Phytoplankton response to climate change (PRIME)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Exeter
Department Name: Geography
Abstract
Phytoplankton are at the heart of the Earth system, connecting light to life in the ocean. Considered the most dynamic primary producer on Earth, regenerating every two to five days, they respond rapidly to changes in their environment, modulate the planetary cycling of major elements and compounds, and supply energy to the marine food-web. Understanding the response of phytoplankton to climate change is critical to predicting future changes in the Earth system. Approaching 25 years of continuous data acquisition, and with an unparalleled capability to view the entire planet within a few days, satellite remote sensing of ocean colour is our principal means of monitoring phytoplankton abundance at global scale, through estimates of the chlorophyll-a pigment concentration, a measure of phytoplankton abundance. However, there are two major challenges to using satellite remote sensing of ocean colour for monitoring trends in phytoplankton abundance. Firstly, converting the ocean-colour signal into estimates of phytoplankton abundance demands consideration of the phytoplankton type present and other optically active constituents in the water. Standard phytoplankton abundance algorithms in use by space agencies assume these constituents co-vary, which is unsuitable for detecting long-term trends as climate change may alter these constituents in different ways. Secondly, the signal retrieved by satellite is only representative of the surface layer of the ocean (top 40 m at most). For many regions, below the surface layer (40-200 m), there exists a forest of phytoplankton hidden from the eyes of the satellite. At present, ocean-colour trends in surface phytoplankton abundance using standard algorithms cannot be trusted, and we cannot be sure that, if any such trends exist, they are representative of changes in the forest hidden below.
In this project, my team will develop the first ocean-colour algorithm designed specifically for monitoring climate change, that separates signals from water constituents using a theoretical and ecological framework, that harnesses the principles of compound remote sensing (thermal and visible satellite remote sensing). It will be run on climate-quality ocean satellite data records, recently available through the European Space Agency, to produce a multi-decadal record of surface phytoplankton abundance. Furthermore, by mining vertical profiles of phytoplankton abundance from the past 30+ years of oceanographic sampling and emerging autonomous ocean robotics, my team will also produce a global, multi-decadal record of subsurface phytoplankton abundance. Bringing these data records together, we will quantify the effect of anthropogenic climate change on phytoplankton abundance, at least in parts of the ocean where the record is long-enough. These data records will serve as a benchmark to compare and improve climate models, that simulate future predictions of the marine carbon cycle, marine biodiversity and fish stocks. The data records will be used as input to study the impact of climate change on oceanic primary production, phytoplankton carbon and ocean biogeography.
In this project, my team will develop the first ocean-colour algorithm designed specifically for monitoring climate change, that separates signals from water constituents using a theoretical and ecological framework, that harnesses the principles of compound remote sensing (thermal and visible satellite remote sensing). It will be run on climate-quality ocean satellite data records, recently available through the European Space Agency, to produce a multi-decadal record of surface phytoplankton abundance. Furthermore, by mining vertical profiles of phytoplankton abundance from the past 30+ years of oceanographic sampling and emerging autonomous ocean robotics, my team will also produce a global, multi-decadal record of subsurface phytoplankton abundance. Bringing these data records together, we will quantify the effect of anthropogenic climate change on phytoplankton abundance, at least in parts of the ocean where the record is long-enough. These data records will serve as a benchmark to compare and improve climate models, that simulate future predictions of the marine carbon cycle, marine biodiversity and fish stocks. The data records will be used as input to study the impact of climate change on oceanic primary production, phytoplankton carbon and ocean biogeography.
