practices in adult learning and climate communication to bridge the gap between climate science and action in government operations. The purpose of this program evaluation was to determine whether that climate change development and training program for local government employees met its stated goals and objectives. This evaluation blended a component of Stufflebeam’s Context, Input, Process, Product (CIPP) model with Kirpatrick’s Four Levels model. To conduct the evaluation, the researcher used a mixed methods approach for analyzing both quantitative and qualitative …

Copper Tolerance Of Amphibalanus Amphitrite As Observed In Central Florida, Hannah Grace Brinson

Theses and Dissertations

Copper tolerance in the invasive barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite has been observed in Florida by the Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control since 2012 and by Weiss (1947). To test the theory that this barnacle preferentially settles on copper coated surfaces to avoid settlement competition by other sessile species, a series of two experiments and a literature review of historical copper toxicity tests on larval barnacles was conducted. The barnacle A amphitrite was preferentially used in many previous toxicity studies because it is readily available, has high fecundity, and is more sensitive to some toxicants than other species, including the native …

St. Lucie Shoal Complex: Regional Sediment Resource Or Submerged Storm Breakwater, Leaf Erickson

Theses and Dissertations

Nearshore sand shoals have become the predominant sediment resource for beach nourishment projects on the east coast of Florida. Along this coast, the St. Lucie Shoal Complex (SLSC) is comprised of several shoals designated as sediment resources for beach nourishment, many having depths less than 7 meters, at their crests. This group of shoals represents the largest high-quality beach nourishment sediment resource in southeast Florida. Among these shoals, the St. Lucie shoal is the largest and shallowest at the crest. This project explores the current best practice methodologies to explore impacts of excavating sand resources from shallow-crested shoal systems like …

Distributions Of Polychaetes As A Function Of Sediment Composition In A Subtropical Lagoon, Anthony William Cox

Theses and Dissertations

Fine-grained organic-rich sediments (FGORS) in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida, the human activities and nutrient inputs and have a varied composition, including water content, silt-clay content, and organic matter. When these constituents reach, by weight, 75%, 60% dry, and 10% dry, respectively, this is sometimes referred to as IRL “muck”. Many polychaetes inhabit the benthic sediments of estuaries and must tolerate various degrees of FGORS. The Cox IRL Muck Index (CMI) is proposed as a mechanism for determining the organic sediment tolerances of infaunal species in a simple and direct manner. IRL muck will have a minimum CMI of …

Oblique Longwave Infrared Atmospheric Compensation, Daniel S. O'Keefe

Theses and Dissertations

This research introduces two novel oblique longwave infrared atmospheric compensation techniques for hyperspectral imagery, Oblique In-Scene Atmospheric Compensation (OISAC) and Radiance Detrending (RD). Current atmospheric compensation algorithms have been developed for nadir-viewing geometries which assume that every pixel in the scene is affected by the atmosphere in nearly the same manner. However, this assumption is violated in oblique imaging conditions where the transmission and path radiance vary continuously as a function of object-sensor range, negatively impacting current algorithms in their ability to compensate for the atmosphere. The techniques presented here leverage the changing viewing conditions to improve rather than hinder …

Novel Hyperspectral Imagery And Platforms For Shallow Water Environments, Taylor Scott Oney

Theses and Dissertations

Hyperspectral measurements of the water surface in urban coastal waters are presented. Oblique bidirectional reflectance factor (BRF) imagery was acquired of coastal shallow waters within the watershed of the Indian River Lagoon, Florida and along littoral zone waters of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Oblique imagery of the shoreline and subsurface features clearly shows subsurface bottom features and rip current features within the surf zone water column. The imagery was collected using a pushbroom hyperspectral imager mounted on a fixed platform with a calibrated circular mechatronic rotation stage. Hyperspectral imaging using the fixed platform techniques were used to calculate hyperspectral bidirectional …

Improved Atmospheric Characterization For Hyperspectral Exploitation, Nathan P. Wurst

