High-resolution observations of submarine groundwater discharge reveal the fine spatial and temporal scales of nutrient exposure on a coral reef: Faga'alu, AS
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- Data Release: USGS data release - Near-shore seawater-column measurements of excess radon (Rn-222) and water levels, Faga'alu Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa, August 2018
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Abstract
Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) can deliver substantial nutrient and contaminant loads to nearshore coral reefs. Correctly scaling SGD rates from a point source to a reef is generally a linear process involving simplified assumptions on the hydrogeology, bathymetry, and nearshore hydrodynamics that are essential to properly assess SGD scale and impact to individual coral heads. Here, we apply high-resolution SGD techniques to provide information at the scale of individual coral heads in Faga’alu Bay, American Samoa, where focused SGD delivers a plume of freshened and nutrient-rich water directly to the adjacent coral reef. Unoccupied Aerial System-based measurements were used to acquire remotely sensed, calibrated, high-resolution thermal infrared imagery that were coupled with traditional in-situ SGD observations. This approach permits a detailed assessment of SGD and associated nutrient loadings to individual coral heads as a function of time and enables a more realistic method to quantify SGD impact.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | High-resolution observations of submarine groundwater discharge reveal the fine spatial and temporal scales of nutrient exposure on a coral reef: Faga'alu, AS |
| Series title | Coral Reefs |
| DOI | 10.1007/s00338-022-02245-8 |
| Volume | 41 |
| Publication Date | April 08, 2022 |
| Year Published | 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Contributing office(s) | Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center |
| Description | 6 p. |
| First page | 849 |
| Last page | 854 |
| Country | American Samoa |
| Other Geospatial | Faga’alu Bay |