U41A-0001
A Trajectory Forecast Model as an Event Response Tool: Tracking an Anhydrous Ammonia Spill in Tampa Bay
Response time is critical following a hazardous spill in a marine environment and rapid assessment of circulation patterns can mitigate the damage. Tampa Bay Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (TB- PORTS) data are used to drive a numerical circulation model of the bay for the purpose of hazardous material spill response, monitoring of human health risks, and environmental protection and management. The model is capable of rapidly producing forecast simulations that, in the event of a human health or ecosystem threat, can alert authorities to areas in Tampa Bay with a high probability of being affected by the material. Responders to an anhydrous ammonia spill in November 2007 in Tampa Bay utilized the numerical model of circulation in the estuary to predict where the spill was likely to be transported. The model quickly generated a week-long simulation predicting how winds and currents might move the spill around the bay. The physical mechanisms transporting ammonium alternated from being tidally driven for the initial two days following the spill to a more classical two-layered circulation for the remainder of the simulation. Velocity profiles of Tampa Bay reveal a strong outward flowing current present at the time of the simulation which acted as a significant transport mechanism for ammonium within the bay. Probability distributions, calculated from the predicted model trajectories, guided sampling in the days after the spill resulting in the detection of a toxic Pseudo-nitzschia bloom that likely was initiated as a result of the anhydrous ammonia spill. The prediction system at present is only accessible to scientists in the Ocean Monitoring and Prediction Lab (OMPL) at the University of South Florida. The forecast simulations are compiled into an animation that is provided to end users at their request. In the future, decision makers will be allowed access to an online component of the coastal prediction system that can be used to manage response and mitigation efforts in order to reduce the risk from such disasters as a hazardous material spills or ship groundings.
U41A-0002
From in Situ Time Series to Mean Image: new Tools for Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms
Harmfull algal blooms are of serious concern in many aquatic ecosystems. The ANR funded research
program Proliphyc regroups industries and public research groups. It aims at developing new observing tools
and strategies for the detection, characterization and early warning of such blooms. Here we present a one
year semi-continuous survey (4/hour) of physical (CTD), chemical (O2) and bio optical (multiwavelength
fluoroprobe) variables at 15 m depth in the metalimnion of the largest natural French lake (Lac du Bourget).
The data set was analyzed to decipher biological and geochemical dynamics in a highly variable
environment, with a special emphasis on the seasonal bloom of the harmfull P.rubescens cyanobacteria.
Internal waves were the primary drivers of variability, leading to daily variations during summer larger than
annual trends for most variables. 2D representation of the variables along a time-temperature axis provides a
rough image of their vertical distribution showing strong direct continuous gradients for C and O2 (downward
and upward respectively) and peak distribution for chla. Statistical and spectral analysis were conducted to
determine the relevant time scales of observation and integration in order to take into account the time
scales of the main physical forcing. This permitted the construction of a mean image which is a key concept
for qualitative and quantitative applications from continuous measurements in aquatic ecosystems. This
method was applied to document P.rubescens deep chlorophyll maximum dynamics at short (weeks) and
inter annual scale, showing an unprecedented bloom in summer 2008 (over 180 000 cells.mL-1).
http://proliphyc.h2o.net
U41A-0003
Analysis of Lillooet River Flooding Based on the Record of Varves in Lillooet Lake
The incidence of severe floods in the Lillooet River valley, in the southern Coast Mountains of British Columbia approximately 160 km north of Vancouver, has increased in the past several decades. This research aims to extend the historical flood record using a proxy record of varved sediments recovered from Lillooet Lake, into which Lillooet River flows. Twelve vibracores and percussion cores up to 10.9 m long provide a record of sedimentation that spans approximately the past 650 years. Unusually thick varves mark known floods in 1980, 1984, 1991, and 2003. Older, prehistoric floods will be inferred using varve thickness and other characteristics of historical flood layers. A frequency-magnitude relationship will be established for the period of the varve record. The sediment record will also be interrogated for possible relations with late Holocene climate change in northwest North America. The extended flood record and inundation modelling of Lillooet valley will help local communities establish a more informed management plan for future development on the Lillooet River floodplain. Additionally, the research will provide a better understanding of the climate factors (e.g. PDO, ENSO) that affect flooding in southwest British Columbia.
U41A-0004
Advances in Remote Sensing Approaches for Hazard Mitigation and Natural Resource Protection in Pacific Latin America: A Workshop for Advanced Graduate Students, Post- Doctoral Researchers, and Junior Faculty
Though much of the developing world has the potential to gain significantly from remote sensing techniques
in terms of public health and safety, they often lack resources for advancing the development and practice of
remote sensing. All countries share a mutual interest in furthering remote sensing capabilities for natural
hazard mitigation and resource development. With National Science Foundation support from the
Partnerships in International Research and Education program, we are developing a new educational system
of applied research and engineering for advancing collaborative linkages among agencies and institutions in
Pacific Latin American countries (to date: Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and
Ecuador) in the development of remote sensing tools for hazard mitigation and water resources
management. The project aims to prepare students for careers in science and engineering through their
efforts to solve suites of problems needing creative solutions: collaboration with foreign agencies; living
abroad immersed in different cultures; and adapting their academic training to contend with potentially
difficult field conditions and limited resources. The ultimate goal of integrating research with education is to
encourage cross-disciplinary, creative, and critical thinking in problem solving and foster the ability to deal
with uncertainty in analyzing problems and designing appropriate solutions. In addition to traditional
approaches for graduate and undergraduate research, we have built new educational systems of applied
research and engineering: (1) the Peace Corp/Master's International program in Natural Hazards which
features a 2-year field assignment during service in the U.S. Peace Corps, (2) the Michigan Tech Enterprise
program for undergraduates, which gives teams of students from different disciplines the opportunity to work
for three years in a business-like setting to solve real-world problems, and (3) a unique university exchange
program in natural hazards (E-Haz). Advancements in research have been made, for example, in using
thermal remote sensing methods for studying vent and eruptive processes, and in fusing RADARSAT with
ASTER imagery to delineate lineaments in volcanic terrains for siting water wells. While these and other
advancements are developed in conjunction with our foreign counterparts, the impacts of this work can be
broadened through more comprehensive dissemination activities. Towards this end, we are in the planning
phase of a Pan American workshop on applications of remote sensing techniques for natural hazards and
water resources management. The workshop will be at least two weeks, sometime in July/August 2009, and
involve 30-40 participants, with balanced participation from the U.S. and Latin America. In addition to
fundamental aspects of remote sensing and digital image processing, the workshop topics will be presented
in the context of new developments for studying volcanic processes and hazards and for characterizing
groundwater systems.
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/rs4hazards
U41A-0005
Water Decontamination With New Porous Oxide Photocatalysts
Water pollution is major environmental problem worldwide. Many common industrial organic compounds that make their way into water systems can be carcinogenic at trace levels and are difficult and costly to remove completely with conventional technologies. Heterogeneous photocatalysts like titanium dioxide have the potential to completely mineralize organic compounds in water under ultraviolet light. We are proposing to develop new porous oxide semiconductor materials made up of titanium and niobium mixed oxide nanocomposites. The porous catalysts retain high catalytic activity while being easy to handle and filter out of product streams. New synthetic methods are to be developed that optimize physical properties and the catalyst's ability to photo-degrade organic contaminants in water.