Theses and Dissertations

Airborne hyperspectral imaging (HSI) in the LWIR has shown utility in material detection and identification. This research seeks to determine the most effective methods to perform model-based atmospheric compensation of LWIR HSI data by comparing results obtained from different atmospheric profiles. The standard model for mid-latitude summer (MLS) and radiosonde data are compared to the National Operational Model Archive and Distribution System (NOMADS) numerical weather predictions and the Extreme and Percentile Environmental Reference Tables (ExPERT). The two latter atmospheric profiles are generated using the Laser Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR) software. MLS has been a standard starting point for …

Investigating The Application Of Multibeam Sonar And Remotely Operated Vehicles In Fish Population Monitoring On Artificial Reefs, Robert Figueroa-Downing

Theses and Dissertations

Implementation of ROVs and multibeam imaging sonar in fisheries research has the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of current monitoring practices. This study aimed to 1) compare ROV video and diver abundance estimates; 2) evaluate fish length measurement accuracy from sonar; 3) investigate key differentiating sonar characteristics. Results indicate: 1) Diver surveys captured greater diversity of species; survey methods were comparable with regards to conspicuous species (r = 0.089, p = 0.074); 2) Length measurements from multibeam imaging sonar had high predictive power (Rho = 0.998; p < 0.001) of actual standard lengths and; 3) variations between samples were largely due to swim bladder echo, relative position of the target fish, and schooling characteristics. We conclude that 1) ROVs are less apt at observing cryptic species; 2) The Blueview P900-90 sonar can accurately measure fish length; and 3) swim bladder morphology plays an important role in fish identification.

The Tolerance Of Benthic Infauna To Fine-Grained Organic Rich Sediments In A Shallow Subtropical Estuary, Daniel Christopher Hope

Theses and Dissertations

Fine-grained organic-rich sediments (FGORS) from anthropogenic impacts are a growing concern for bays and estuaries around the world. This study explores the relationships between infaunal community diversity and species’ abundances with FGORS in the Indian River Lagoon and its tributaries. To examine these potential relationships, infauna were collected monthly using a Petit Ponar grab at 16 stations in the central Indian River Lagoon from October 2015 to August 2016. Abundant taxa in these sediments include polychaete worms (e.g., the polychaete Nereis succinea), molluscs (e.g., clam Parastarte triquetra), and arthropods (e.g., the tanaid Leptochelia dubia) with densities as high as 5.3x10⁴ …

Influence Of Ndbc Buoy Design On Sea Surface Temperature Trends In The Coastal United States, Alexander Keith Nickerson

Theses and Dissertations

The sea surface temperature (SST) record is the one of the oldest climate records, stretching back to 1662. Since that time, voluntary observing ships (VOSs) have been including these data in their ship‘s log. Due to the sparseness of VOS data, moored buoys were created to provide data at regular intervals in order to provide a more continuous record with data collection unaffected by human error. The SST sensor in National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoys is inside a hull and not in direct contact with the ocean. Thus, the design of the buoy may subject them to additional biases …

Categorizing “Muck” In The Indian River Lagoon, Florida, Based On Chemical, Physical And Biological Characteristics, Katherine Mae Beckett

Theses and Dissertations

During the past six decades, the thickness and areal extent of muck sediments have continually increased in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida. These sediments are anoxic, store and release nutrients, and destroy natural benthic habitats. The main objective of this research was to develop guidelines that help prioritize sites for muck removal based on the following: (1) biological abundance and diversity, (2) muck thickness, and (3) the physical and chemical composition of muck. Thinner muck deposits (20-40 cm), collected during two seasons at eight locations in the lagoon and adjacent creeks, had greater variability in sediment composition and ~5 …

The Role Of Biotic And Environmental Factors In Spatial And Temporal Variability Of Indian River Lagoon Copepod Communities, Hannah G. Kolb

