Analysis of correlations between meteorology, hydrodynamics and primary production in South and Tropical Atlantic, using numerical modeling and remote sensing

• Grant number: 09/06250-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2009
• End date: November 30, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Physical Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Joséph Harari
• Grantee: Nair Emmanuela da Silveira Pereira
• Host Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Knowledge of the oceans is limited due to its large size and consequent difficulty of obtaining data, but the technological advance allowed many variables to be estimated and interpreted based on information obtained by sensors on satellites or the use of numerical models. Variations in patterns of ocean currents and the physical and chemical properties produce as a consequence changes in the patterns of distribution of primary production in the oceans. The study of the relationship between primary production (with data from remote sensing) along with meteorological and oceanographic data (obtained from numerical simulations) allows better visualization of the relations of cause and effect for certain oceanographic phenomena. Then, the main objective of this project is to understand, for the region of South and Tropical Atlantic, these relationships and influences, identifying specific patterns of variability of some physical and biological parameters for each region and time of year. Thus, it is expected to identify and understand the relationships between these parameters, delimiting a few areas in the South and Tropical Atlantic with characteristics which result in similar biological responses to similar physical changes.