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Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing and Sea Surface Temperature of Marine and Coastal Waters Around Africa

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Remote Sensing of the African Seas

Abstract

Owing to satellite-derived Thermal Infrared (TIR) data, it is possible to derive large basin scale view of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) around the African continent over the last 2 or 3 decades. This may form the baseline against which future changes can be measured. Measurements of SST also serve as an entry point to characterize the water dynamics along the African coast and to understand where and when changes have taken place, such that possible short- to medium term scenarios can be developed and used as management tools for precautionary measures. Significant advances in TIR technology have been achieved to build the necessary confidence in satellite-based SST measurements for research, as well as for operational and commercial purposes. An effective dissemination of these EO value added products to African institutions and policy-makers is a key condition for long-term sustainability of coastal and marine resources. The chapter presents a variety of applications using TIR images and SST data that have contributed to develop the necessary knowledge and competences that are critical for the implementation of conservation and management strategies at continental, regional and national scales.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The link http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/SatelliteData/pathfinder4km provides access to Pathfinder through the present, adding observations by the NOAA-19 sensor.

  2. 2.

    Available at https://www.ghrsst.org.

  3. 3.

    See http://www.amesd.org for details.

  4. 4.

    See http://www.eamnet.eu for details.

  5. 5.

    Available at http://gmis.jrc.ec.europa.eu.

  6. 6.

    See http://odin.ioc-africa.org/index.php/african-large-marine-eco-systems for details.

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Acknowledgements

Most of the data and maps were extracted from the Global Marine Information System web site, maintained as part of the institutional activities of the Water Resources Unit of the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (European Commission, Joint Research Centre). We would like to thank the Ocean Biology Processing Group of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the distribution of MODIS SST products. Special thanks also directed to Vimal Ramchandur and the Mauritius Oceanographic Institute for providing regional maps of Potential Fishing Zones and comments on associated marine operational service.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Ispra, Italy

    Nicolas Hoepffner, Leo Nykjaer & Pascal Derycke

  2. European Maritime Safety Agency, Lisbon, Portugal

    Samuel Djavidnia

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  1. Nicolas Hoepffner
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  2. Samuel Djavidnia
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  3. Leo Nykjaer
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  4. Pascal Derycke
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Correspondence to Nicolas Hoepffner .

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  1. TP272, Joint Research Centre European Commission, Ispra, Italy

    Vittorio Barale

  2. Institut für Meereskunde, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Martin Gade

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Hoepffner, N., Djavidnia, S., Nykjaer, L., Derycke, P. (2014). Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing and Sea Surface Temperature of Marine and Coastal Waters Around Africa. In: Barale, V., Gade, M. (eds) Remote Sensing of the African Seas. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8008-7_3

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