Theses and Dissertations

The role of zooplankton communities as the link between phytoplankton and secondary consumers is dependent on the species make-up of the copepod community. Copepods often dominate zooplankton in numbers and biomass and are frequently the dominant grazers. Species variabilities in behavioral and morphological traits, and seasonal variances in species make-up, have the potential to alter trophic dynamics in planktonic communities. The goal of this study was to identify the driving forces behind copepod community composition and better understand the role of key species in the Northern Indian River Lagoon (N-IRL). Copepods made up 76% of the N-IRL zooplankton community and …

Exploring The Role Of Biofilms In The Transport And Establishment Of Invasive Marine Macrofoulers, Lynn Holly Sweat

Theses and Dissertations

Biofilms dominated by bacteria and diatoms universally colonize submerged surfaces and mediate larval recruitment in benthic marine systems. The ability for macrofoulers to be transported by vessels and become globally established is likely affected by cues from the biofilm organisms they encounter. This study investigates how macrofoulers respond to biofilms shaped by local geography, transport processes and relocation. Biofilm assemblages in neighboring ports were largely unique to the site at which they were developed. Bacteria were primary drivers of variations among sites, and overall bacterial richness was an order of magnitude higher than has been reported for other marine environments. …

Benthic Foraminiferal Distributions In A Shallow Subtropical Estuary And The Influence Of Environmental Factors, Maria Angelica Zamora-Durán

Theses and Dissertations

Benthic foraminiferal communities are potentially useful tools for assessing and monitoring estuarine ecosystems and as bioindicators of water quality and pollution. To evaluate this indicator for the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) benthic ecosystem, the densities and distributions of Foraminifera were measured in Turkey Creek (Palm Bay, Florida), Crane Creek (Melbourne, Florida), and the adjacent IRL. Spatial population patterns were compared with parameters characterizing benthic sediments, including silt and clay content, organic matter (OM), and associated boundary water column conditions including salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen (DO. Samples (n=145) were collected from October 2015 to December 2015 at 12 locations. Four …

An Analysis Of The Moisture And Moist Static Energy Budgets In Amip Simulations, Kristine Adelaide Boykin

Theses and Dissertations

An analysis of the second phase of the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) simulations has been conducted to understand the physical processes that control precipitation in the tropics. This is achieved primarily through the analysis of the moisture and moist static energy budgets. Overall, there is broad agreement between the simulated and observed precipitation, although specific tropical regions such as the Maritime Continent poses challenges to these simulations. The models in general capture the latitudinal distribution of precipitation and key precipitating regions including the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the Asian Monsoon. The simulations portrayed the global patterns of evaporation …

Overview Of The Phytoplankton And Water Quality Of Lake Maumelle For 2009, Rich Shaver

Theses and Dissertations

Since 1989 the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Central Arkansas Water (CAW) have collected water quality and phytoplankton samples from Lake Maumelle in Central Arkansas. These samples were collected from three locations within the reservoir. Phytoplankton samples for 2009 were identified to genus and counted. The phytoplankton did not follow a typical succession pattern for north temperate lakes. Starting in late winter, Chlorophyta tended to be the dominant division followed by Cyanophyta in the fall. Diversity was relatively high at all sampling locations and no differences among sites were detected. Total phosphorus appeared to be the limiting nutrient. Based …

Surface Cooling Due To Precipitation In The Tropics, Camila Gomes Martins Ramos

Theses and Dissertations

Precipitation is an important component of the global hydrological cycle. It affects the upper ocean salinity by adding freshwater to the ocean. In addition, precipitation plays a role in cooling the ocean and land surfaces, when the temperature of the raindrops is lower than the temperature of the surface. However, the surface cooling due to precipitation (QP) remains an overlooked feature and is not included in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) models. One might expect that heavy precipitation events may lead to large QP, which can impact the surface temperature, surface energy balance, and local- to regional-scale circulations. …

