Earth Observation Assets Documenting Changes in the Gulf of Mexico

In 2008, NASA presented new efforts to use remote sensing data to improve the Gulf of Mexico coastal environment. NASA is working with the Gulf Coast Alliance, a partnership of the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, using seven NASA and internationally controlled Earth-observing satellites with direct coastal coverage.

In 2008, NASA presented new efforts to use remote sensing data to improve the Gulf of Mexico coastal environment. NASA is working with the Gulf Coast Alliance, a partnership of the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, using seven NASA and internationally controlled Earth-observing satellites with direct coastal coverage.¹Gulf of Mexico Alliance, “Gulf of Mexico Alliance Partnerships” Gulf of Mexico Alliance, http://gulfofmexicoalliance.org/partnerships/welcome.html (accessed December 9, 2008). NASA is using these systems for a number of initial projects including an assessment of changes in land use and land cover in Alabama’s Mobile Bay Region from 1972 to the present. A second initial project involves development of a tool for data acquisition, display, and visualization of water quality for the Gulf in its entirety or for smaller regions. A third project involves developing an integrated approach to hypoxia assessment of the northern Gulf of Mexico. A number of other investigative projects are planned or underway. While 2008 was a building and planning year for this program, a three- to five-year strategic plan is in development.²Mark Glorioso, “NASA’s Contribution to the Gulf of Mexico Alliance,” (presentation at Gulf of Mexico Management Meeting July 9, 2008), http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/partner/pdf/mcm-july08-nasa.pdf (accessed December 9, 2008). In a separate effort, an organization called SkyTruth is using satellite imagery to identify natural oil oozing out from the seabed in the Gulf of Mexico. This oil eventually disintegrates causing carbon to enter the atmosphere.³Catherine Brahic, “Hunt for natural oil slicks gets a boost,” New Scientist, December 2008, http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16220-hunt-for-oil-slicksboosted-by-free-satellite-images.html (accessed January 5, 2009).

• 1
  Gulf of Mexico Alliance, “Gulf of Mexico Alliance Partnerships” Gulf of Mexico Alliance, http://gulfofmexicoalliance.org/partnerships/welcome.html (accessed December 9, 2008).
• 2
  Mark Glorioso, “NASA’s Contribution to the Gulf of Mexico Alliance,” (presentation at Gulf of Mexico Management Meeting July 9, 2008), http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/partner/pdf/mcm-july08-nasa.pdf (accessed December 9, 2008).
• 3
  Catherine Brahic, “Hunt for natural oil slicks gets a boost,” New Scientist, December 2008, http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16220-hunt-for-oil-slicksboosted-by-free-satellite-images.html (accessed January 5, 2009).