Organisations
- University of Exeter (Fellow, Lead Research Organisation)
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Collaboration)
- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (Collaboration)
- University of North Carolina Wilmington (Collaboration)
- Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (Collaboration)
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (Collaboration)
- National Research Council (Collaboration)
- University of Rhode Island (Collaboration)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Collaboration)
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (Collaboration)
- Second Institute of Oceanography (Collaboration)
- University of Bremen (Collaboration)
- Xiamen University (Collaboration)
- Nova Southeastern University (Collaboration)
- Nansen Environmental Research Centre (India) (Collaboration)
- Universidade de São Paulo (Collaboration)
- California State University, San Marcos (Collaboration)
- CSIRO Ocean and Atmosphere (Collaboration)
- University of Lisbon (Collaboration)
- Hokkaido University (Collaboration)
- PLYMOUTH MARINE LABORATORY (Collaboration)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (Collaboration)
- East China Normal University (ECNU) (Collaboration)
- Cochin University of Science and Technology (Collaboration)
- University of California, San Diego (UCSD) (Collaboration)
- National Centre for Earth Observation (Collaboration)
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) (Collaboration)
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory (Project Partner)
- National Centre for Earth Observation (Project Partner)
Publications
Bracher A
(2022)
Advances in Phytoplankton Ecology
Bresnahan P
(2022)
A high-tech, low-cost, Internet of Things surfboard fin for coastal citizen science, outreach, and education
in Continental Shelf Research
Brewin R
(2023)
Evaluating historic and modern optical techniques for monitoring phytoplankton biomass in the Atlantic Ocean
in Frontiers in Marine Science
Brewin RJW
(2022)
A Conceptual Approach to Partitioning a Vertical Profile of Phytoplankton Biomass Into Contributions From Two Communities.
in Journal of geophysical research. Oceans
Brotas V
(2022)
Complementary Approaches to Assess Phytoplankton Groups and Size Classes on a Long Transect in the Atlantic Ocean
in Frontiers in Marine Science
Bruggeman J
(2022)
The paralarval stage as key to predicting squid catch: Hints from a process-based model
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Gokul E
(2023)
A singular value decomposition approach for detecting and delineating harmful algal blooms in the Red Sea
in Frontiers in Remote Sensing
Lin J
(2022)
Derivation of uncertainty budgets for continuous above-water radiometric measurements along an Atlantic Meridional Transect.
in Optics express
Maniaci G
(2022)
Concentration and distribution of phytoplankton nitrogen and carbon in the Northwest Atlantic and Indian Ocean: A simple model with applications in satellite remote sensing
in Frontiers in Marine Science
| Description | The most significant achievements of the award in year 1, and how we are taking these achievements forward as a research team in year 2, include: 1) The development and publication of a new algorithm that relates the surface chlorophyll concentration of three phytoplankton groups to total surface chlorophyll (index of phytoplankton biomass). This new algorithm is forming the basis of an optical model being developed in the 2nd year of the project by the team, that will improve satellite time-series data on surface phytoplankton biomass and allow us to understand better how it is responding to climate change. This algorithm was tuned using a compilation of data from all around the world, based on a new collaboration with multiple institutes, led using funding by this grant. 2) The development and publication of a new algorithm that the partitions a vertical profile of phytoplankton biomass into two communities, one at the surface (that the satellite can see) and one in the subsurface (below the depth of the satellite signal). This new algorithm will ultimately allow us to separate the impacts of climate change on the surface and sub-surface phytoplankton biomass and allow us to improve our understanding of how total water column phytoplankton biomass is responding to climate change. This is work we are now taking forward in the second year of the grant, by fitting the model to a long time-series of vertical phytoplankton profile data. 3) The UKRI FLF has given our team the flexibility to start a series of new international collaborations, needed to help address the ambitious goals of the project, and also resulted in a series of outputs (publications) and additional funding. Overall, the main objectives of the first year of the award have been met (as described above). However, by this point in time, we had planned to have successfully mined a database of vertical profiles of phytoplankton biomass, and we are behind in this work. We are behind because it took nine months longer than expected to hire the postdoctoral researcher working on the database. Still, since starting, we have made good progress, and the database is taking shape. |
| Exploitation Route | The algorithms that were developed in year 1 of the grant have the potential for use by operational satellite and oceanography services, to improve operational forecasts and hindcasts of ocean ecosystem indicators. This would be of use in marine management and policy, and for new applications and services. This may also foster market development and economic growth. The algorithms were published openly, and are also available to the research community for use in further scientific studies. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Environment |
| Description | 3D Phytoplankton Models |
| Amount | £1,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Exeter |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2022 |
| End | 06/2022 |
| Description | China Scholarship Council (CSC) PhD studentship: Investigating the influence of mesoscale eddy dipoles on phytoplankton biomass and primary production in the North Atlantic |
| Amount | £154,439 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Chinese Scholarship Council |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | China |
| Start | 10/2022 |
| End | 09/2026 |
