A bio-optical model for integration into ecosystem models for the Ligurian Sea

A bio-optical model has been developed for the Ligurian Sea which encompasses both deep, oceanic Case 1 waters and shallow, coastal Case 2 waters. The model builds on earlier Case 1 models for the region and uses field data collected on the BP09 research cruise to establish new relationships for non-biogenic particles and CDOM. The bio-optical model reproduces in situ IOPs accurately and is used to parameterize radiative transfer simulations which demonstrate its utility for modeling underwater light levels and above surface remote sensing reflectance. Prediction of euphotic depth is found to be accurate to within ∼3.2 m (RMSE). Previously published light field models work well for deep oceanic parts of the Ligurian Sea that fit the Case 1 classification. However, they are found to significantly over-estimate euphotic depth in optically complex coastal waters where the influence of non-biogenic materials is strongest. For these coastal waters, the combination of the bio-optical model proposed here and full radiative transfer simulations provides significantly more accurate predictions of euphotic depth

Inferring inherent optical properties and water constituent profiles from apparent optical properties

The BP09 experiment conducted by the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation in the Ligurian Sea in March 2009 provided paired vertical profiles of nadir-viewing radiances Lu(z) and downward irradiances Ed(z) and inherent optical properties (IOPs, absorption, scattering and backscattering coefficients). An inversion algorithm was implemented to retrieve IOPs from apparent optical properties (AOPs, radiance reflectance RL, irradiance reflectance RE and diffuse attenuation coefficient Kd) derived from the radiometric measurements. Then another inversion algorithm was developed to infer vertical profiles of water constituent concentrations, including chlorophyll-a concentration, non-algal particle concentration, and colored dissolved organic matter from the retrieved IOPs based on a bio-optical model. The algorithm was tested on a synthetic dataset and found to give reliable results with an accuracy better than 1%. When the algorithm was applied to the BP09 dataset it was found that good retrievals of IOPs could be obtained for sufficiently deep waters, i.e. for Lu(z) and Ed(z) measurements conducted to depths of 50 m or more. This requirement needs to be satisfied in order to obtain a good estimation of the backscattering coefficient. For such radiometric measurements a correlation of 0.88, 0.96 and 0.93 was found between retrieved and measured absorption, scattering and backscattering coefficients, respectively. A comparison between water constituent values derived from the measured IOPs and in-situ measured values, yielded a correlation of 0.80, 0.78, and 0.73 for chlorophyll-a concentration, non-algal particle concentration, and absorption coefficient of colored dissolved organic matter at 443 nm, respectively. This comparison indicates that adjustments to the bio-optical model are needed in order to obtain a better match between inferred and measured water constituent values in the Ligurian Sea using the methodology developed in this paper

Phytoplankton composition from sPACE: Requirements, opportunities, and challenges

Ocean color satellites have provided a synoptic view of global phytoplankton for over 25 years through near surface measurements of the concentration of chlorophyll a. While remote sensing of ocean color has revolutionized our understanding of phytoplankton and their role in the oceanic and freshwater ecosystems, it is important to consider both total phytoplankton biomass and changes in phytoplankton community composition in order to fully understand the dynamics of the aquatic ecosystems. With the upcoming launch of NASA\u27s Plankton, Aerosol, Clouds, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission, we will be entering into a new era of global hyperspectral data, and with it, increased capabilities to monitor phytoplankton diversity from space. In this paper, we analyze the needs of the user community, review existing approaches for detecting phytoplankton community composition in situ and from space, and highlight the benefits that the PACE mission will bring. Using this three-pronged approach, we highlight the challenges and gaps to be addressed by the community going forward, while offering a vision of what global phytoplankton community composition will look like through the “eyes” of PACE

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

A bio-optical model for integration into ecosystem models for the Ligurian Sea

A bio-optical model has been developed for the Ligurian Sea which encompasses both deep, oceanic Case 1 waters and shallow, coastal Case 2 waters. The model builds on earlier Case 1 models for the region and uses field data collected on the BP09 research cruise to establish new relationships for non-biogenic particles and CDOM. The bio-optical model reproduces in situ IOPs accurately and is used to parameterize radiative transfer simulations which demonstrate its utility for modeling underwater light levels and above surface remote sensing reflectance. Prediction of euphotic depth is found to be accurate to within similar to 3.2 m (RMSE). Previously published light field models work well for deep oceanic parts of the Ligurian Sea that fit the Case 1 classification. However, they are found to significantly over-estimate euphotic depth in optically complex coastal waters where the influence of non-biogenic materials is strongest. For these coastal waters, the combination of the bio-optical model proposed here and full radiative transfer simulations provides significantly more accurate predictions of euphotic depth. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Impact of measurement uncertainties on determination of chlorophyll-specific absorption coefficient for marine phytoplankton

Understanding variability in the chlorophyll-specific absorption of marine phytoplankton, aph*Chl (λ), is essential for primary production modelling, calculation of underwater light field characteristics, and development of algorithms for remote sensing of chlorophyll concentrations. Previous field and laboratory studies have demonstrated significant apparent variability in aph*Chl (λ) for natural samples and algal cultures. However, the potential impact of measurement uncertainties on derived values of aph*Chl (λ) has received insufficient study. This study presents an analysis of measurement uncertainties for a data set collected in the Ligurian Sea in Spring and assesses the impact on estimates of aph*Chl (λ). It is found that a large proportion of apparent variability in this set of aph*Chl (λ) can be attributed to measurement errors. Application of the same analysis to the global NOMAD data set suggests that a significant fraction of variability in aph*Chl (λ) may also be due to measurement errors

Simulation of multimodal optical and acoustic communications in underwater networks

In this paper, we consider data muling over a network of fixed sensors by employing a mobile Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). We approach the problem using both acoustic and optical communications together in a multi-modal hybrid network: the most appropriate physical layer is chosen according to the quality of the transmissions that take place over time. We consider three distinct cases of water type: clear, coastal and turbid water, in order to test the system behavior under different conditions. The ambient light noise is realistically reproduced via the Hydrolight software and taken into account, due to its important contribution to the optical SNR in shallow waters. Finally, we simulate the performance of the system using the DESERT Underwater framework during missions of interest in different channel conditions and network depth. Our results show the effectiveness of a multi-modal underwater network in the cases of clear and coastal waters

Measurement-based simulation of underwater optical networks

The increasing interest in the application of optical communications to underwater communications and networks calls for reliable simulation models, that allow a system designer to realistically assess the performance of optical systems before actual deployment in water. In this paper, we present an optical channel model that is based on samples of the total attenuation coefficient and of the solar light irradiance taken during the NATO STO CMRE ALOMEX'15 scientific cruise, in different water conditions. The data set includes both strong and mild solar illumination conditions, as well as a number of different settings for the light absorption and scattering coefficients. We implement the model as part of the DESERT Underwater network simulator, and employ it to show that the throughput of underwater optical links depends not only on the distance between the transmitter and the receiver, but also on the depth at which the devices are deployed. The corresponding insight is empirically validated in dry tests and lake experiments using a proof-of-concept optical modem, and helped drive the next stage of the modem development