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Ocean mesoscale features: Upwelling and other phenomena

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Discovering the Ocean from Space

Part of the book series: Springer Praxis Books ((GEOPHYS))

Abstract

This is the third of the three chapters devoted to remote sensing of mesoscale oceandynamical phenomena and processes that are constrained mainly by geostrophy. It starts by showing how the phenomenon of upwelling lends itself to being explored from ocean-observing satellites. It then moves on to somewhat related ocean phenomena, such as those produced when wind blowing off the land is channeled by mountains, or those generated in the wake of isolated islands. The chapter also discusses the satellite signatures of large river plumes discharging into the ocean, and of processes in the marginal ice zone. It concludes with examples of experiments using remote sensing to observe processes that promote primary production in “high nutrient, low chlorophyll” regions of the ocean.

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  1. School of Ocean & Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton, UK

    Professor Ian S. Robinson

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  1. Professor Ian S. Robinson
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Robinson, I.S. (2010). Ocean mesoscale features: Upwelling and other phenomena. In: Discovering the Ocean from Space. Springer Praxis Books(). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68322-3_5

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