| Description | NERC GW4 Phd Stduentship: Investigating the cross talk between pathogenic vibrio and phytoplankton and implications for human health under climate change |
| Amount | £115,829 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 4297 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2022 |
| End | 09/2025 |
| Description | PhD funded studentship: Investigating the role of low-oxygen adapted Prochlorococcus in ocean biogeochemical cycles |
| Amount | £70,381 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | PhD (Funded) ref: 4193 |
| Organisation | University of Exeter |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2021 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Description | PlanktoScope: Affordable plankton imaging device for low-cost research, training, citizen science and outreach (Part 1) |
| Amount | £700 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Exeter |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2023 |
| End | 06/2023 |
| Description | Poised for a new era in satellite ocean colour |
| Amount | £12,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | IEC\NSFC\211058 |
| Organisation | The Royal Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2022 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Description | Sustained Ocean Color Observations from Nanosatellites |
| Amount | $2,220,332 (USD) |
| Organisation | Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 08/2022 |
| End | 08/2025 |
| Title | An annual time-series of Chlorophyll-a and Sea Surface Temperature measurements collected between 2017 and 2018 by a surfer at Bovisand Beach, Plymouth, UK. |
| Description | This dataset consists of 67 Chlorophyll-a and Sea Surface Temperature (SST) measurements collected by a surfer at Bovisand Beach in Plymouth, UK, between September 2017 and September 2018. These data were collected as part of a research project supported by University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and in collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Nova Southeastern University. Chlorophyll-a concentrations were derived through collection of a water sample, subsequent filtration of the sample, extraction of pigment in solvent, and analysis using in-vitro fluorescence. SST data were primarily collected (65 measurements) using a Smartfin, though two samples were derived using a calibrated and protected UTBI-001 Tidbit V2 Temperature Data Logger attached to the leash of the surfboard. SST measurements represent the median temperature collected during the surfing session. Uncertainties in both SST and Chlorophyll-a are provided with the dataset. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Dataset used in research publication (see https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans3020011) |
| URL | https://www.bodc.ac.uk/data/published_data_library/catalogue/10.5285/d6a5a863-a43d-28a9-e053-6c86abc... |
| Title | Modern and traditional optical measurements, and environmental data, collected on four Atlantic Meridional Transect cruises between 2013 and 2018. |
| Description | This dataset contains concurrent and co-located measurements of Secchi depth, Forel-Ule colour, Chlorophyll-a concentration, hyperspectral remote-sensing reflectance, diffuse and beam attenuation, and other auxiliary data on environmental variables, collected on four Atlantic Meridional Transect (AMT) cruises (AMTs 23, 25, 26 and 28) at a total of 127 stations, between 2013 and 2018, in the Atlantic Ocean. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Publication that has been accepted using the dataset (see https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1111416/abstract doi:10.3389/fmars.2023.1111416) |
| URL | https://www.bodc.ac.uk/data/published_data_library/catalogue/10.5285/f3198e10-faf3-1525-e053-6c86abc... |
| Description | Biogeochemical model optimisation by using satellite-derived phytoplankton data and BGC-Argo observations |
| Organisation | Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| Department | South China Sea Institute of Oceanology |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Learned Society |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in satellite-derived section of phytoplankton functional type data |
| Collaborator Contribution | Offered expertise in ecosystem modelling and data assimilation. |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in a peer reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14051297). UKRI FLF offered me the time and flexibility to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Biogeochemical model optimisation by using satellite-derived phytoplankton data and BGC-Argo observations |
| Organisation | National Centre for Earth Observation |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in satellite-derived section of phytoplankton functional type data |
| Collaborator Contribution | Offered expertise in ecosystem modelling and data assimilation. |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in a peer reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14051297). UKRI FLF offered me the time and flexibility to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Biogeochemical model optimisation by using satellite-derived phytoplankton data and BGC-Argo observations |
| Organisation | Plymouth Marine Laboratory |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in satellite-derived section of phytoplankton functional type data |
| Collaborator Contribution | Offered expertise in ecosystem modelling and data assimilation. |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in a peer reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14051297). UKRI FLF offered me the time and flexibility to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Biogeochemical model optimisation by using satellite-derived phytoplankton data and BGC-Argo observations |
| Organisation | Second Institute of Oceanography |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in satellite-derived section of phytoplankton functional type data |
| Collaborator Contribution | Offered expertise in ecosystem modelling and data assimilation. |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in a peer reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14051297). UKRI FLF offered me the time and flexibility to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Biogeochemical model optimisation by using satellite-derived phytoplankton data and BGC-Argo observations |
