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SECOORA: A Regional Association of the US Integrated Ocean Observing System
Coastal and Ocean Observing Supports People Who
Live, Work, and Play on the Southeast's Coasts and Oceans
What is a Coastal Ocean Observing System?
Benefits of Observing
A coastal ocean observing system is a combination of
instruments on buoys, satellites, ships, drifters and
underwater vehicles that are used to make observations
of the coast and ocean. Computer models are
developed as part of the system to understand the
ecosystem and make forecasts of changing conditions.
Mapping the Direction of the Currents
SECOORA is a critical player in the development of a
national system of high frequency radars (HF Radar).
This technology has been nationally recognized as a
solution to provide the level of detail required by
scientists, emergency responders and marine
forecasters to measure surface current speed and
direction. Scientists from the University of South
Carolina, in collaboration with the Skidaway Institute of
Oceanography and the University of North Carolina, are
in the process of establishing two new HF Radar stations
for monitoring the ocean surface currents and waves in
Long Bay. Each station remotely measures the surface
ocean currents up to 120 miles offshore and when
combined they create maps of temporal and spatial
distribution of waves and currents over the entire area.
If you are a commercial shipping vessel, a recreational
fisherman, a kayaker, or a beachcomber, you need
information on tides, winds, and other ocean conditions. This
map is an example of how users can access coastal and ocean
observations along the Southeast coast. Each station provides
information such as the latest observed values including air
temperature, wind speed, sea temperature, and water level.
Users can explore and query buoy and other data through the
SECOORA Interactive Map (www.secoora.org).
The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) is a
federal, regional, and private-sector partnership
working to enhance our ability to collect, deliver, and
use information. IOOS delivers the data and
information necessary to increase our understanding of
our oceans and coasts so that decision makers,
including emergency managers, can take action to
improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the
environment, by providing science based information
products and solutions. Eleven Regional Associations
comprise IOOS. SECOORA, the Southeast Coastal Ocean
Observing Regional Association, is working to
coordinate projects and leverage resources to serve a
broad range of societal needs in North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia and Florida. SECOORA is
headquartered in Charleston, SC.
The data collected from the HF Radar are critical in helping
scientists to understand the development of phytoplankton
blooms. During the summer, phytoplankton blooms can cause
low oxygen conditions. The mechanisms for bloom
development during the winter are not well known yet, but
may prove to be beneficial, as it could provide a favorable
feeding environment for larval fishes. Image Credit: Jennifer
Dorton, University of North Carolina - Wilmington.
Supporting South Carolina Tourism
State public health agencies, in conjunction with local
governments, routinely monitor the bacterial water
quality of the Southeast’s ocean swimming beaches.
These monitoring data are used to post swimming
advisories, with the goal of allowing the public to make
informed decisions concerning recreating in waters
presenting a potential for adverse health effects. Per
current EPA guidelines, agencies test for the bacterial
indicator, Enterococcus, to determine bacterial water
quality and issue water quality swimming advisories.
The method used to determine Enterococcus
concentrations requires a 24-hour incubation period
before results can be assessed. Decision makers are
therefore issuing and lifting advisories based on the
previous day’s water quality. In partnership with the
South Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control (SCDHEC), a collaborative team
including the University of South Carolina and
University of Maryland, is enhancing a user application
with new models and an automated, database-driven
tool for bacteria estimates and visualization of model
results for enhanced prediction and analysis of this
public health concern.
"This model has reduced the sampling burden for
our Regional staff; but the major benefit has been
the Department's quicker response time for
posting beach advisories and subsequent
enhancement of our agency's primary mission of
protecting the public health."
David E. Tilson, PE
Chief, Bureau of Water, SCDHEC
Conservation and Sustainability in Florida
Growing energy demands are pushing oil and gas
exploration efforts further offshore, increasing the need
for regional-scale baseline environmental data. These
data are also needed for effective coastal and marine
spatial planning and the development of ecosystem
models to manage fisheries and aquaculture.
