2022 Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum On-Demand Presentations
The Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean (MACO) issued a call for proposals for on-demand presentations for the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum, scheduled May 5 and 6, 2022. The presentations below were pre-recorded by researchers throughout the region and made available for viewing before, during, and after the event. Presentations were welcome on a variety of topics relevant to ocean science, policy, and socioeconomics in the Mid-Atlantic region. MACO thanks all who shared presentations.
Assessing Environmental Impacts of the Block Island Wind Farm
Submitted by: Wright J. Frank, Acting Policy Group Chief, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Office of Renewable Energy Programs
Abstract: The Realtime Opportunity for Development Environmental Observations (RODEO) study takes direct, real-time measurements of the nature, intensity, and duration of potential stressors during the construction and initial operations of selected offshore wind facilities. Data collected under RODEO will be used to help inform future decision-making on offshore wind. For more information, please see: https://www.boem.gov/rodeo.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) oversees the development of offshore renewable energy projects on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), which have the potential to make significant contributions to our nation’s energy portfolio. BOEM depends on science to meet our responsibilities under environmental laws, regulations, and standards. As such, we fund and manage scientific research to inform our decision-making processes for renewable energy projects on the OCS.
Modeling and Mapping Blue Carbon Storage in Delaware Coastal Marshes
Submitted by: Daniel Warner, Associate Scientist, Delaware Geological Survey
Abstract: Understanding the spatial patterns of organic carbon storage in coastal marsh ecosystems is key to assessing potential climate change feedbacks as these ecosystems experience shifting hydrologic regimes. Using a set of sediment core data from Blackbird and St. Jones marshes in Delaware, a team at the Delaware Geological Survey evaluated different statistical models for “upscaling” point observations of organic carbon content across the entire marsh platform. Models were compared based on their predictive performance and relative dependence on different input variables. We found that a simple multiple linear regression performed similarly to more complex machine learning approaches and was easy to interpret. We also found that all methods provided a greater predictive performance than a simple mean. We estimated that Blackbird and St. Jones marshes store roughly 70 and 79 gigagrams of organic carbon in the upper 30 cm of their marsh platform, with near-channel areas having the highest levels of carbon storage. We recommend future research focuses on deeper carbon storage in these coastal ecosystems and that care is taken to preserve these near-channel areas from erosion.
Promoting Coastal Resilience: BOEM Helps Restore and Protect America’s Coasts
Submitted by: Jeffrey Reidenauer, Marine Minerals Division Chief, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Abstract: Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sand and gravel resources are vital sources of material for the construction of coastal protection and restoration projects, including efforts to protect coastal communities, national defense facilities, and federal and state infrastructure. In recent years, there has been a growing demand for OCS sediment for planned projects, as well as for emergency needs to restore areas damaged by natural disasters. Further, given the significant number of other ocean users (e.g., energy infrastructure, fiber optic telecommunication cables, electrical transmission lines, and fisheries), BOEM strives to reduce or eliminate the potential for multiple use conflicts or environmental impacts that could result from marine minerals projects.
On a national scale, little is known about the character, quantity, and location of sediment resources on the OCS or the habitat this offers marine biological communities. To inform, support and enable multi-use ocean planning, coastal protection and restoration projects, it is crucial to know the location and extent of compatible sediment resources on the OCS. As a steward of offshore sediment resources, it is critical that we have our sand resources organized and that we allow easy access to this information. To meet these challenges, BOEM has launched the Marine Minerals Information System (MMIS) as part of the National Offshore Sand Inventory to help to reduce response time in disaster recovery and facilitate long-term planning to strengthen the resilience of coastal communities and infrastructure. Ensuring all parties have access to detailed offshore information is critical to responsible decision-making.
Quantifying the Waters of the Mid-Atlantic
Submitted by: Hugh Roarty, Research Project Manager, Rutgers University Center for Ocean Observing Leadership
Abstract
Objective: Remote sensing technologies provide users the ability to collect data across a large geographic area without the time and cost associated with manual observations. Sensor placement is critical in maximizing the effectiveness of an organization’s remote sensing strategy. While technical specifications among sensors are relatively easy to compare, the geographic coverage of a remote sensing network compared to an organization’s designated observation area is challenging to quantify. As part of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System (MARACOOS), Rutgers University studies ocean dynamics in the Mid Atlantic Bight (MAB). This complex coastal and estuarine environment from Massachusetts to North Carolina is constantly changing and its surface areas are difficult to measure. Accurately calculating the coverage a network provides, justifies future network investment and future sensor placement. This paper provides a reliable and authoritative method for calculating the total surface area of designated study areas within the United States.
Methods: To solve this problem, Rutgers University utilized the National Hydrography Dataset from the United States Geological Survey’s National Map. Researchers processed hydrography data in ArcGIS Pro selecting, merging, clipping, and dissolving water feature boundaries within the general confines of the IOOS designated MARACOOS observation area. Results: Rutgers developed detailed shapefiles for 11 coastal sub regions of the Mid Atlantic and an overall observation boundary for the MARACOOS network. Furthermore, Rutgers calculated the surface area of each sub region.
Conclusion: Rutgers now uses these surface areas in calculating the percent coverage of their maintained High Frequency radar network. Other students, researchers, and organizations can use these shapefiles to accurately define study areas, brief personnel on areas of operation, or evaluate asset distribution.
Update from the Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Work Group: Balloon Release Reduction CBSM Campaign in the Mid-Atlantic
Submitted by: Avalon Bristow, Program Manager, Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean
The Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris work group, with funding support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, has partnered with three aquariums in the region (New York, National, and Virginia) to develop and disseminate a campaign to reduce behavior of balloon releases. This presentation covers the background of this focus-area for the Marine Debris Work Group, as well as other updates and plans from the Work Group. Special thanks to Laura McKay from the Virginia CZM program for co-leading the Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Work Group alongside the U.S. EPA (a new representative from the EPA is forthcoming due to staffing changes), as well as all work group members. More information about the Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Work Group can be found on MARCO’s Ocean Planning website. For ideas about alternatives to balloon releases for celebrating, honoring, or remembering please visit www.preventballoonlitter.org.
Use Case Analysis for MARCO Portal, OceansMap, and ESRI Living Atlas
Submitted by: Christopher Shivock, Unit Administrator/Specialist, Rutgers University Department of Marine & Coastal Sciences