Abstract
Harmful algal bloom (HAB) species in the Chesapeake Bay can negatively impact fish, shellfish, and human health via the production of toxins and the degradation of water quality. Due to the deleterious effects of HAB species on economically and environmentally important resources, such as oyster reef systems, Bay area resource managers are seeking ways to monitor HABs and water quality at large spatial and fine temporal scales. The use of satellite ocean color imagery has proven to be a beneficial tool for resource management in other locations around the world where high-biomass, nearly monospecific HABs occur. However, remotely monitoring HABs in the Chesapeake Bay is complicated by the presence of multiple, often co-occurring, species and optically-complex waters. Here we present a summary of common marine and estuarine HAB species found in the Chesapeake Bay, Alexandrium monilatum, Karlodinium veneficum, Margalefidinium polykrikoides, and Prorocentrum minimum, that have been detected from space using multispectral data products from the Ocean and Land Color Imager (OLCI) sensor on the Sentinel-3 satellites and identified based on historic phytoplankton data, in situ sampling, and ecological associations. We review how future hyperspectral instruments will improve discrimination of potentially harmful species from other phytoplankton communities and present a framework in which satellite data products could aid Chesapeake Bay resource managers with monitoring water quality and protecting shellfish resources.
Highlights
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States
the methodology continues to improve with the implementation of new technology
Utilizing remote sensing to its maximum potential is of increased importance
Summary
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. The annual temperature cycle combined with numerous freshwater inputs and the tidal influx of high salinity ocean water makes it a suitable habitat for many juvenile and adult stages of important commercial and recreational fish and shellfish species and one of the country’s most productive estuaries. Virginia shellfish aquaculture, which produces the most eastern oysters on the United States East Coast, had a farm gate value of $53.3 million in 2018 and is first in the United States for production of hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) (Hudson, 2019). Maryland’s oyster industry was valued at $10.6 million between 2016 and 2017 (Tarnowski, 2017) and Maryland has modest soft shell (Mya arenaria), stout razor (Tagelus plebeius), and hard clam industries (Roegner and Mann, 1991; Glaspie et al, 2018). While the threat from disease remains (Powell et al, 2012; Tarnowski, 2017), over the past 15–20 years oyster populations have been stressed by reduced water quality and habitat loss (Kemp et al, 2005; Harding et al, 2019) and episodic harmful algal blooms (HABs) (Tango et al, 2005; Glibert et al, 2007; Mulholland et al, 2009; May et al, 2010; Griffith and Gobler, 2020)
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