| Organisation | University of Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in satellite-derived section of phytoplankton functional type data |
| Collaborator Contribution | Offered expertise in ecosystem modelling and data assimilation. |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in a peer reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14051297). UKRI FLF offered me the time and flexibility to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Biogeochemical model optimisation by using satellite-derived phytoplankton data and BGC-Argo observations |
| Organisation | Xiamen University |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in satellite-derived section of phytoplankton functional type data |
| Collaborator Contribution | Offered expertise in ecosystem modelling and data assimilation. |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in a peer reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14051297). UKRI FLF offered me the time and flexibility to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Collecting phytoplankton data in the nearshore using watersports |
| Organisation | Nova Southeastern University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in developing methods of collecting phytoplankton and environmental (e.g. sea surface temperature) data when surfing and validating satellite ocean colour data. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Laboratory analytical skills (PML); sensor development (UNCW); oceanographic understanding (Scripps, Nova); processing of very high high-resolution ocean colour data (RBINS) |
| Impact | Collaboration has resulted in several academic publications - https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans3020011 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2021.107650 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2022.104748 |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Collecting phytoplankton data in the nearshore using watersports |
| Organisation | Plymouth Marine Laboratory |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in developing methods of collecting phytoplankton and environmental (e.g. sea surface temperature) data when surfing and validating satellite ocean colour data. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Laboratory analytical skills (PML); sensor development (UNCW); oceanographic understanding (Scripps, Nova); processing of very high high-resolution ocean colour data (RBINS) |
| Impact | Collaboration has resulted in several academic publications - https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans3020011 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2021.107650 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2022.104748 |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Collecting phytoplankton data in the nearshore using watersports |
| Organisation | Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences |
| Country | Belgium |
| Sector | Learned Society |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in developing methods of collecting phytoplankton and environmental (e.g. sea surface temperature) data when surfing and validating satellite ocean colour data. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Laboratory analytical skills (PML); sensor development (UNCW); oceanographic understanding (Scripps, Nova); processing of very high high-resolution ocean colour data (RBINS) |
| Impact | Collaboration has resulted in several academic publications - https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans3020011 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2021.107650 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2022.104748 |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Collecting phytoplankton data in the nearshore using watersports |
| Organisation | University of California, San Diego (UCSD) |
| Department | Scripps Institution of Oceanography |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in developing methods of collecting phytoplankton and environmental (e.g. sea surface temperature) data when surfing and validating satellite ocean colour data. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Laboratory analytical skills (PML); sensor development (UNCW); oceanographic understanding (Scripps, Nova); processing of very high high-resolution ocean colour data (RBINS) |
| Impact | Collaboration has resulted in several academic publications - https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans3020011 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2021.107650 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2022.104748 |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Collecting phytoplankton data in the nearshore using watersports |
| Organisation | University of North Carolina Wilmington |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in developing methods of collecting phytoplankton and environmental (e.g. sea surface temperature) data when surfing and validating satellite ocean colour data. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Laboratory analytical skills (PML); sensor development (UNCW); oceanographic understanding (Scripps, Nova); processing of very high high-resolution ocean colour data (RBINS) |
| Impact | Collaboration has resulted in several academic publications - https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans3020011 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2021.107650 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2022.104748 |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Comparison of in situ methods for monitoring phytoplankton community structure |
| Organisation | Plymouth Marine Laboratory |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in use of conceptual phytoplankton models for interpreting in situ datasets. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in collection of in situ data on phytoplankton |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in academic publication (see https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.682621). UKRI FLF allowed me the time flexibility to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Comparison of in situ methods for monitoring phytoplankton community structure |
| Organisation | University of Lisbon |
