US-GLOBEC: The physical oceanography of Georges Bank and its impact on biology
(Dr. James J. Bisagni, Co-investigator; R. Beardsley, Principal Investigator), NSF, 2003-2007, $104,863 (Award OCE-0227679)

Sixteen-years (1985-2000) of satellite sea surface temperature (SST) data from eastern Georges Bank (GB) and western Scotian Shelf reveal strong inter-annual variability (IAV) for the presence of cold anomalies (colder than -1 °C), signifying Scotian Shelf Water Crossovers (Brunner et al., in revision; Brunner, 2007). Seasonal variability of the shelf slope front (SSF) position (Bisagni et al., 2006) between Cape Hatteras and the Tail of the Grand Banks shows a maximum seaward (shoreward) extent during winter (summer), but also shows that eastern-most and western-most monthly SSF anomalies, relative to a 20-year long-term (1973-1992) mean are 180° out of phase, with maximum seasonal SSF variability of Ο(±50 km) occurring generally east of 58°W. Seasonal westward propagation of the seaward-most (landward-most) SSF position is evident between 50° and 58° W from November to April (May to October), decreasing westward in amplitude. An Ekman coastal plume model reproduces the general seasonal cycle of the SSF along with the east-west phase shift, except in easternmost regions where SSF positional variability is maximal. IAV of the annual mean SSF position between Cape Hatteras (CH) and the Tail of the Grand Banks (TGB) from longitude-time plots reveals alternating bands of offshore (late-1970s, late-1980s, late-1990s) and onshore (early-1980s, early-1990s, early-2000s) annual mean SSF anomaly values, exhibiting a period of approximately 10 years (Bisagni et al., 2009). Complex empirical orthogonal function analysis reveals a wavelength scale of approximately 20 degrees of longitude, along with westward propagation of 1.2 to 2.4 cm s^-1 (1 to 2 km d^-1). Importantly, this study showed onshore (offshore) SSF position anomalies within the MAB corresponding to negative (positive) shelf water volume anomalies and positive (negative) shelf water salinity anomalies (Mountain, 2003).

• Bisagni, J. J., H-S. Kim, and A. Chaudhuri, (2009). Interannual variability of the shelf slope front position between 75° and 50° W. Journal of Marine Systems, 78:337-350.
• Brunner, A-M, E. G., 2007 Interannual variability of satellite-derived sea surface temperature in the western North Atlantic shelf and slope, 1985-1999. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, School for Marine Science, New Bedford, MA
• Bisagni, J. J., H.-S. Kim, and K. F. Drinkwater, 2006. Observations and modeling of shelf-slope front seasonal variability between 75° and 50° W. Deep-Sea Research II, 53:2477-2500.

US-GLOBEC: Patterns of energy flow and utilization on Georges Bank
(Dr. James J. Bisagni, Co-investigator; D. Gifford, Principal Investigator), NSF, 2003-2007, $127,593 (Award OCE-0217122)

This project synthesized key aspects of production and energy flow, based on US-GLOBEC Northwest Atlantic studies, and augmented US-GLOBEC data with information on production processes at the lower and upper levels of the food web. Objectives were to examine alternate model outcomes of GLOBEC studies to help address outstanding issues and reexamine patterns of energy flow on Georges Bank. Consideration of factors not addressed in earlier energy budgets included (1) the microbial food web, (2) new and recycled primary production, (3) spatial heterogeneity of primary and secondary production, (4) changes in biomass and production at higher trophic levels, and (5) effects of environmental forcing on production. Decadal-scale periods, reflecting differing environmental (temperature) and fish community regimes were considered: (1) the cold 1960s characterized by abundant groundfish fished by distant water fleets; (2) the 1970s, characterized by "average" water temperatures, increased domestic fishing effort, and depletion of groundfish; (3) the 1980s, characterized by "average" water temperatures, overfishing of groundfish, and increases in elasmobranchs; and (4) the "average" temperature, lower salinity 1990s, characterized by reduced fishing mortality, rebuilding of groundfish stocks, and increases in elasmobranchs and pelagic fish. Work performed by Dr. Bisagni included assembling a climatology of nutrient (NO₃+NO₂) data to calculate a proxy for new primary production, termed "potential new production" (PNP) as the difference between a "storage" term (integrated to the depth of the euphotic zone) and a vertical-flux term for three hydrographic provinces on Georges Bank.