To enhance and wisely manage the state’s economically
important fishing and tourism industries in a sustainable
manner, increased oceanographic and other regionalscale environmental data are needed. SECOORA and
the Gulf Coast IOOS Region have demonstrated the
value of ocean observing systems to Floridians:
o Storm surge and intensity data are used by the
National Weather Service and National Hurricane
Center.
o Red tide forecasts aid the state’s $60 billion tourism
industry.
o Real-time oceanographic and model data were
critical to the NOAA Office of Response and
Restoration during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
o Ecosystem models are being developed to guide
management of Florida’s $11 billion fishing
industry, which supports more than 150,000 jobs.
Understanding Impacts to Marine Ecosystems
Understanding the connectivity between the ocean
environment and upland ecosystems is critical for
monitoring water quality and understanding impacts to
marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. Remotely
sensed ocean color products provide a mechanism to
understand this connection and are proving to be a
critical management tool for NOAA’s Coral Health and
Monitoring Program. University of South Florida's
Optical Oceanography Laboratory at the College of
Marine Science is working with these regional ocean
managers to generate a glint-free color index (CI)
product for the SECOORA region and provide it via a
Web interface. The Integrated Coral Observing Network
(ICON) Coral Health and Monitoring program uses the
small-scale eddies observed from these new products to
help monitor the hydrodynamics in the delicate coral
ecosystem, such as those found in Gray's Reef National
Marine Sanctuary.
The Gray's Reef National Marine Santuary is engaged in
SECOORA as a key stakeholder and user of the data and
information that comes from the observing systems and the
models based on these observations. This photo shows an
orange ridged sea star (Echinaster spinulosus) and large white
sponge dominate scene composed of numerous invertebrates.
Image Credit: Greg McFall, Gray's Reef NMS, NOS, NOAA,
NOAA Photo Library.
For more information, please contact Debra Hernandez,
Executive Director, at [email protected] and visit our
Web site at www.secoora.org.
SECOORA: A Regional Association of the US Integrated Ocean Observing System
Information for Floridians Who
Live, Work, and Play on the Coasts and Oceans
Coastal and Ocean Observing Supports Floridians
What is a Coastal Ocean Observing System?
Benefits to Floridians
A coastal ocean observing system is a combination of
instruments on buoys, satellites, ships, drifters and
underwater vehicles that are used to make observations
of the coast and ocean. Computer models are
developed as part of the system to understand the
ecosystem and make forecasts of changing conditions.
Conservation and Sustainability
Growing energy demands are pushing oil & gas
exploration efforts further offshore, increasing the need
for regional-scale baseline environmental data. These
data are also needed for effective coastal and marine
spatial planning and the development of ecosystem
models to manage fisheries and aquaculture.
The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) is a
federal, regional, and private-sector partnership
working to enhance our ability to collect, deliver, and
use information. IOOS delivers the data and
information necessary to increase our understanding of
our oceans and coasts so that decision makers,
including emergency managers, can take action to
improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the
environment, by providing science based information
products and solutions. Eleven Regional Associations
(RAs) comprise IOOS. Florida, with its coast spanning
from the southeast U.S. to the Gulf of Mexico, bridges
two of these RAs, and over 50 Florida institutions, nonprofits and private sector partners are engaged. The
Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System
Regional Association (GCOOS-RA) and the Southeast
Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association
(SECOORA) are working together with Floridians to
coordinate projects and leverage resources to serve a
broad range of societal needs.
Florida’s oceans and coasts annually provide over $562 billion in cash
flow and hundreds of thousands of jobs. Their protection is of critical
importance to the state. Photo credit: Chip Cotton.
To enhance and wisely manage the state’s economically
important fishing and tourism industries in a sustainable
manner, increased oceanographic and other regionalscale environmental data are needed. SECOORA and
the GCOOS-RA have demonstrated the value of ocean
observing systems to Floridians:
o Storm surge and intensity data are used by the
National Weather Service and National Hurricane
Center.
o Red tide forecasts aid the state’s $60 billion tourism
industry.
o Real-time oceanographic and model data were
critical to the NOAA Office of Response and
Restoration during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
o Ecosystem models are being developed to guide
management of Florida’s $11 billion fishing
industry, which supports more than 150,000 jobs.
