Applications of satellite ocean color sensors for monitoring and predicting harmful algal blooms

The new satellite ocean color sensors offer a means of detecting and monito ring algal blooms in the ocean and coastal zone. Beginning with SeaWiFS (Se a Wide Field-of-view Sensor) in September 1997, these sensors provide cover age every 1 to 2 days with 1-km pixel view at nadir. Atmospheric correction algorithms designed for the coastal zone combined with regional chlorophyl l algorithms can provide good and reproducible estimates of chlorophyll, pr oviding the means of monitoring various algal blooms. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by Karenia brevis in the Gulf of Mexico are particularly amen able to remote observation. The Gulf of Mexico has relatively clear water a nd K. brevis, in bloom conditions, tends to produce a major portion of the phytoplankton biomass. A monitoring program has begun in the Gulf of Mexico that integrates field data from state monitoring programs with satellite i magery, providing an improved capability for the monitoring of K. brevis bl ooms.