Bonney Coast Upwelling Dynamics from MODIS Satellite Imagery

Over 170 satellite-derived Sea Surface Temperature and Chlorophyll-a images from July 2002 to December 2016 map the seasonal Bonney Coast upwelling system. The dataset was created by researchers using MODIS data and presented at the 2017 Australian Marine Science Association Conference. It captures the spatial extent and intensity of upwelling events, which can influence over 10,000 km2 of ocean surface.

Use Cases

• Analyze the temporal variability of upwelling intensity using the monthly and inter-annual Sea Surface Temperature anomaly signatures.
• Model the relationship between upwelling extent and Chlorophyll-a concentration, where levels often exceed 0.8 mg/m3.
• Investigate the spatial footprint of upwelling events by applying Topographic Position Index and segmentation techniques to the ~1km resolution imagery.
• Correlate the identified upwelling seasons (November to April) with external climate indices like ENSO to study driving factors.

Strengths

• Time-series spans over 14 years (July 2002 to Dec 2016), enabling long-term trend analysis.
• Includes two key oceanographic variables (SST and Chlorophyll-a) across more than 170 images.
• Spatial resolution of approximately 1 kilometer allows for detailed mapping of coastal features.
• Quantifies upwelling area (over 10,000 km2) and Chlorophyll-a concentration anomalies with specific thresholds.

Limitations

• Dataset size and exact row/record count are unspecified.
• The temporal coverage ends in 2016, lacking recent years for contemporary climate studies.
• Relies on satellite-derived products which can have data gaps due to cloud cover or sensor issues.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network, based on research presented at the 2017 Australian Marine Science Association Conference.

Collection Method

Derived from MODIS satellite imagery, processed using a combination of Topographic Position Index and image segmentation techniques.

Time Range

July 2002 to December 2016

Freshness

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Geography

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