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NOAA Strategic Goal: Crosscutting

CIMAS is a cooperative institute between NOAA and the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. Research conducted is in six themes - Climate Variability, Fisheries Dynamics, Regional Coastal Ecosystem Processes, Human Interactions and the Coastal Environment, Air-Sea Interactions and Exchanges, and Integrated Ocean Observations, and supports the mission of the NOAA Research Laboratories and the National Marine Fisheries Service. For additional information on CIMAS, please visit http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/groups/cimas/.

NOAA’s Environmental Cooperative Science Center (ECSC) is led by Florida A&M University in collaboration with Delaware State University, Jackson State University, Morgan State University, South Carolina State University, and the University of Miami. This Center is one of four cooperative science centers that are part of NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions. ECSC goals include: increase the number of underrepresented minorities in atmospheric, environmental, and oceanic sciences by training students and expanding the capacity of faculty from member institutions to participate in NOAA related research; improve the scientific basis for coastal resource management; and facilitate community education and outreach relating to the function and significance of coastal ecosystems. For more information, visit: http://www.famu.edu/acad/colleges/esi/

NOAA Strategic Goal: Climate Variability and Change

One of NOAA’s Atmospheric Integrated Research Monitoring Network (AIRMoN) sites is located in Hillsborough County, FL. AIRMoN provides a research-based foundation for the routine operations of the nation’s deposition monitoring networks. Major ion data (sulfate, nitrate, pH, ammonium, sodium, chloride, and soil cations) are routinely in demand by scientists addressing process oriented studies concerned with the study of atmospheric fate and transport of various chemicals as well as numerous ecosystem issues. Other process studies of more limited duration address issues related to the maintenance of air quality, and the interaction of air pollution with the terrestrial, aquatic, and biospheric environments. Both monitoring and shorter term projects are relevant to climate, which is one driver of long-term variability and change in environmental quality. For more information and data access, please see http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/AIRMoN.

To carry out NOAA’s mission to provide climate forecasts and products, the Climate Program Office supports research projects across the nation conducted by investigators outside the federal government, within the federal government, and in NOAA Cooperative Institutes. This research is accomplished through the strong support of the academic and private sectors, as well as NOAA and other federal laboratories. The research contributes to improved predictions and assessments of the effects of climate variability over a range of time scales from season to season, year to year, and over the course of a decade and beyond. Grants Recipients: Florida State University, University of Florida, University of South Florida

The Earth System Research Laboratory operates nine stations as part of its integrated surface irradiance study (ISIS). The stations perform long-term, accurate measurements of the down welling broadband solar and ultraviolet-B radiation. Solar radiation is the driving energy for geophysical and biological processes that control weather and affect planetary life. One of these stations is located near Tallahassee, Florida. Information about these stations can be found at http://www.srrb.noaa.gov

NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) contributes to a consensus seasonal forecast and other products for the fire season for Florida and other states in the U.S. This new climate decision-support tool provides information for a seasonal fire danger outlook, used by the National Interagency Coordination Center for fires to make proactive short- and long-range decisions for strategy development and resource allocation, and to improve efficiency and firefighter safety.

NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory makes measurements of the column amounts of ozone between the earth's surface and the top of the atmosphere at a number of locations around the United States, including Tallahassee, FL. The observations are obtained with ground-based spectrometers that measure the attenuation by ozone of ultraviolet light. This integrated ozone amount is critical in determining the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth's surface. Excess ultraviolet radiation is responsible for human skin cancer and is also harmful to other biogenic organisms. Column ozone measurements monitor changes in the stratospheric ozone layer resulting from human-produced chlorine and bromine compounds that destroy ozone. With controls now in place on the manufacture and use of these ozone destroying compounds, it will be important to monitor the ozone layer for the expected recovery and determine whether other factors such as long-term climate change are influencing this recovery.

NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory is conducting research in collaboration with the University of South Florida to reconstruct the past climate variability and change in the northern tropical Atlantic from massive coral records in the northern Caribbean. This effort represents an attempt to expand the view of the full range of natural variability beyond the instrumental record using paleoenvironmental proxy records from corals.

NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) operates a Cooperative Global Air Sampling Network to measure the distribution and trends of carbon dioxide and methane, the two gases most responsible for human-caused climate change. Samples are collected weekly at 45 fixed locations and on several commercial ships. The air samples are delivered to ESRL, located in Boulder, CO. The observed geographical patterns and small but persistent spatial gradients are used to better understand the processes, both natural and human induced, that underlie the trends. Air samples have been collected at Key Biscayne since 1972. The samples are collected by researchers at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. Depending on the wind direction, samples collected at Key Biscayne may represent air that has been influenced by carbon sources and sinks in North America, or air that has been over the Atlantic Ocean. These measurements help determine the magnitude of carbon sources and sinks in North America.

NOAA Strategic Goal: Weather and Air Quality

The Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory's Hurricane Research Division (HRD), located in Miami, FL, conducts research to advance the understanding and prediction of hurricanes and other tropical weather. HRD’s research is based on a combination of models, theories, and observations, with particular emphasis on data obtained with research aircraft. These observations are primarily collected in our annual field program using the two NOAA turboprop aircraft and jet operated by the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center. The goals of this research are to: advance the prediction of tropical cyclone intensity change, improve the prediction of tropical cyclone tracks, improve the understanding of and ability to predict tropical cyclone frequency and intensity, and enhance the ability to diagnose and predict the impact of tropical cyclones on life and property. For more information please visit http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/index.html.

Computer systems developed by the NOAA Research Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) are in operation at all NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) field offices, six of which are located in Florida. ESRL has been the prime developer of the data ingest and display components of the NWS weather display and text generation system known as AWIPS (Advanced Weather Information Processing System). This system integrates meteorological, hydrological, satellite, and radar data. ESRL also developed the Interactive Forecast Preparation System Graphical Forecast Editor, a system that allows forecasters to display and manipulate forecast depictions of sensible weather (temperature, wind, precipitation, etc.), and use these to generate text and graphical forecasts for the public and other customers. NWS field offices are using this system to produce gridded forecast products, which allows forecasters to convey more information to the customers than they did in the past.

NOAA's Environmental Technology Laboratory is using its scanning Ka-band Doppler radar to observe clouds before shuttle launches at Kennedy Space Center to better define the altitudes, thicknesses, and structures of cloud layers in the launch vicinity. This new way of looking at clouds will help assess whether NASA's current launch window restrictions on cloud conditions have been applied properly or too conservatively. Ultimately, current technologies for observing regional clouds for launch decisions may be replaced with technology similar to NOAA's, particularly if the radar's polarization data also prove useful in assessing the electrification of clouds (potential for lightning).

The Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) has been involved in extensive collaboration with the National Weather Service National Hurricane Center, located in Miami. GFDL has supplied the hurricane forecasting center with a state-of-the-art hurricane prediction model which has proven to be very successful in forecasting both storm track and intensity.

The United States Weather Research Program (USWRP) brings together Federal agencies with the academic and private sectors to move research ideas and technologies into operational weather forecasts. As part of the Joint Hurricane Testbed project, the USWRP provides grant funding to the Science Applications International Corporation (Mclean, Virginia), the Naval Research Laboratory (Monterey, California), University of Rhode Island (Kingston, Rhode Island), University of Miami (Miami, Florida), the National Center for Atmospheric Research (Boulder, Colorado), Colorado State University (Boulder, Colorado), and the University of Western Ontario (Canada). The Joint Hurricane Testbed Project is working to upgrade the hurricane numerical model prediction system and improve hurricane analysis and prediction.

