Future Directions in Bioluminescence Research

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ABSTRACT

Integrating Bioluminescence into Nowcast/Forecast Systems

W. Paul Bissett¹, Oscar M. Schofield², and Mark A. Moline³

1. Florida Environmental Research Institute, 4807 Bayshore Blvd. Suite 101, Tampa, FL 33611
2. Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratory, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
3. Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

Bioluminescence is the result of a biochemical light-producing process, which is a reflection of the community structure present. The impacts of bioluminescence on Naval operations are two fold. First, mechanically stimulated bioluminescence offers a means of detecting surface and subsurface movement during the night. Second, the same bioluminescence potential creates a detection hazard for Naval nighttime operations. The propagation of bioluminescence light through the water and across the air-sea interface is a function of the Inherent Optical Properties [IOPs] of the water column. The prediction of the water-leaving radiance derived from a bioluminescence event will require knowledge of the depth-dependent structure of the in-water IOPs, i.e., how clear is the water at the bioluminescence wavelengths. In addition, prediction of future bioluminescence potential will require forecasting the time dependent community structure, which determines both the IOPs and concentration of bioluminescent organisms.

The description of the three-dimensional structure of the water column properties based upon some limited suite of data is termed a nowcast. The prediction of these properties in the future is termed a forecast. Nowcast/forecast systems of coastal regions are being developed in a number of locations as part of joint agency research programs. The program described in this series of talks focuses on the Long-term Ecosystem Observatory in 15 meters of water off the coast of New Jersey [LEO-15]. The development of an ecological simulation at the LEO-15 site [EcoSim 2.0] that predicts the time dependent change in the vertical structure of IOPs could be expanded to predict bioluminescence organisms. The prediction of maximum bioluminescence potential coupled with the prediction of IOPs may offer a tool to characterize the battlespace environment over a 5- to 10-day time horizon.

While prediction is a long-term goal, current adaptive sampling techniques and nowcast/forecast methodologies may yield important information about impacts of the maximum bioluminescence potential on Naval operations over a 24- to 48- hour time horizon. In particular, coupling IOP nowcasts to AUV determination of maximum bioluminescence potential allows us to predict vertical detection horizons for subsurface operations. In addition, ocean color satellite data can be used to predict the horizontal gradients of water leaving radiance for a fixed depth event. These nowcast examples demonstrate the utility of coupled IOP and bioluminescence studies, and may provide justification for the development of predictive ecological simulations.

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