Douglas Francisco Marcolino Gherardi

Ship Detection Using TerraSAR-X Images in the Campos Basin (Brazil)

The very large extent of the Brazilian coast (~8000 km) and the growing maritime vessel traffic demand that research be made on ancillary methods to monitor and control ships traffic in national waters. An important tool for this purpose is the use of orbital synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, particularly due to its ability to work day and night and to suffer almost no interference of cloud coverage. In this letter, we investigate some ship detection concepts, as applied to TerraSAR-X (TSX) ScanSAR images (16-m resolution), in VV and HH polarization. Ocean clutter statistical parameters are estimated, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test is used to verify the goodness of fit for the K-distribution to TSX images. A constant false alarm rate (CFAR) target detection algorithm is developed, and its performance is verified. Incidence angle, CFARs window size, and probability of false alarm influence are further analyzed.

Spatial analysis of egg distribution and geographic changes in the spawning habitat of the Brazilian sardine Sardinella brasiliensis.

This paper establishes the spawning habitat of the Brazilian sardine Sardinella brasiliensis and investigates the spatial variability of egg density and its relation with oceanographic conditions in the shelf of the south-east Brazil Bight (SBB). The spawning habitats of S. brasiliensis have been defined in terms of spatial models of egg density, temperature-salinity plots, quotient (Q) analysis and remote sensing data. Quotient curves (Q(C)) were constructed using the geographic distribution of egg density, temperature and salinity from samples collected during nine survey cruises between 1976 and 1993. The interannual sea surface temperature (SST) variability was determined using principal component analysis on the SST anomalies (SSTA) estimated from remote sensing data over the period between 1985 and 2007. The spatial pattern of egg occurrences in the SBB indicated that the largest concentration occurred between Paranaguá and São Sebastião. Spawning habitat expanded and contracted during the years, fluctuating around Paranaguá. In January 1978 and January 1993, eggs were found nearly everywhere along the inner shelf of the SBB, while in January 1988 and 1991 spawning had contracted to their southernmost position. The SSTA maps for the spawning periods showed that in the case of habitat expansion (1993 only) anomalies over the SBB were zero or slightly negative, whereas for the contraction period anomalies were all positive. Sardinella brasiliensis is capable of exploring suitable spawning sites provided by the entrainment of the colder and less-saline South Atlantic Central Water onto the shelf by means of both coastal wind-driven (to the north-east of the SBB) and meander-induced (to the south-west of the SBB) upwelling.

Connectivity of Marine Protected Areas and Its Relation with Total Kinetic Energy

The East Continental Shelf (ECS) of Brazil is a hotspot of endemism and biodiversity of reef biota in the South Atlantic, hosting a number of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Connectivity of MPAs through larval dispersal influences recruitment, population dynamics, genetic structure and biogeography in coral reef ecosystems. Connectivity of protected reef ecosystem in the ECS was investigated with a hydrodynamic model (ROMS) forcing an Individual Based Model (IBM—Ichthyop), and used groupers (genus Mycteroperca) as functional group. The hydrodynamic output from ROMS was compared with satellite data and showed good agreement with observed surface fields. Eggs were released, in IBM experiments, from April to September along six years (2002–2007) in five MPAs along the ECS. Intrannual variability in recruitment and self-recruitment of grouper larvae was observed, as well as a negative correlation of these population parameters with total Kinetic Energy (KE) used as a metric of the physical environment. Higher KE leads to increased offshore advection of larvae, reduced total recruitment and connectivity of MPAs. Our results indicate high and uni-directional connectivity between MPAs from north to south influenced by the Brazil Current flowing in the same direction. Results also showed that some MPAs act predominantly as “sink” while others are mainly “source” areas.

Characterization of coral bleaching environments and their variation along the Bahia state coast, Brazil

The relation between climate variability and coral bleaching in the Bahia reefs was investigated in an attempt to characterize the bleaching environments. The following 13-year time series were derived from the remote-sensing, analysis and reanalysis data: maximum summertime sea surface temperature (SST), maximum sea surface temperature (MaxSST) accumulated in 5 days (SSTAc5day), diffuse attenuation coefficient for downward irradiance at 490 nm (K 490), rainfall and magnitude of surface wind fields, including the zonal (U) and meridional components. Principal component analysis, non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) and cluster and similarity analyses indicate the complex nature of the bleaching patterns and the influence of the strong 1997–1998 El Niño. A significant (global R-value = 0.65; p < 0.01) compounding effect of the reef location and bleaching intensity on the differentiation of bleaching environments was detected. A combination of high SSTAc5day and low K 490 may cause coral bleaching in the northernmost reefs. Evidence clearly points to a scenario where the influence of reef location, bleaching year and intensity may produce a compounded effect that determines the bleaching environments in Bahia.

