Satellite-based Virtual Buoy Observation Network as Water Quality Support Tool for Oyster Sustainability in Mississippi Sound

 
 

Impacts of sediment-rich freshwater across the Mississippi Sound caused by 2019 Bonnet Carré Spillway openings: (a) prior opening - 11/18/2018, (b) during 1st opening - 03/30/2019, (c) during 2nd opening - 06/28/2019, and (d) after openings – 08/29/2019. This project will advance the use of satellite observing systems to characterize and quantify the impacts of freshwater inputs on water quality across oyster reefs.

Principal Investigators: Drs. Vitor Martins (MSU), Eric Sparks (MSU), Joel Paz (MSU), Uilson Aires (MSU)

Team Members: Rejane Paulino (PhD), Postdoctoral Associate (TBD), 2 extension associates (TBD)

Award Amount: $615,000

Project Description

Goal:

Develop a new support tool, called Satellite-based Virtual Buoy Observation Network, to characterize water quality using satellite observations at oyster reef sites across Mississippi Sound 

Why it is Important:

Environmental stressors are changing oyster habitats in many ways, and a continuous monitoring system is critical to identify existing and emerging water quality issues for oyster sustainability. This project will establish a new virtual buoy observation network with satellite observations to advance the scientific understanding of water quality changes and trends in oyster reef areas, including the sediment-rich freshwater dynamic (i.e., timing, duration, frequency) and algae blooms in Mississippi Sound.  

Objectives:

  • Develop a satellite image processing framework to derive water quality products in Mississippi Sound

  • Implement the satellite-based virtual buoy observation network and the interactive data portal

  • Evaluate the impact of sediment-rich freshwater inflow from Bonnet Carré Spillway openings in Mississippi oyster reefs 

Expected Outcomes and Management Impacts:

  • Establish new satellite-based water quality products from 2016 to the present across Mississippi Sound

  • Create 75 virtual buoy stations and characterize the pattern and trends of important water quality indicators proximal to oyster reefs

  • Investigate the dynamic of turbidity and chlorophyll-a concentrations prior to, during, and after Bonnet Carré Spillway openings to understand the implications of sediment-rich freshwater inputs and algae blooms for oyster sustainability 

OUTREACH:

We will organize seminars for undergraduate students in the MSU Biosystems Engineering program and the new interdisciplinary marine sciences minor. We will promote the research outcomes and the new interactive portal at regional Gulf of Mexico events (e.g., Gulf of Mexico Conference, Bays and Bayous Symposium, and Grand Bay NERR Research Symposium). 

 
 
 
 

Project Outputs