The Coastal Observation Program

Now in its fifth year, CIT is leading the Coastal Observation program that uses sensor technologies to monitor in real-time the influence of the Chesapeake Bay on nearby coastal ocean margin ecosystems. CIT is the program manager for this multi-year award, which has secured $6.7 million to date.

The outflows from the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays have nutrient levels and organic matter loads that heavily influence the surrounding coastal ocean ecosystems of the Delmarva region. The Coastal Observation program established a system that monitors this influence through the development, deployment and use of a variety of ocean observing tools.

A novel aspect of the program is a solar-powered Surface Autonomous Vehicle, called OASIS (Ocean Atmosphere Sensor Integration System).  In addition, NASA supports the development of a software control system for multiple platforms, the Adaptive Sensor Fleet, which uses OASIS as a test platform for such systems as the Mars Rovers.

The OASIS platforms are outfitted with weather and ocean environmental sensors that are used to remotely monitor the ocean. Communication is carried out using the Iridium global satellite communication system. Software is being tested for command and control of multiple OASIS platforms to support real-time dynamic mapping capabilities. 

In addition to these platforms, the coastal ocean observation effort is deploying a system of three high-frequency coastal radars (CODARs) to measure surface ocean currents out to 200 km from shore, two standard range CODARs at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, and a coastal bio-optical buoy to assist in calibrating NASA and NOAA satellites. Ship-based research cruises are conducted to collect measurements not obtainable using autonomous or remote methods.  Real-time CODAR data can be seen at: http://marine.rutgers.edu/cool/codar/real-time/raw_lr_macoora.html

The program is a public-private collaboration of CIT, NASA, NOAA, EG&G Services, Emergent Technologies, DLBA Robotics, SGT, Inc., Donald L. Blount & Assoc., Hampton University, ITS, Inc., Old Dominion University, Rutgers University, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Kutztown University, Millersville University, and the Virginia Marine Science Consortium. 

The long-term vision of the program is to leverage the technologies developed through this program into other areas, such as port security, search and rescue, more accurate monitoring of hurricane and tsunami activity, and the expansion of aquaculture opportunities.