Evolution of upwelling-associated biological features in the Middle Atlantic Bight as captured by SAR, SST, and ocean color sensors

Seasonal upwelling in the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) occurs during the summer months as a result of episodic wind forcing generally from the south. A wind-generated Ekman divergent surface flow is compensated by an onshore deeper flow that brings nutrient-rich colder waters to the surface. Colder upwelled waters are readily detectable using spaceborne sea surface temperature (SST) observations while increased productivity associated with the enhanced nutrient availability can be imaged by ocean color observations. Low backscatter patterns imaged by synthetic aperture radar (SAR) match closely upwelling patterns observed in the SST data. An abundance of slick filaments also indicated by SAR is consistent with-enhanced biological activity associated with the upwelling regime NOAA AVHRR SST, SeaWiFS ocean color (i.e., Chl-a), and Radarsat-1 SAR imagery of upwelling conditions in the MAB during 1998 were reviewed. The data indicate the development of upwelling centers along the MAB coast. The offshore extension of upwelling-associated filaments as well as offshore blooms is observed in the data. The ability and limitations of these diverse datasets to complement each other in the detection, interpretation, and monitoring of upwelling-associated biological features are explored