Remote Sensing on the Chesapeake Bay
Dave Grant - Ocean Institute, Sandy Hook, NJ 07732
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Horn Point is the site of the University of Maryland's marine research lab on Chesapeake Bay. Taking the Pulse of Our Ocean presented current research using remote sensing data and learning activities that educators have developed around it. |
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Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary along the coast. |
 It is a Ria-type estuary - the drowned river valley of the Susquehanna River |
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 Upon arrival we were greeted by the local herd of deer... |
 ...and the mysterious sheep at the gate. |
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 Key species include striped bass |
 ...and blue crabs, and oysters. |
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 The oyster restoration project here is designed to provide a reliable catch for fishermen and to reestablish a population of living water-filters to historic levels. |
  One hundred years ago, it is estimated that oysters filtered an entire volume of bay water in less than a week. |
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 ...that is related to population growth |
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 Sediment cores of healthy, oxygenated bay bottom show traces of iron oxide from bioturbation by benthic organisms. |
 Anaerobic "dead
zones" occur during the summer months and the dark oxygen
depleted sediments become toxic to marinelife. |
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 A simple model of an estuary demonstrates stratification. |
 ....and mixing of fresh and salt water. |
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