Coastal Waters Investigation

Using the background exploration into coastal sediments, you will investigate other coastal zones of “sensitivity”. Your challenge will be to utilize the historical satellite imagery, the coastal data both archival and current, data from scientific research, and your knowledge of maps and topography to forecast coastal embayments that could become problem zones.

1. Visit the coastal observing stations at the link below:
   http://www.csc.noaa.gov/coos/
   
   Select an area of interest to you such as the Gulf of Maine. Compare satellite imagery for this local area over a period of time – do you notice any differences in the SST or the chlorophyll counts?
   
   
2. View the drainage basin by using the link below:
   http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm
   
   What is the size and extent of the watershed for this coastal area?
   
   What kind of land use is the predominant in this watershed?
   
   
3. Is the scientific community also interested in your selected coastal area?
   http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/projects/location/
   
   What special interest projects may be occurring in this area that would help you understand how the coastal waters may be impacted by sedimentation?
   
   
4. What link does your coastal area have to intensely studied coastal zones?
   http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/
   http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/programs/sofia.html
   
   Is your coastal area part of a larger integrated investigation such as the South Florida Ecosystem?
   
   
5. What significant weather events may have impacted this area over the last 10 years?
   http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/rainfall.html
   
   How does the satellite imagery during this severe weather event provide a clearer picture of the impact of this event on the coastal waters?