Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons^™

A Reimagining Of The Chacoan World, Larry Benson, Richard W. Loose

United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications

A new paradigm of the Chacoan world is presented, wherein Chaco Canyon is considered to be a mostly unoccupied architectural complex that functioned primarily as a pilgrimage destination. Chaco was the political, religious, and social focal point of people living in outlying regions. The resident population of the Canyon consisted of a small number of caretakers, charged with maintaining great house structures, food supplies, and their ceremonial contents. Chacoan chiefdoms were mostly located in large, well-watered, agriculturally-based communities situated at the base of mountains that ring the San Juan Basin, e.g., the Chuskas. Chiefly elites lived year-round in those areas, …

Air Quality Over Major Cities Of Saudi Arabia During Hajj Periods Of 2019 And 2020, Ashraf Farahat, Akshansha Chauhan, Mohammed Al Otaibi, Ramesh P. Singh

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Mecca and Madinah are two holy cities where millions of people in general, visit throughout the years, during Hajj (Muslim's pilgrimage) time number of people visit these holy cities from different parts of the world is very high. However, the Government of Saudi Arabia only allowed 1000 pilgrims during the 2020 Hajj especially when the world is suffering from COVID-19. In the present paper, a detailed analysis of air quality parameters available from ground measurements have been carried over major cities of Saudi Arabia, Mecca, Madinah, and Jeddah from June to September 2019 and 2020. At Mecca and Jeddah, PM …

2021 February - Tennessee Monthly Climate Report, Tennessee Climate Office, East Tennessee State University

Tennessee Climate Office Monthly Reports

No abstract provided.

Implications Of Covid-19 On Progress In The Un Conventions On Biodiversity And Climate Change, Andrea Monica D. Ortiz, Alaya M. De Leon, Justine Nicole V. Torres, Cecilia Therese T. Guiao, Antonio Gabriel M. La Viña

Environmental Science Faculty Publications

2020 was to be a landmark year for setting targets to stop biodiversity loss and prevent dangerous climate change. However, COVID-19 has caused delays to the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the 26th COP of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Negotiations on the Global Biodiversity Framework and the second submission of Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement were due to take place at these COPs. There is uncertainty as to how the COVID-19 disruption will affect the negotiations, whether parties will pursue more ambitious actions or take a …

Statistical Analysis And Comparison Of Optical Classification Of Atmospheric Aerosol Lidar Data, Mohammed Alqawba, Norou Diawara, Kwasi G. Afrifa, Mohamed I. Elbakary, Mecit Cetin, Khan Iftekharuddin

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

In this article, we present a new study for the analysis and classification of atmospheric aerosols in remote sensing LIDAR data. Information on particle size and associated properties are extracted from these remote sensing atmospheric data which are collected by a ground-based LIDAR system. This study first considers optical LIDAR parameter-based classification methods for clustering and classification of different types of harmful aerosol particles in the atmosphere. Since accurate methods for aerosol prediction behaviors are based upon observed data, computational approaches must overcome design limitations, and consider appropriate calibration and estimation accuracy. Consequently, two statistical methods based on generalized linear …

Developing A Method To Track Marine Snow Aggregation Through Individual Collisions Using Stereoscopic Imaging, Riley Henning

Theses

The aggregation of individual phytoplankton into marine snow allows particles to sink more quickly, thus resulting in the transport of particulate organic carbon from surface waters to the deep ocean. Aggregate formation has previously been measured in experiments indirectly by quantifying how particle size or particle concentration changes over time. Here, I present my thesis in which I applied high-resolution imaging to quantify aggregate formation using two different methodologies.