The relationship between multi-sensor satellite data and Bayesian estimates for skipjack tuna catches in the South Brazil Bight

In this study we tested a Bayesian model based on a conjugate gamma/Poisson pair associated with environmental variables derived from satellite data such as sea surface temperature (SST) and its derived gradient fields from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)/Terra, chlorophyll-a concentration from Sea Viewing Wide field of View Sensor (SEAWiFS)/SeaStar and surface winds and Ekman pumping from SeaWinds/Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) to predict weekly catch estimates of the skipjack tuna in the South Brazil Bight. This was achieved by confronting the fishery data with model estimates and regressing the results on the satellite data. The fishery data were expressed by an index of catch per unit effort (CPUE) calculated as the weight of fish caught (in tonnes) by fishing week, and were divided into two series, called historical series (1996–1998; 2001), and validation year (2002). The output of model CPUE estimates is in good agreement with the historical weekly CPUE and generated updated weekly estimates that explained up to 62% of weekly CPUE from 2002. In general, the best proxy for the Bayesian weekly estimates is the gradient zonal SST field. The results refined previous knowledge of the influence of SST on the occurrence of skipjack tuna.

Application of remote sensing to the study of the pelagic spiny lobster larval transport in the Tropical Atlantic

The connectivity of marine populations via larval dispersal is crucial for the maintenance of fisheries production and biodiversity. Because larval dispersion takes place on different spatial scales, global operational satellite data can be successfully used to investigate the connectivity of marine populations on different spatial and temporal scales. In fact, satellite data have long been used for the study of the large and mesoscale biological processes associated with ocean dynamics. This paper presents simulations of spiny lobster larvae transport in the Tropical Atlantic using the geostrophic currents, generated by altimetry that feeds an advection/diffusion model. Simulations were conducted over the Tropical Atlantic (20oN to 15oS), considering four larvae release areas: the Cape Verde Archipelago, the Ivory Coast, Ascension Island and Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. We used mean geostrophic current (MGC) calculated from 2001 to 2005 to represent the mean circulation of the Tropical Atlantic. We also ran the model for the El Nino geostrophic current regime (ENGC) using part of the MGC data, representing the El Nino 2002/2003 event. Results suggest that the intensification of the mesoscale ocean processes associated with El Nino events promotes the connectivity between populations, increasing the chances of a genetic flux among different stocks. We concluded that the altimetry geostrophic current data together with a relatively simple advection/diffusion model can provide useful information about the physical dynamics necessary to conduct studies on larval dispersion.

Do the Brazilian sardine commercial landings respond to local ocean circulation

It has been reported that sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies, flow intensity and mesoscale ocean processes, all affect sardine production, both in eastern and western boundary current systems. Here we tested the hypothesis whether extreme high and low commercial landings of the Brazilian sardine fisheries in the South Brazil Bight (SBB) are sensitive to different oceanic conditions. An ocean model (ROMS) and an individual based model (Ichthyop) were used to assess the relationship between oceanic conditions during the spawning season and commercial landings of the Brazilian sardine one year later. Model output was compared with remote sensing and analysis data showing good consistency. Simulations indicate that mortality of eggs and larvae by low temperature prior to maximum and minimum landings are significantly higher than mortality caused by offshore advection. However, when periods of maximum and minimum sardine landings are compared with respect to these causes of mortality no significant differences were detected. Results indicate that mortality caused by prevailing oceanic conditions at early life stages alone can not be invoked to explain the observed extreme commercial landings of the Brazilian sardine. Likely influencing factors include starvation and predation interacting with the strategy of spawning “at the right place and at the right time”.

Spatio-Temporal Variability of the Eddy Kinetic Energy in the South Atlantic Ocean

The spatio-temporal variability of the eddy kinetic energy (EKE) in the South Atlantic Ocean (SAO) is investigated using 19 years of satellite altimetry observations. The EKE in this region presents different significant frequency modes. The interannual to intrannual cycles dominate the EKE variability spectrum. Spatial patterns of the EKE variance were also determined and associated with the propagation of the Agulhas Current eddies across the SAO. At the annual frequency, EKE anomalies are generated in the Agulhas leakage (AL) region and propagate westward. The interannual signal was associated with the Antarctic oscillation and displays a stationary spatial oscillation pattern in the Agulhas eddy corridor (AEC). This is the first time that a full spectral analysis of the EKE variability in the SAO is produced. Results show that the AEC is an important feature in the SAO, with low (high) frequencies associated to the west (east) part of the basin. The AL is a significant source of mesoscale variability to the South Atlantic subtropical gyre.