• Bisagni, J. J., 2003. The seasonal cycles of nitrate supply and potential new production in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank regions. Journal of Geophysical Research, 108(C11), 8015, doi:10.1029/2001JC001136.
• Steele, J. H., J. S. Collie, J. J. Bisagni, D. J. Gifford, M. J. Fogarty, J. S. Link, B. K. Sullivan, M. E. Sieracki, A. R. Beet, D. G. Mountain, E. G. Durbin, D. Palka, and W. T. Stockhausen, 2007. Balancing end-to-end budgets of the Georges Bank ecosystem. Progr. Oceanography, 74:423-448.

US-GLOBEC Pan-Regional Synthesis: End-to-end energy budgets in US-GLOBEC regions
(Dr. James J. Bisagni, Principal Investigator), NSF, 2008-2012 $155,185 (Award OCE-0814391)

Physical, chemical and biological data sets have been obtained off the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region and for the US-GLOBEC Southern Ocean (SO) program in Marguerite Bay including light and nutrient profiles to estimate 'potential new production' (PNP), a proxy for actual new primary production. Additional data obtained include nutrient, light and CTD data from the US-GLOBEC SO Program and the Antarctic LTER research group for a series of stations covering the oceanic region located west of the WAP. We have computed the mean seasonal cycle of the 1% light level to determine the seasonal cycle of the euphotic zone depth. Temporal and spatial variability of primary production (PP) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) were studied off the continental shelf of the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP). Preliminary results indicate an offshore-onshore and north-south gradient in both PP and Ch-a. The primary production to chlorophyll-a ratio (PP ⁄ Chl-a) was also computed and showed an overall north-south gradient, with a positive increase southward. We speculate that this trend could be due to grazing, oceanographic processes, photosynthetic efficiencies of the plankton or a combination thereof. Three 'hotspot' sites within the WAP (off Anvers Island (AI), off Crystal Sound (CS) and off Marguerite Bay (MB)) were further investigated. All three sites showed above average rates and concentrations of PP and Chl-a, respectively, when compared with adjacent waters. Waters around MB had the highest PP rates (2.35 ± 0.69 g C m^-2 day^-1), while those off AI in the north had the lowest rates (1.04 ± 0.09 g C m^-2 day^-1). Overall PP for the WAP region during the peak growing season (January) was maximal on year day 23 (1.05 ± 0.12 g C m^-2 day^-1).

• Pedulli, M., and J. J. Bisagni, A comprehensive analysis of integrated light, nutrients, and primary production to estimate potential new production off the West Antarctic Peninsula. (in-prep)
• Pedulli, M., and J. J. Bisagni, 2012, Temporal and spatial variability of primary production and chlorophyll in the waters off of the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region. Poster presentation, AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting, February 19-23, 2012, Salt Lake City, UT.

Satellite-Derived sea surface temperature (SST) data for southern New England,
(Dr. James J. Bisagni, Principal Investigator), UMass Dartmouth Chancellor's Research Fund and the Joseph P. Healey Endowment Grant, 2012-2013, $9,931

Through collaboration with Dr. Andrew Thomas' Satellite Oceanography Laboratory at the University of Maine Orono, we will be providing near real-time satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) images and data for the southern New England region important to fisheries, for immediate use by stakeholders as outlined below. This project will then archive all SST images and data for the region for non real-time use by stakeholders, allowing development of a regional, historical SST time series data base. These data will also provide preliminary data for process oriented oceanographic research to be proposed to the National Science Foundation (NSF) that will focus on the continental shelf off southern New England using the NSF's "Pioneer" instrument array scheduled to be deployed during the 2013-2014 time frame. This project will also provide important training in "operational oceanography" through a Research Assistantship to Mr. Marco Pedulli, Graduate Student.

MAR 555 - Introductory Physical Oceanography

Fundamental physical oceanographical processes important to coastal and open ocean environments. Included in the course are lectures by current researchers in specialized topics such as satellite oceanography and numerical modeling. (3 credits)

MAR 562 - Satellite Oceanography

This course provides an overview of the use of satellite-based remote sensing for making measurements within the marine environment. Each of the primary satellite sensors used by oceanographers is introduced along with the principles behind their operation, measurement retrieval, data handling, and data interpretation/usage. (3 credits)

MAR 661 - Physical Oceanography of Shallow Seas

Physical oceanographic processes important to European and U.S. shallow seas, continental shelves and banks and their relationship to nutrients and biology (plankton and fish) in these regions. (3 credits)

MAR 662 - Physical-Biological Interactions in the Oceans

Fundamental physical-biological interactions are explored using lectures, readings and sample problems. This course is designed to be interdisciplinary and emphasizes the relationships between physical oceanographic processes and oceanic biology over a variety of spatial and temporal scales. A mini-research project or term paper is required. (3 credits)