We conducted experiments to investigate aggregate formation using stereoscopic imaging, tracking individual particles directly in a 3D volume. Phytoplankton cultures were rolled in cylindrical tanks and imaged by two cameras illuminated …

Coastal Watershed Monitoring And Management: Geomorphology, Geochemistry, And Hydrologic Modeling Of Los Peñasquitos Creek, Ca, Ravleen Khalsa-Basra

Theses

Rivers in semi-arid climates are directly influenced by local geographic and hydrologic conditions and impacted by modifications to hydrology via urbanization. Changes can influence erosion, morphology, habitat sustainability, and watershed health. In highly urbanized southern California coastal regions, these rare open spaces provide vital ecosystem services. Los Peñasquitos Creek in San Diego County is one such watershed. Using stream surveying and laboratory methods we quantified channel characteristics, grain size distribution, total metal concentration [M], organic carbon (%OC), and phosphate to longitudinally characterize the creek for improved management. Results identified three distinct reaches in the watershed (upper, middle, lower). Downstream, depth …

Atlantic Sailfish (Istiophorus Albicans) Distribution Off The East Coast Of Florida From 2003 To 2018 In Response To Sea Surface Temperature, Meredith M. Pratt

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

The Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus albicans) ranges from 40°N to 40°S in the Western Atlantic Ocean and has great economic and recreational value for sport fishers. Off the east coast of Florida, recreational fishing boats often target this species due to its size, speed and strength. This project aimed to determine the relationship between sea surface temperature (SST) and the distribution of Atlantic sailfish caught and released over a fifteen-year period (2003 to 2018). Tagging information was collected from The Billfish Foundation and NOAA who have the most extensive programs for billfish. Using the time and location of each …

An Indo-Pacifc Coral Spawning Database, Andrew H. Baird, James R. Guest, Alasdair J. Edwards, Andrew G. Bauman, Jessica Bouwmeester, Hanaka Mera, David Abrego, Mariana Alvera-Noriega, Russel C. Babcock, Miguel B. Barbosa, Victor Bonito, John Burt, Patrick C. Cabaitan, Ching-Fong Chang, Suchana Chavanich, Chaolun A. Chen, Chieh-Jhen Chen, Wei-Jen Chen, Fung-Chen Chung, Sean R. Connolly, Vivian R. Cumbo, Maria Dornelas, Christopher Doropoulos, Gal Eyal, Lee Eyal-Shaham, Nur Fadli, Joana Figueiredo, Jean-François Flot, Sze-Hoon Gan, Elizabeth Gomez, Erin M. Graham, Mila Grinblat, Nataly Gutiérrez-Isaza, Saki Harii, Peter L. Harrison, Masayuki Hatta, Nina Ann Jin Ho, Gaetan Hoarau, Mia Hoogenboom, Emily J. Howells, Akira Iguchi, Naoko Isomura, Emmeline A. Jamodiong, Suppakarn Jandang, Jude Keyse, Seiya Kitanobo, Narinratana Kongjandtre, Chao-Yang Kuo, Charlon Ligson, Che-Hung Lin, Jeffrey Low, Yossi Loya, Elizaldy A. Maboloc, Joshua S. Madin, Takuma Mezaki, Choo Min, Masaya Morita, Aurelie Moya, Su-Hwei Neo, Matthew R. Nitschke, Satoshi Nojima, Yoko Nozawa, Srisakul Piromvaragorn, Sakanan Plathong, Eneour Puill-Stephan, Kate Quigley, Catalina Ramirez-Portilla, Gerard Ricardo, Kazuhiko Sakai, Eugenia Sampayo, Tom Shlesinger, Leony Sikim, Chris Simpson, Carrie A. Sims, Frederic Sinniger, Davies A. Spiji, Tracy Tabalanza, Chung-Hong Tan, Tullia I. Terraneo, Gergely Torda, James True, Karenne Tun, Kareen Vicentuan, Voranop Viyakarn, Zarinah Waheed, Selina Ward, Bette Willis, Rachael M. Woods, Erika S. Woolsey, Hiromi H. Yamamoto, Syafyudin Yusuf

