Optical Dynamics in the Adriatic Sea: Production, Transformation and Transport of Optical Properties from the Coastal Zone into the Open Ocean

The fundamental goals of this research are to understand the coupling of the optical dynamics of the ocean with physical forcing in both coastal and open ocean environments. We specifically want to better understand these processes by Examining the interaction between physical and bio-optical responses of the upper ocean to atmospheric forcing. Observing the details of bio-optical influences of instabilities, secondary circulations and vertical motions associated with upper ocean fronts. Examining the role of river inputs into the coastal zone on the dissolved and particulate components that contribute to the optical properties on the continental shelf. Studying the exchange between the continental shelf and open ocean through cross-shelf transport processes including filament-related processes that have been observed in coastal regions throughout the world. Providing statistically meaningful spatial mapping of optical parameters for ground truthing of optical remote sensors.