Supporting Florida’s Tourism
Forecasts of weather and ocean conditions are
important deciding factors for citizens and visitors
planning their recreational activities. Information from
observing systems enables Floridians and visitors to
make informed decisions. For example, the University
of South Florida’s Fred Howard Park meteorological and
tidal station in Tarpon Springs provides water level, tide
and wind conditions and is frequently used by kite
surfers and kayakers. Mote Marine Lab’s Beach
Conditions Report provides twice-daily updates on red
tide, oil and other water quality parameters along 33 of
Florida’s west coast beaches (see
www.mote.org/beaches).
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Improved ocean forecasts and predictions of extreme
coastal storms and long-term water level changes
require increased ocean observations to drive the
forecast models. SECOORA and the GCOOS-RA
contribute to minimizing the risk of damage and loss of
lives and property by:
o Providing better data and information for
emergency managers to use in making timely
hazard and disaster notifications that minimize
personal risks.
o Providing understanding of the natural processes
that produce hazards.
Ports and Homeland Security
Florida ports contribute significantly to the nation’s
economy. With the expected increase in worldwide
waterborne trade, there is a growing need to ensure
Florida ports can be responsive to expansion
opportunities while minimizing terrorist threats.
o Information from coastal ocean observing systems
provides routine real-time observations and
predictions necessary for safe and efficient ship
movements in and out of ports.
o Radars, once used only as collision-avoidance
technology, now support Maritime Domain
Awareness via the Automated Identification System
(AIS) that monitors vessel traffic.
o Biological and chemical sensors assist homeland
security in identifying and tracking water borne
pollution and counter-acting maritime based
terrorism.
Alternative Energy
The infrastructure and information from coastal ocean
observing systems aid the development of alternative
energy sources (e.g., offshore wind farms and energy
derived from ocean currents, tides and waves) by
helping to identify sites that maximize return on the
investment and minimize environmental impacts, and
by promoting efficiency and safety during operations.
As a peninsula nearly surrounded by water, Florida’s
economy is in every way touched by the ocean. It is
vital that we continually advance our understandings
on the complex workings of our estuarine, coastal
and adjacent deep-ocean regions to better serve the
citizens of Florida and the nation.
Robert H. Weisberg
University of South Florida
St. Petersburg Times, June 5, 2011
Coordinated Coastal and
Ocean Observing in Florida
The GCOOS-RA and SECOORA have overlapping
geographies on the west coast of Florida and share
planning and coordination responsibilities. They work
with the Florida Coastal Ocean Observing System
Consortium (FLCOOS), a group of Florida-based
universities, non-profit organizations and private
companies, that collaborate on numerous monitoring,
mapping and modeling efforts (e.g., harmful algal
blooms and current monitoring), including coordination
of data management systems to make information
seamless, easily accessible and more useful. To reach
the full potential of the system and maximize
efficiencies, the RAs and FLCOOS work together and
coordinate activities for the benefit of our common
stakeholders—the citizens and visitors of Florida—as
part of our nation’s IOOS.
For More Information
FLCOOS: Mitchell A. Roffer, Ph.D., Chair
[email protected]. www.marine.usf.edu/flcoos/
SECOORA: Debra Hernandez, Executive Director
[email protected]. www.secoora.org
GCOOS-RA: Dr. Ann Jochens, Regional Coordinator
[email protected]. www.gcoos.org
Port Everglades total financial impact amounts to approximately $18
billion in business activity, 185,000 jobs statewide, and $623.5
million in state and local tax revenue. (http://www.floridaports.org)
Coastal and Ocean Observing Supports Floridians
SECOORA: A Regional Association of the US Integrated Ocean Observing System
Information for Georgians Who
Live, Work, and Play on the Coasts and Oceans
Coastal and Ocean Observing Supports Georgia
What is a Coastal Ocean Observing System?
