Harnessing remote sensing to address critical science questions on ocean-atmosphere interactions

By: Neukermans G., Harmel T., Galí M., Rudorff N., Chowdhary J., Dubovik O., Hostetler C., Hu Y., Jamet C., Knobelspiesse K., Lehahn Y., Litvinov P., Sayer A.M., Ward B., Boss E., Koren I., Miller L.A.
Published in: Elementa
SDGs : SDG 14  |  Units: Marine Sciences  | Time: 2018 |  Link
Description: Earth observing systems have proven to be a unique source of long-term synoptic information on numerous physical, chemic al and biological parameters on a global scale. Merging this information for integrated studies that peruse key questions about the ocean-atmosphere interface is, however, very challenging. Such studies require interdisciplinary frameworks and novel insights into ways to address the problem. We present here a perspective review on how current and emerging remote sensing technologies could help address two scientific questions within the Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS) science plan: (1) to what extent does upper-ocean biology affect the composition and radiative properties of the marine boundary layer; and (2) to what extent does upper-ocean turbulence drive fluxes of mass and energy at the air-sea interface. We provide a thorough review of how these questions have been addressed and discuss novel potential avenues using multiplatform space-borne missions, from visible to microwave, active and passive sensors. © 2018 Frontiers Media S.A.All rights reserved.