Simulating Bottom Reflectance Retrievals Using An Analytical Solution For The Two-Flow Irradiance Models, Tyler A. Rotkiske

Theses and Dissertations

Existing analytical solutions to the two-flow irradiance equations are used to obtain new relations for simulating hyperspectral bottom reflectance signatures. Synthetic bottom reflectance signatures are compared to measured bottom reflectance signatures in order to test the model equation limitations of the formulations. Measured hyperspectral bottom reflectance signatures for a dead reef, Elkhorn coral, seagrass and sand, sand, and turtle grass are used. Estimated collimated and diffuse irradiances are inputs needed to run model formulations. Also, specific absorption, specific backscattering coefficients, and water depth for ocean, coastal, and estuarine waters are used as inputs to simulate bottom reflectance retrievals. The specific …

Meeting The Dod’S Tactical Weather Needs Using Cubesats, Shayna K. Mckenney

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates a CubeSat design that uses Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components to capture, store, process, and downlink collected terrestrial weather data at resolutions near stat-of-the-art. The weather phenomena to be detected and transmitted in a timely manner are cloud formations, wind profiles, ocean currents, sea state, lightning, temperature profiles, and precipitation. It is hypothesized and shown that the proposed design will provide an improvement on the current U.S. tactical weather collection satellites because of the anticipated increased reliability and lowered cost to build and maintain the proposed CubeSat constellation. The methodology employed a multi-phase approach through the collective research of …

Forecasting Sea Breeze Enhanced Thunderstorms At Eglin Air Force Base: A Comparison Between Empirical Methods And The High Resolution Rapid Refresh Model, Matthew P. King

Theses and Dissertations

Summer thunderstorms pose the greatest forecast challenge for the United States Air Force's 96th Weather Flight (96WF) which provides weather support for Eglin Air Force Base (AFB). Located on Florida's panhandle, Eglin AFB encompasses the Department of Defense's largest range complex which covers 134,000 sq mi (347,000 sq km) of water and 724 sq mi (1875 sq km) of land. Due to the base's coastal location and unique coastline geometry, sea breeze is a dominant forecast consideration for thunderstorms. The 96 WF currently utilizes an empirical method, called WINNDEX, developed by former staff meteorologist Roger Winn to aid in thunderstorm …

The Reliability And Skill Of Air Force Weather’S Ensemble Prediction Suites, Derek A. Burns

Theses and Dissertations

The Ensemble Prediction Suites (EPS) used at the 557th Weather Wing (557 WW) provide probability based forecasts for thousands of worldwide locations. Point Ensemble Probability (PEP) bulletins are tailored specifically to the United States military and its criteria for operationally significant weather. This study assesses the performance of PEPs from each EPS at 17 Continental United States (CONUS) locations. Results from April to October of 2015 show that each EPS is underforecasting ceilings and visibility for most forecast hours at several locations. The underforecasting of ceilings is most severe at Vandenberg AFB, an area prone to frequent marine layer fog …

Methods For Passive Remote Turbulence Characterization In The Planetary Boundary Layer, Lee R. Burchett

Theses and Dissertations

Several methods are presented which allow for the index of refraction structure function constant, C²_n , for visible light or IR systems to be determined remotely and passively using a combination of Numerical Weather Prediction, radar, and/or cell phone signals. These methods build on and extend existing techniques and theory, and are shown to be more accurate throughout the year than standard methods. Comparisons are made to 880nm scintillometer measurements of C²_n in a temperate suburban and a rural high-desert environment.