NOAA Strategic Goal: Ecosystems

The Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), one of the NOAA Research facilities, conducts research in oceanography, tropical meteorology, atmospheric and oceanic chemistry, and acoustics. AOML scientists study the relationships between ocean and atmosphere by conducting research in both near shore and open ocean environments. Here are a few examples. The lab conducts research relevant to annual-to decadal climate change. AOML operates a GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System) Center that collects upper ocean data from a wide variety of platforms, performs quality control, and transmits the data to operational forecast centers and research scientists. AOML's hurricane research improves the understanding and prediction of hurricane motion, intensity change, and the impacts from wind, waves, surge, and rain. AOML is involved in the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration, providing timely evaluation of the effects of different upstream management alternatives upon the Florida Bay and adjacent coastal marine ecosystems. As part of the Coral Reef Watch effort, AOML has installed Coral Reef Early Warning Systems networks in the Caribbean and maintains "expert system" software to screen raw data, synthesize information products for transmittal via the Web and email, and analyze data in near real-time to determine if environmental conditions are conducive to specific biological events, such as coral bleaching. For additional information, please visit http://www.aoml.noaa.gov.

NOAA’s South Florida Bay Ecosystem Restoration Prediction and Modeling Program, led by the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), seeks to provide requisite understanding of Florida Bay and the adjacent coastal ecosystems to which it is connected to support South Florida Ecosystem Restoration and Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan decision-making. These programs aim to rectify the ecological damage done to South Florida and the Everglades because of water diversion projects carried out over the past 100 years. Within the Interagency Florida Bay Science Program, AOML scientists conduct and support a variety of research and modeling projects that complement those of our agency partners. Drawing upon NOAA's unique institutional strengths and emphasizing its jurisdictional mandates, including the dissemination of data and model output realizations, AOML is working toward the timely prediction of environmental consequences of alternative restoration projects for the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration management community. For more information please visit http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/sfp/.

The Coral Reef Watch program is a collaborative effort between NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) and NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS). Remote monitoring stations in the Florida Keys, Bahamas, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands continually observe meteorological and oceanographic parameters. These data are transmitted to AOML where they are processed by artificial intelligence-based software and compared with NESDIS-supplied satellite data. The integrated data are used to predict, monitor, and model incidences of coral bleaching and other coral-related biological events. AOML is also involved in FL Keys environmental monitoring. Since 1992, a network of 7 monitoring stations in the Florida Keys and Florida Bay, called C-Man stations, has been established through a cooperative effort between AOML and the Florida Institute for Oceanography. These stations monitor and report meteorological and oceanographic parameters from their locations. The data is quality controlled and maintained for distribution at AOML and is used by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and research scientists to monitor and study coral-reef-related issues such as coral bleaching. Local mariners and recreational fishermen have also found the data to be useful in planning their excursions. For more information, please visit http://www.coral.noaa.gov/crews/index.shtml or http://www.coral.noaa.gov/seakeys/index.shtml

NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory conducts studies on anthropogenic waste disposal along the Florida coast, including areas in proximity to coral reefs. Disposed sewage effluents and dredged materials are tracked from the time of disposal through long-term transport and deposition for their potential environmental impacts. Excessive sedimentation on coral reefs can have adverse effects ranging from growth impairment to mortality. Recent efforts have focused upon the development of molecular genetic based sensor systems capable of deployment upon buoys and remote platforms to detect sewage contamination and harmful algal blooms. For more information, please visit http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/oad/poster/ and http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/project/ocdkdg_sensor.html.

A Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) scientist is pursuing collaborative work with the Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms research program, a program led by NOAA and run cooperatively with the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies. The collaborative work that GLERL is involved in examines the factors contributing to red tide blooms in the Gulf of Mexico.

NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program is a federal-university partnership that integrates research, education, and outreach (extension and communications). Sea Grant forms a network of 32 programs in all U.S. coastal and Great Lakes states, Puerto Rico and Guam. The Florida Sea Grant College Program, based at the University of Florida, focuses research on marine biotechnology, fisheries, aquaculture, seafood safety, coastal ecosystem health, water quality, boating and waterways, coastal habitat, and coastal hazards. In conjunction with its research, Florida Sea Grant also provides support to graduate education. Citizens, industry and policy makers are kept informed on a variety of marine and coastal issues, ranging from safe navigation to seafood quality and safety, through a cadre of more than 20 marine extension agents and specialists serving the 35 coastal counties of Florida. For more information see http://www.flseagrant.org.