Benefits to Georgia
A coastal ocean observing system is a combination of
instruments on buoys, satellites, ships, drifters and
underwater vehicles that are used to make observations
of the coast and ocean. Computer models are
developed as part of the system to understand the
ecosystem and make forecasts of changing conditions.
Accessing Coastal and
Ocean Data
If you are a commercial shipping vessel, a recreational
fisherman, a kayaker, or a beachcomber, you need
information on tides, winds, and other ocean
conditions. The map on the left is an example of how
users can access coastal and ocean observations along
the Georgia coast. Each station provides information
such as the latest observed values including air
temperature, wind speed, sea temperature, and water
level.
Users can explore and query buoy and other data through
the SECOORA Interactive Map (www.secoora.org).
The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) is a
federal, regional, and private-sector partnership
working to enhance our ability to collect, deliver, and
use information. IOOS delivers the data and
information necessary to increase our understanding of
our oceans and coasts so that decision makers,
including emergency managers, can take action to
improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the
environment, by providing science based information
products and solutions. Eleven Regional Associations
comprise IOOS. SECOORA, the Southeast Coastal Ocean
Observing Regional Association, is working to
coordinate projects and leverage resources to serve a
broad range of societal needs in North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia and Florida. SECOORA is
headquartered in Charleston, SC.
Georgia members include the Georgia Aquarium,
Kennesaw State University, and Skidaway
Institute of Oceanography (SkIO).
Coastal and Ocean Observing Supports Georgians
Mapping the Direction of the Currents
SECOORA is a critical player in the development of a
national system of high frequency radars (HF Radar).
This technology has been nationally recognized as a
solution to provide the level of detail required by
scientists and forecasters to measure surface current
speed and direction. Scientists from the University of
South Carolina, in collaboration with the SkIO and the
University of North Carolina, are in the process of
establishing two new HF Radar stations for monitoring
the ocean surface currents and waves in Long Bay. Each
station remotely measures the surface ocean currents
up to 120 miles offshore and when combined they
create maps of temporal and spatial distribution of
waves and currents over the entire area.
The data collected from the HF Radar are critical in helping
scientists to understand the development of phytoplankton
blooms. During the summer, phytoplankton blooms can cause
low oxygen conditions. The mechanisms for bloom
development during the winter are not well known yet, but
may prove to be beneficial, as it could provide a favorable
feeding environment for larval fishes. Image Credit: Jennifer
Dorton, University of North Carolina - Wilmington.
Understanding Impacts to Marine Ecosystems
Understanding the connectivity between the ocean
environment and upland ecosystems is critical for
monitoring water quality and understanding impacts to
marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. Remotely
sensed ocean color products provide a mechanism to
understand this connection and are proving to be a
critical management tool for NOAA’s Coral Health and
Monitoring Program. University of South Florida's
Optical Oceanography Laboratory at the College of
Marine Science is working with these regional ocean
managers to generate a glint-free color index (CI)
product for the SECOORA region and provide it via a
Web interface. The Integrated Coral Observing Network
(ICON) Coral Health and Monitoring program uses the
small-scale eddies observed from these new products to
help monitor the hydrodynamics in the delicate coral
ecosystem, such as those found in Gray's Reef National
Marine Sanctuary.
down, functional platform for collecting information on
water conditions and chemistry to university scientists
and informal and formal educators. BOB can be moored
to the bottom of a water body or to a dock in quiet
waters. Sensors on the buoy typically include salinity,
dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature.
Angela Bliss from University of Georgia and Jim Nelson from
Skidaway Institute of Oceanography assemble a BOB, a Basic
Observation Buoy designed to teach students from
kindergarten through graduate school about observing
technologies. This image is from the first BOB Workshop held
at SkIO. Image Credit: Lundie Spence, COSEE-SE.
The Gray's Reef National Marine Santuary is engaged in
SECOORA as a key stakeholder and user of the data and
information that comes from the observing systems and the
models based on these observations. This photo shows an
orange ridged sea star (Echinaster spinulosus) and large white
sponge dominate scene composed of numerous invertebrates.
Image Credit: Greg McFall, Gray's Reef NMS, NOS, NOAA,
NOAA Photo Library.