| Country | Portugal |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in use of conceptual phytoplankton models for interpreting in situ datasets. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in collection of in situ data on phytoplankton |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in academic publication (see https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.682621). UKRI FLF allowed me the time flexibility to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Harmful algal bloom and coral reef bleaching detection in the Red Sea |
| Organisation | King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in the detection of phytoplankton community structure from satellite ocean colour. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in regional oceanography and harmful algal blooms |
| Impact | Cumulated in peer-reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3389/frsen.2023.944615). UKRI FLF offered freedom and flexibility to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Harmful algal bloom and coral reef bleaching detection in the Red Sea |
| Organisation | National and Kapodistrian University of Athens |
| Country | Greece |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in the detection of phytoplankton community structure from satellite ocean colour. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in regional oceanography and harmful algal blooms |
| Impact | Cumulated in peer-reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3389/frsen.2023.944615). UKRI FLF offered freedom and flexibility to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Novel validation of ocean colour nano satellites |
| Organisation | University of North Carolina Wilmington |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in use of low-cost technology for evaluating ocean colour satellites |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in sensor development and citizen science |
| Impact | Gordon and Betty Moore research grant funded |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Remote sensing of phytoplankton using hyperspectral satellite ocean colour |
| Organisation | East China Normal University (ECNU) |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Our research team brings expertise on remote sensing of phytoplankton using satellite ocean colour data in offshore, open ocean waters. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners research team (Prof. Fang Shen) brings expertise on remote sensing of phytoplankton using satellite ocean colour data in nearshore, and coastal waters. |
| Impact | Royal Society International Exchanges 2021 Cost Share (NSFC) grant funded (£12,000) Two publications in peer-review journals (see https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12047 and https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2022.113415) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite algorithms to estimate phytoplankton chlorophyll-a and total suspended matter in Vembanad Lake, India |
| Organisation | Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute |
| Country | India |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in satellite remote-sensing of phytoplankton and bio-optical modelling. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Satellite algorithm development, validation and implementation. High resolution satellite remote sensing of lake colour. |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in peer-reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14246404). UKRI FLF offered flexibility and freedom to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite algorithms to estimate phytoplankton chlorophyll-a and total suspended matter in Vembanad Lake, India |
| Organisation | Cochin University of Science and Technology |
| Country | India |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in satellite remote-sensing of phytoplankton and bio-optical modelling. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Satellite algorithm development, validation and implementation. High resolution satellite remote sensing of lake colour. |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in peer-reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14246404). UKRI FLF offered flexibility and freedom to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite algorithms to estimate phytoplankton chlorophyll-a and total suspended matter in Vembanad Lake, India |
| Organisation | Council of Scientific and Industrial Research |
| Country | India |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in satellite remote-sensing of phytoplankton and bio-optical modelling. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Satellite algorithm development, validation and implementation. High resolution satellite remote sensing of lake colour. |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in peer-reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14246404). UKRI FLF offered flexibility and freedom to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite algorithms to estimate phytoplankton chlorophyll-a and total suspended matter in Vembanad Lake, India |
| Organisation | Nansen Environmental Research Centre (India) |
| Country | India |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in satellite remote-sensing of phytoplankton and bio-optical modelling. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Satellite algorithm development, validation and implementation. High resolution satellite remote sensing of lake colour. |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in peer-reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14246404). UKRI FLF offered flexibility and freedom to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite algorithms to estimate phytoplankton chlorophyll-a and total suspended matter in Vembanad Lake, India |
| Organisation | National Centre for Earth Observation |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in satellite remote-sensing of phytoplankton and bio-optical modelling. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Satellite algorithm development, validation and implementation. High resolution satellite remote sensing of lake colour. |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in peer-reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14246404). UKRI FLF offered flexibility and freedom to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite algorithms to estimate phytoplankton chlorophyll-a and total suspended matter in Vembanad Lake, India |
