Bonney Coast Upwelling Analysis Using MODIS Satellite Imagery, 2002-2016

More than 170 satellite-derived Sea Surface Temperature and Chlorophyll-a images from July 2002 to December 2016, with a spatial resolution of approximately 1 kilometer. This dataset maps the spatial and temporal variability of the seasonal Bonney Coast upwelling system along Australia's southern shelves. The study was presented at the 2017 Australian Marine Science Association Conference and is hosted by the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Use Cases

• Analyzing seasonal patterns of upwelling intensity based on monthly SST and Chlorophyll-a signatures.
• Mapping the spatial extent of upwelling events using Topographic Position Index and image segmentation techniques.
• Investigating inter-annual variability and potential links to climate events like ENSO based on the multi-year time series.
• Studying the ecological impact of upwelling on species like krill and blue whales based on identified nutrient-rich areas.

Strengths

• Contains over 170 images providing a 14-year time series from 2002 to 2016.
• High spatial resolution of approximately 1 kilometer for detailed coastal analysis.
• Quantifies upwelling impact, noting events can influence over 10,000 km² with SST anomalies >1°C and Chlorophyll-a concentrations over 0.8 mg/m³.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect temporal bias inherent to the specific 2002-2016 observation period.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Derived from MODIS satellite data using Topographic Position Index and image segmentation techniques.

Time Range

July 2002 to December 2016

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-04 23:14:24.054995; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Bonney Coast, Australian southern shelves from Cape Jaffa, South Australia to Cape Nelson, Victoria