Educating Tomorrows Ocean Leaders
Fostering ocean literacy is a primary goal of SECOORA's
education and outreach efforts, with a focus specifically
on observing technologies and tools. One example is
the Basic Observation Buoy (BOB) project. BOB is a
student-built floating platform with capacity to carry a
suite of environmental sensors. Three interactive
workshops have introduced this concept of a scaled-
Coastal and Ocean Observing Supports Georgians
Supporting Georgia's Environmental Efforts
SECOORA is a member of the southeast (SE)
Atlantic‐Marine Debris Initiative (SEA-MDI) Consortium,
housed at University of Georgia. This regional
partnership with NOAA’s Marine Debris Division aims to
create collaborative regional strategies addressing
Marine Debris prevention, reduction and mitigation.
This program will enhance existing programs and
partnerships by increasing involvement of
organizations, industry, and/or communities in
preventing marine debris. It also combines resources
with national and regional partners to increase the
geographic scope and pace of marine debris prevention
activities through the use of culturally relevant outreach
methods, information on alternative disposal methods,
and the development and dissemination of tools and
innovative products to address marine debris.
For more information, please contact Debra Hernandez,
Executive Director, at [email protected] and visit our
Web site at www.secoora.org.
SECOORA: A Regional Association of the US Integrated Ocean Observing System
Information for North Carolinians Who
Live, Work, and Play on the Coasts and Oceans
Coastal and Ocean Observing Supports North Carolina
What is a Coastal Ocean Observing System?
A coastal ocean observing system is a combination of
instruments on buoys, satellites, ships, drifters and
underwater vehicles that are used to make observations
of the coast and ocean. Computer models are
developed as part of the system to understand the
ecosystem and make forecasts of changing conditions.
Benefits to
North Carolina
Accessing Coastal and Ocean Data
If you are a commercial shipping vessel, a recreational
fisherman, a kayaker, or a beachcomber, you need
information on tides, winds, and other ocean
conditions. The map below is an example of how users
can access coastal and ocean observations along the
North Carolina coast. Oceanographic data are displayed
from seven real-time moorings managed and operated
through partnerships between University North
Carolina - Wilmington and University South Carolina.
Each station provides information such as air
temperature, wind speed, sea surface temperature,
waves, and water level.
Data from this buoy, deployed 20 miles off the coast of
North Carolina, is used to verify model output, and is
analyzed for Coastal Waters Forecasts, rip current
predictions, and other marine weather
applications).Image Credit: UNCW/Jamie Moncrief
The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) is a
federal, regional, and private-sector partnership
working to enhance our ability to collect, deliver, and
use information. IOOS delivers the data and
information necessary to increase our understanding of
our oceans and coasts so that decision makers,
including emergency managers, can take action to
improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the
environment, by providing science based information
products and solutions. Eleven Regional Associations
comprise IOOS. SECOORA, the Southeast Coastal Ocean
Observing Regional Association, is working to
coordinate projects and leverage resources to serve a
broad range of societal needs in North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia and Florida. SECOORA is
headquartered in Charleston, SC.
North Carolina members include Duke University,
East Carolina University, North Carolina State
University, University North Carolina - Chapel Hill,
and University North Carolina - Wilmington.
Coastal and Ocean Observing Supports North Carolinians
Users can explore and query buoy and other data through
the SECOORA Interactive Map (www.secoora.org).
“The USACE Field Research Facility in Duck, NC is
working with University and NWS partners to use
coastal observations collected by North Carolina
monitoring programs to develop and implement
improved wind, wave and storm surge prediction
models for the Carolinas…The results provide NWS
forecasters with the confidence they need to select
which modeling products to use for a given
operational forecast”
Dr. Jeff Hanson,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Mapping the Direction of the Currents
SECOORA is a critical player in the development of a
national system of high frequency radars (HF Radar).