NOAA's Undersea Research Program (NURP) is a unique national service that provides undersea scientists with tools and expertise that they need to work in the undersea environment, from the shoreline to the deep sea. Each year, the program supports 200 or more undersea research projects related to NOAA's mission as steward of oceanic resources and environments, including research to support NOAA's management responsibilities in fisheries (stock assessment validation, understanding essential fish habitat), corals, and other coastal resources. NURP is comprised of a network of six regional centers and a national technology institute. NOAA's Undersea Research Center for the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico (SEGM), one of the six NURP regional centers, is based at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. The SEGM Center focuses on undersea research off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida and in the Florida Keys and Gulf of Mexico. The Center operates the world’s only undersea research laboratory, Aquarius, located 8 miles off the coast of Florida and capable of housing scientists for 10 day missions. Center facilities are located in Wilmington, NC, and Key Largo, FL, near the site of Aquarius. Areas of research include hydrocarbon exploration and development; management of fisheries resources; conservation of the Florida Keys' coral reefs; anthropogenic and natural processes that impact coastal resources, including beach erosion and the introduction of excess nutrients to near shore habitats; and detection of current global climate conditions through long-term monitoring and assessment of past changes. The center’s research goals evolve to meet changing national and regional needs. For more information see http://www.nurp.noaa.gov/southatl.html.

NOAA's Undersea Research Program (NURP) is a unique national service that provides undersea scientists with tools and expertise that they need to work in the undersea environment, from the shoreline to the deep sea. Each year, the program supports 200 or more undersea research projects related to NOAA's mission as steward of oceanic resources and environments, including research to support NOAA's management responsibilities in fisheries (stock assessment validation, understanding essential fish habitat), corals, and other coastal resources. NURP is comprised of a network of six regional centers and a national technology institute. NOAA's Undersea Research Center for the Caribbean (CMRC), one of the six NURP regional centers, supports undersea research in the Caribbean. The CMRC is based in Jupiter, Florida, and its primary research facility, located on Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas, offers wet and dry laboratories, room and board, marine operations, field support, and advanced diving facilities. Given the regional dependence on fisheries, much research is focused on ecologically and economically important species such as the queen conch, spiny lobster, snapper, and Nassau grouper. Similarly, coral reefs are vital to this region and ecological studies are focused on species recruitment, reproduction, and biodiversity. In supporting research on fisheries and coral reef ecosystems, researchers are focusing efforts to determine the effectiveness and design of Marine Protected Areas, especially no-take marine reserves. To understand climate change and its effects on coral reef ecosystems, CMRC maintains a comprehensive environmental monitoring program including a network of temperature-recording stations in several areas of the Caribbean. For more information see http://www.nurp.noaa.gov/carib.html.

NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration (OE) supports activities that search and investigate the oceans for the purpose of discovery. OE missions fit into four areas: (1) mapping the physical, biological, chemical and archeological aspects of the ocean; (2) understanding ocean dynamics at new levels to describe the complex interactions of the living ocean; (3) developing new sensors and systems for ocean exploration, and; (4) reaching out to the public to communicate the benefits to current of future generations of unlocking the secrets of the ocean. In 2005-2006, OE is providing funding to the University of Miami, the Mote Marine Laboratory, and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. for ocean exploration missions. These projects will use submersibles for ocean mapping and exploration activities. In addition, in 2005, OE provided funding to the University of Alabama for a project to explore and characterize a West Florida slope deep coral site in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration (OE) supports activities that search and investigate the oceans for the purpose of discovery. OE missions fit into four areas: (1) mapping the physical, biological, chemical and archeological aspects of the ocean; (2) understanding ocean dynamics at new levels to describe the complex interactions of the living ocean; (3) developing new sensors and systems for ocean exploration, and; (4) reaching out to the public to communicate the benefits to current of future generations of unlocking the secrets of the ocean. In 2005-2006, OE is providing funding to the University of Miami, the Mote Marine Laboratory, and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. for ocean exploration missions. These projects will use submersibles for ocean mapping and exploration activities. In addition, in 2005, OE provided funding to the University of Alabama for a project to explore and characterize a West Florida slope deep coral site in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

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Updated June 8, 2006