Operational Exploitation Of Satellite-Based Sounding Data And Numerical Weather Prediction Models For Directed Energy Applications, David C. Meier

Theses and Dissertations

The wealth of available scientific data collected by the modern constellation of meteorological satellites can be exploited in new and innovative ways, with direct benefit to directed energy applications. The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) provides accurate, geolocated temperature data, which are used as the starting point for the derivation of atmospheric parameters critical to prediction of sensor or directed energy system performance. Twenty-four hour data coverage is achieved by extending the atmospheric characterization between satellite observations using Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. A technique is developed to derive wind profiles using AIRS temperature data and the accuracy of these winds …

Utilizing Remote Sensing Imagery To Monitor Vegetation Change Within World Heritage Sites, Mimi Eve Hatzis

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

World Heritage sites provide a glimpse into the stories and civilizations of the past. There are currently 1007 unique World Heritage properties with 779 being classified as cultural sites, 197 as natural sites, and 31 falling into the categories of both cultural and natural sites (UNESCO & World Heritage Centre, 1992-2015). However, of these 1007 World Heritage sites, at least 46 are categorized as in danger and this number continues to grow. These unique and irreplaceable sites are exceptional because of their universality. Consequently, since World Heritage sites belong to all the people of the world and provide inspiration …

Utilizing Four Dimensional Lightning And Dual-Polarization Radar To Develop Lightning Initiation Forecast Guidance, Andrew J. Travis

Theses and Dissertations

Lightning initiation is a major forecast challenge faced by Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron (45 WS), which provides weather support to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Prior studies by Thurmond (2014) and Woodard (2011) have shown that dual-polarization (DP) radar can be used to identify the presence of hydrometeors indicative of cloud charging, leading to improved lightning initiation forecasts. The 45 WS currently employs empirical lightning initiation forecast rules which state that in-cloud lightning is likely when radar reflectivity meets or exceeds 37.0 dBZ above the -10°C height. This study examined 249 convective cells from …

Comparing Three Methods For Estimating Ozone Depleting Substance Substitute Greenhouse Gases: Case Study Of The New York City Region, Wallace A. Murray Iii

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis evaluates the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method for estimating emissions from one source, Ozone Depleting Substances Substitutes (ODS substitutes) by comparing results for the New York City Metropolitan Statistical Area (NYC-MSA) with results from two other methodologies. The EPA’s method utilizes population data and GDP data to estimate and geographically allocate emissions, with little regard for the geographies of industrial activity. The two alternative methods use data for industrial employment and activity to provide results for comparison and perhaps a more accurate accounting and allocation of emissions throughout the NYC-MSA.

Proof-Of-Concept Of Environmental Dna Tools For Atlantic Sturgeon Management, Jameson Hinkle

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus, Mitchell) is an anadromous species that spawns in tidal freshwater rivers from Canada to Florida. Overfishing, river sedimentation and alteration of the river bottom have decreased Atlantic Sturgeon populations, and NOAA lists the species as endangered. Ecologists sometimes find it difficult to locate individuals of a species that is rare, endangered or invasive. The need for methods less invasive that can create more resolution of cryptic species presence is necessary. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a non-invasive means of detecting rare, endangered, or invasive species by isolating nuclear or mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the …

Speed And Resolution In The Age Of Technological Reproducibility, Shawn Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

The rate of acceleration of the biologic and synthetic world has for a while now, been in the process of exponentially speeding up, maxing out servers and landfills, merging with each other, destroying each other. The last prehistoric relics on Earth are absorbing the same oxygen, carbon dioxide and electronic waves in our biosphere as us. A degraded .jpeg enlarged to full screen on a Samsung 4K UHD HU8550 Series Smart TV - 85” Class (84.5” diag.). Within this composite ecology, the ancient limestone of the grand canyon competes with the iMax movie of itself, the production of Mac pros, …

Evaluating The Surface Layer Wind Profile In The Wrf, Robert Stephen James

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how the surface vertical wind profile responds to different planetary boundary layer schemes in computer models. Local surface roughness is one of the elements represented in these schemes, and is used when interpolating winds down from the lowest model level to the surface, so this needs to be accurately represented in the model. Computer models rely on one bulk estimate of surface roughness for a given grid point, despite the complexity of surrounding terrain. Data for this research was gathered from local surface observations and computer simulations, which looked at two different …