This technology has been nationally recognized as a
solution to provide the level of detail required by
scientists and marine forecasters to measure surface
current speed and direction. The University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill supports two HF Radar units on
the NC Outer Banks. Applications of HF Radar that
require access to densely distributed, near-real-time
current measurements in the SECOORA region are
search and rescue operations; tracking and predicting
oil spills and harmful algal blooms; assessing shoreline
erosion; predicting rip currents; and providing maritime
forecasts of currents and waves to recreational and
commercial marine communities.
HF Radar Installation in Long Bay, Image Credit: Jennifer
Dorton, University of North Carolina - Wilmington
Modeling North Carolina's Environment for
Better Forecasting
Data is incorporated into computer models developed
to simulate the coastal ocean environment. Models can
be used to help forecast ocean transport pathways,
such as those responsible for the circulation of coastal
pollutants, small marine organisms, and nutrients.
Models also aid in assessing climate change and
variability and their potential effects on coastal
communities. SECOORA supports North Carolina
researchers and their various modeling efforts.
Regional Circulation Modeling
North Carolina State University operates a regional
modeling effort built upon an existing circulation
nowcast/forecast modeling system covering the entire
South Atlantic Bight and Gulf of Mexico. The model is
driven by meteorological information, tides, rivers, and
deep ocean boundary conditions.
Coastal and Ocean Observing Supports North Carolinians
Forecasting of Storm Surge, Inundation, and
Coastal Circulation
This modeling component provides real-time
forecasting to support operational management of
water control structures and utility infrastructure, and
supports emergency management efforts during
hurricane season.
Educating Tomorrows Ocean Leaders
Fostering ocean literacy is a primary goal of SECOORA's
education and outreach efforts, with a focus specifically
on observing technologies and tools. One example is
the Basic Observation Buoy (BOB) project. BOB is a
student-built floating platform with the capacity to
carry a suite of environmental sensors. Three
interactive workshops have introduced this concept of a
scaled-down, functional platform for collecting
information on water conditions and chemistry to
university scientists and informal and formal educators.
BOB can be moored to the water body bottom or to a
dock in quiet waters. Sensors on the buoy typically
record salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature.
The BOB concept has been incorporated into
undergraduate and graduate courses at UNCWilmington (UNCW). Data managers at UNCW are also
being funded by SECOORA to provide a mapping portal
for students around the country to upload the data
collected by BOB.
Two high school students deploy a BOB, a Basic Observation
Buoy, designed to teach students from kindergarten through
graduate school about observing technologies. This image is
from the second BOB Workshop held at UNCW. Image Credit:
SECOORA.
For more information, please contact Debra Hernandez,
Executive Director, at [email protected] and visit our
Web site at www.secoora.org.
SECOORA: A Regional Association of the US Integrated Ocean Observing System
Information for South Carolinians Who
Live, Work, and Play on the Coasts and Oceans
Coastal and Ocean Observing Supports South Carolina
What is a Coastal Ocean Observing System?
A coastal ocean observing system is a combination of
instruments on buoys, satellites, ships, drifters and
underwater vehicles that are used to make observations
of the coast and ocean. Computer models are
developed as part of the system to understand the
ecosystem and make forecasts of changing conditions.
Users can explore and query buoy and other data through
the SECOORA Interactive Map (www.secoora.org).
The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) is a
federal, regional, and private-sector partnership
working to enhance our ability to collect, deliver, and
use information. IOOS delivers the data and
information necessary to increase our understanding of
our oceans and coasts so that decision makers,
including emergency managers, can take action to
improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the
environment, by providing science based information
products and solutions. Eleven Regional Associations
comprise IOOS. SECOORA, the Southeast Coastal Ocean
Observing Regional Association, is working to
coordinate projects and leverage resources to serve a
broad range of societal needs in North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
SECOORA is headquartered in Charleston, SC. South
Carolina members include Coastal Carolina University,
Research Planning, Inc. (RPI), South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council, South Carolina Department of
Natural Resources, South Carolina Sea Grant
Consortium, and University of South Carolina Arnold
School of Public Health and College of Arts and
Sciences.