| Organisation | Plymouth Marine Laboratory |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Offered expertise in satellite remote-sensing of phytoplankton and bio-optical modelling. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Satellite algorithm development, validation and implementation. High resolution satellite remote sensing of lake colour. |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in peer-reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14246404). UKRI FLF offered flexibility and freedom to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite remote sensing technology to detect phytoplankton community structure on large scales |
| Organisation | Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Impact | Book chapter on applications of satellite remote sensing technology to the analysis of phytoplankton community structure on large scales (see https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822861-6.00015-7) in Advances in Phytoplankton Ecology (see https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128228616/advances-in-phytoplankton-ecology) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite remote sensing technology to detect phytoplankton community structure on large scales |
| Organisation | CSIRO Ocean and Atmosphere |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Impact | Book chapter on applications of satellite remote sensing technology to the analysis of phytoplankton community structure on large scales (see https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822861-6.00015-7) in Advances in Phytoplankton Ecology (see https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128228616/advances-in-phytoplankton-ecology) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite remote sensing technology to detect phytoplankton community structure on large scales |
| Organisation | California State University, San Marcos |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Impact | Book chapter on applications of satellite remote sensing technology to the analysis of phytoplankton community structure on large scales (see https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822861-6.00015-7) in Advances in Phytoplankton Ecology (see https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128228616/advances-in-phytoplankton-ecology) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite remote sensing technology to detect phytoplankton community structure on large scales |
| Organisation | Hokkaido University |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Impact | Book chapter on applications of satellite remote sensing technology to the analysis of phytoplankton community structure on large scales (see https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822861-6.00015-7) in Advances in Phytoplankton Ecology (see https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128228616/advances-in-phytoplankton-ecology) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite remote sensing technology to detect phytoplankton community structure on large scales |
| Organisation | National Research Council |
| Department | Institute of Marine Sciences |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Impact | Book chapter on applications of satellite remote sensing technology to the analysis of phytoplankton community structure on large scales (see https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822861-6.00015-7) in Advances in Phytoplankton Ecology (see https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128228616/advances-in-phytoplankton-ecology) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite remote sensing technology to detect phytoplankton community structure on large scales |
| Organisation | Universidade de São Paulo |
| Department | Center for Marine Biology |
| Country | Brazil |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Impact | Book chapter on applications of satellite remote sensing technology to the analysis of phytoplankton community structure on large scales (see https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822861-6.00015-7) in Advances in Phytoplankton Ecology (see https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128228616/advances-in-phytoplankton-ecology) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite remote sensing technology to detect phytoplankton community structure on large scales |
| Organisation | University of Bremen |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Impact | Book chapter on applications of satellite remote sensing technology to the analysis of phytoplankton community structure on large scales (see https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822861-6.00015-7) in Advances in Phytoplankton Ecology (see https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128228616/advances-in-phytoplankton-ecology) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Satellite remote sensing technology to detect phytoplankton community structure on large scales |
| Organisation | University of Rhode Island |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton community structure |
| Impact | Book chapter on applications of satellite remote sensing technology to the analysis of phytoplankton community structure on large scales (see https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822861-6.00015-7) in Advances in Phytoplankton Ecology (see https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128228616/advances-in-phytoplankton-ecology) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Study on the mechanism and method of hyperspectral remote sensing differentiation of phytoplankton groups |
| Organisation | East China Normal University (ECNU) |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The contributions to the collaboration include offering expertise in satellite remote-sensing of phytoplankton. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The contributions from the partner include providing hyperspectral bio-optical properties of uni-algal cultures and hyperspectral satellite images. |
| Impact | Collaboration cumulated in peer-reviewed publication (see https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12047). UKRI FLF offered flexibility and freedom to collaborate. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Title | POC-PON-Tchl-Analysis |