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

The discovery of multi-species synchronous spawning of scleractinian corals on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s stimulated an extraordinary effort to document spawning times in other parts of the globe. Unfortunately, most of these data remain unpublished which limits our understanding of regional and global reproductive patterns. The Coral Spawning Database (CSD) collates much of these disparate data into a single place. The CSD includes 6178 observations (3085 of which were unpublished) of the time or day of spawning for over 300 scleractinian species in 61 genera from 101 sites in the Indo-Pacific. The goal of the CSD is …

Niche Partitioning Of Low-Light Adapted Prochlorococcus Subecotypes Across Oceanographic Gradients Of The North Pacific Subtropical Front, Anne W. Thompson, Kathleen Kouba, Nathan A. Ahlgren

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus is the most abundant photosynthetic cell on Earth and contributes to global ocean carbon cycling and food webs. Prochlorococcus is known for its extensive diversity that falls into two groups of ecotypes, the low‐light (LL) and high‐light (HL) adapted ecotypes. Previous work has shown niche partitioning of the very abundant HL adapted ecotypes and subecotypes across oceanographic gradients including temperature, nutrients, and day length. However, niche partitioning of subecotypes within the LL adapted ecotypes has not been studied as well because they are less abundant and less accessible than surface, HL populations. Through high‐throughput, cyanobacterial‐specific, sequencing of …

Effect Of Varying Wind Intensity, Forward Speed, And Surface Pressure On Storm Surges Of Hurricane Ritaeffect Of Varying Wind Intensity, Forward Speed, And Surface Pressure On Storm Surges Of Hurricane Rita, Abram Musinguzi, Muhammad K. Akbar

Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Faculty Research

Hurricane storm surges are influenced by several factors, including wind intensity, surface pressure, forward speed, size, angle of approach, ocean bottom depth and slope, shape and geographical features of the coastline. The relative influence of each factor may be amplified or abated by other factors that are acting at the time of the hurricane’s approach to the land. To understand the individual and combined influence of wind intensity, surface pressure and forward speed, a numerical experiment is conducted using Advanced CIRCulation + Simulating Waves Nearshore (ADCIRC + SWAN) by performing hindcasts of Hurricane Rita storm surges. The wind field generated …

Thermal Acclimation Of Tropical Coral Reef Fishes To Global Heat Waves, Jacob L. Johansen, Lauren E. Nadler, Adam Habary, Alyssa J. Bowden, Jodie Rummer

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

As climate-driven heat waves become more frequent and intense, there is increasing urgency to understand how thermally sensitive species are responding. Acute heating events lasting days to months may elicit acclimation responses to improve performance and survival. However, the coordination of acclimation responses remains largely unknown for most stenothermal species. We documented the chronology of 18 metabolic and cardiorespiratory changes that occur in the gills, blood, spleen, and muscles when tropical coral reef fishes are thermally stressed (+3.0°C above ambient). Using representative coral reef fishes (Caesio cuning and Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus) separated by >100 million years of evolution and …

Evaluating The Use Of Marine Protected Areas By Endangered Species: A Habitat Selection Approach, Kelsey E. Roberts, Brian J. Smith, Derek Burkholder, Kristen M. Hart

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

1. Optimizing the design of marine protected area (MPA) networks for the conservation of migratory marine species and their habitats involves a suite of important considerations, such as appropriate scale requirements and the distribution of anthropogenic impacts. Often, a fundamental component of the conservation planning process is delineating areas of high use or high biodiversity within a region of interest.