Coastal and Ocean Observing Supports South Carolinians
Benefits to South
Carolina
Accessing Coastal and Ocean Data
If you are a commercial shipping vessel, a recreational
fisher, a kayaker, or a beachcomber, you need
information on tides, winds, and other ocean
conditions. The map to the left is an example of how
users can access coastal and ocean observations along
the South Carolina coast. Each station provides
information such as the latest observed values for air
temperature, wind speed, sea temperature, and water
level.
Mapping the Direction of the Currents
SECOORA is a critical player in the development of a
national system of high frequency radars (HF Radar).
This technology has been nationally recognized as a
solution to provide the level of detail required by
scientists, emergency responders and marine
forecasters to measure surface current speed and
direction. Scientists from the University of South
Carolina, in collaboration with the Skidaway Institute of
Oceanography and the University of North Carolina, are
in the process of establishing two new HF Radar stations
for monitoring the ocean surface currents and waves in
Long Bay. Each station remotely measures the surface
ocean currents up to 120 miles offshore and when
combined they create maps of temporal and spatial
distribution of waves and currents over the entire area.
The data collected from the HF Radar are critical in helping
scientists to understand the development of phytoplankton
blooms. During the summer, phytoplankton blooms can cause
low oxygen conditions. The mechanisms for bloom
development during the winter are not well known yet, but
may prove to be beneficial, as it could provide a favorable
feeding environment for larval fishes. Image Credit: Jennifer
Dorton, University of North Carolina - Wilmington.
Supporting South Carolina Tourism
State public health agencies, in conjunction with local
governments, routinely monitor the bacterial water
quality of the Southeast’s ocean swimming beaches.
These monitoring data are used to post swimming
advisories, with the goal of allowing the public to make
informed decisions concerning recreating in waters
presenting a potential for adverse health effects. Per
current EPA guidelines, agencies test for the bacterial
indicator, Enterococcus, to determine bacterial water
quality and issue water quality swimming advisories.
The method used to determine Enterococcus
concentrations requires a 24-hour incubation period
before results can be assessed. Decision makers are
therefore issuing and lifting advisories based on the
previous day’s water quality. In partnership with the
South Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control (SCDHEC), a collaborative team
including the University of South Carolina and
University of Maryland, is enhancing a user application
with new models and an automated, database-driven
tool for bacteria estimates and visualization of model
results for enhanced prediction and analysis of this
public health concern.
Educating Tomorrows Ocean Leaders
Fostering ocean literacy is a primary goal of SECOORA's
education and outreach efforts, with a focus specifically
on observing technologies and tools. One example is
the Basic Observation Buoy (BOB) project. BOB is a
student-built floating platform with capacity to carry a
suite of environmental sensors. Three interactive
workshops have introduced this concept of a scaleddown, functional platform for collecting information on
water conditions and chemistry to university scientists
and informal and formal educators. BOB can be moored
to the bottom or to a dock in quiet waters. Sensors on
the buoy typically include salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH,
and temperature.
SECOORA member Lisa G. Adams, Angela Taylor (Teacher at Hilton
Head Prep) and Crystal Fialkowski (Hilton Head Prep student) are
pictured above on the floating dock at Jarvis Creek deploying a BOB.
Example of Beach Monitoring GIS System
"This model has reduced the sampling burden for our
Regional staff; but the major benefit has been the
Department's quicker response time for posting beach
advisories and subsequent enhancement of our
agency's primary mission of protecting the public
health."
David E. Tilson, PE
Chief, Bureau of Water, SCDHEC
Coastal and Ocean Observing Supports South Carolinians
Alternative Energy
The infrastructure and information from coastal ocean
observing systems aid the development of alternative
energy sources (e.g., offshore wind farms and energy
derived from ocean currents, tides and waves) by
helping to identify sites that maximize return on the
investment and minimize environmental impacts, and
by promoting efficiency and safety during operations.
SECOORA has been engaged in wind energy
development in South Carolina through engagement
with the Regulatory Task Force for Coastal Clean Energy
and via workshops on Offshore Wind Energy
Development and participation in the working groups.
For more information, please contact Debra Hernandez,
Executive Director, at [email protected] and visit our
Web site at www.secoora.org.