| Description | This GitHub repository accompanies the manuscript of Maniaci et al. titled "Concentration and distribution of phytoplankton nitrogen and carbon in the Northwest Atlantic and Indian Ocean: A simple model with applications in satellite remote sensing". It is designed to illustrate how the in situ data were processed and how the model is fitted to the data. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Open Source License? | Yes |
| Impact | Software used in an academic publication (see https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1035399) |
| URL | https://github.com/rjbrewin/POC-PON-Tchl-Analysis |
| Title | Three-community-phyto-model |
| Description | Software includes a Jupyter notebook (Notebook_Three_com_model_WMO3901531.ipynb) designed to illustrate how the a three community phytoplankton model, is fitted to vertical profiles of chlorophyll-a and particle backscatter data. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Open Source License? | Yes |
| Impact | Used in an academic publication (currently under review in a journal). |
| URL | https://github.com/rjbrewin/Three-community-phyto-model |
| Title | Three-component model |
| Description | The code is used to illustrate and compare three-component models developed by Sun, Brewin et al. (2023), that quantifies the relationship between total Chl-a and Chl-a associated with the three PSCs (pico-, nano- and microplankton). |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Open Source License? | Yes |
| Impact | The code is used in a academic publication (see https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2022.113415). |
| URL | https://github.com/XuerongSun/Three-component-models |
| Title | Two-community-phyto-model |
| Description | Code to fit a two community phytoplankton model to a vertical profile of Chlorophyll-a concentration and particulate backscatter. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Open Source License? | Yes |
| Impact | Used in a academic publication (see https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JC018195) |
| URL | https://github.com/rjbrewin/Two-community-phyto-model |
| Description | All aboard the marine monitoring revolution |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was invited to write an article in The Marine Biologist Magazine, on our work looking at new ways to monitor the marine environment. The purpose of the article was to advertise our research to the general public and promote update of the idea. This sparked interest from the general public (e.g., in the form of emails) about how they can get involved. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.mba.ac.uk/the-marine-biologist-latest-issue/ |
| Description | EurekAlert: Surfer science supports seawater study |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | A press release on research findings was picked up by the international media. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/949054 |
| Description | European Scientist: Seawater study combines science and surfing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A press release on research findings was picked up by the international media. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.europeanscientist.com/en/environment/seawater-study-combines-science-and-surfing/ |
| Description | Exeter University Press Release |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A press release on research findings by the University of Exeter |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/homepage/title_907250_en.html |
| Description | Goonhilly Celebration Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Goonhilly Earth Station is a satellite communication centre located in Cornwall, UK. The centre celebrated its 60th anniversary on 23 July 2022. This family-friendly event included a range of activities and attractions for visitors, including live music, food and drink stalls, and a science and technology exhibition. At Goonhilly's 60th anniversary event, scientists from the University of Exeter shared their knowledge and expertise about space and the environment, giving people of all ages the chance to get hands-on with science and exploration, alongside some of the world's leading experts from the Penryn Campus. Dr Robert Brewin and Dr Xuerong Sun from the Centre for Geography and Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Exeter attended the event to demonstrate and display their marine science equipment, including the mini-Secchi disk and the Smartfins. The Secchi disk is a device used to measure water clarity that is 150 years old, but is still used today for satellite validation of water transparency products. The Smartfin is a surfboard fin with an integrated environmental sensor package, that has been used by surfers to collect oceanographic data, such as water temperature, to learn more about the effects of climate change and for satellite validation of sea surface temperature products. Both instruments are linked to university research in citizen science, remote sensing and biological oceanography. The demonstration of the mini-Secchi disk and the Smartfins was successful in attracting visitors of all ages and backgrounds, generating interest and increasing awareness and understanding ocean science and citizen science. This engagement has the potential to foster increased public support for action and policy changes related to environmental science. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://uoeinternalcomms.newsweaver.com/7gj2uiim03/1ma58e4vpkog3nd0plx0q9?lang=en&a=6&p=1629884&t=24... |
| Description | PHYS-ORG: Surfer science supports seawater study |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | A press release on research findings was picked up by the international media. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://phys.org/news/2022-04-surfer-science-seawater.html |
| Description | Science daily alert: Surfer science supports seawater study |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | A press release on research findings was picked up by the international media. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220407101006.htm |
| Description | Surfers can help sample phytoplankton near the shore |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A press release on research findings was picked up by the international media. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.earth.com/news/surfers-can-help-sample-phytoplankton-near-the-shore/ |