2. However, basing conservation strategies off merely the number of individuals in an ecosystem is outdated and potentially subject to arbitrary thresholds. To be effective at protecting marine megafauna, MPAs would ideally encompass habitats used by focal species. Through satellite-tracking …

The Effect Of Barometric Pressure, Temperature, And Precipitation On Preterm Labor In Expecting Women In South Carolina, Allison K. Fletcher

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Each year, approximately 9.9% of infants in the United States are born prematurely at less than 37 weeks of gestation with unidentified causes. From 2014 to 2016, the total preterm birth rate rose 3%, and late preterm birth rates rose almost 4%. One source of preterm labor that has been examined in recent years is its potential correlation with meteorological phenomena, including barometric pressure, temperature, and precipitation. In September of 2019, birth data recording 322 deliveries from two South Carolina hospitals was collected along with weather data on the given dates. The changes in temperature, barometric pressure, and precipitation for …

Late Afternoon Seasonal Transition To Dissolution In A Coral Reef: An Early Warning Of A Net Dissolving Ecosystem?, Laura Stoltenberg, Kai G. Schulz, Coulson A. Lantz, Tyler Cyronak, Bradley D. Eyre

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

There are concerns that reefs will transition from net calcifying to net dissolving in the near future due to decreasing calcification and increasing dissolution rates. Here we present in situ rates of net ecosystem calcification (NEC) and net ecosystem production (NEP) on a coral reef flat using a slack-water approach. Up until dusk, the reef was net calcifying in most months but shifted to net dissolution in austral summer, coinciding with high respiration rates and a lower aragonite saturation state (Ω_arag). The estimated sediment contribution to NEC ranged from 8 – 21 % during the day and 45 …

Accuracy Assessment Of Global Internal-Tide Models Using Satellite Altimetry, Loren Carrere, Brian K. Arbic, Brian Dushaw, Gary Egbert, Svetlana Erofeeva, Florent Lyard, Richard D. Ray, Clement Ubelmann, Edward Zaron, Zhongxiang Zhao, Jay F. Shriver, Maarten Cornelis Buijsman, Nicolas Picot

Faculty Publications

Altimeter measurements are corrected for several geophysical parameters in order to access ocean signals of interest, like mesoscale or sub-mesoscale variability. The ocean tide is one of the most critical corrections due to the amplitude of the tidal elevations and to the aliasing phenomena of high-frequency signals into the lower-frequency band, but the internal-tide signatures at the ocean surface are not yet corrected globally.

Internal tides can have a signature of several centimeters at the surface with wavelengths of about 50–250 km for the first mode and even smaller scales for higher-order modes. The goals of the upcoming Surface Water …

A Continental-Scale Assessment Of Density, Size, Distribution And Historical Trends Of Farm Dams Using Deep Learning Convolutional Neural Networks, Martino E. Malerba, Nicholas J. Wright, Peter I. Macreadie

Climate Science Research Articles

Farm dams are a ubiquitous limnological feature of agricultural landscapes worldwide. While their primary function is to capture and store water, they also have disproportionally large effects on biodiversity and biogeochemical cycling, with important relevance to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the abundance and distribution of farm dams is unknown in most parts of the world. Therefore, we used artificial intelligence and remote sensing data to address this critical global information gap. Specifically, we trained a deep learning convolutional neural network (CNN) on high-definition satellite images to detect farm dams and carry out the first continental-scale assessment on density, …

Impacts Of Hurricane Maria On Land And Convection Modification Over Puerto Rico, Nathan Hosannah, Prathap Ramamurthy, J. Marti, Jonathan Munoz, Jorge E. González

Publications and Research

Hurricane Maria drastically altered the landscape across the island of Puerto Rico. This article investigates modifications to surface-atmospheric interactions due to Hurricane Maria induced land damage and the associated impacts on local convective dynamics. Herein, we employed LANDSAT-8 image mosaics to quantify the hurricane induced land modification. Results of the analysis indicate that the island suffered significant forest damage—much of which registered as a 28.35% increase in barren land and a 10.85% increase in pasture. Smaller changes included a decrease in cultivated agricultural land cover by 0.76%, along with wetland and water increases of 0.62% and 0.25%, respectively. Pre and …

Professors Study Evacuation Practices, Marcus Coles

News Items

No abstract provided.

Odu To Lead Coastal Virginia Consortium, Sherry Dibarri

News Items

No abstract provided.