Students Research Presentations: Marine heatwaves in the Chesapeake Bay detected from buoy data

Year:

2022

Source:

Ocean Sciences Meeting, Virtual

Abstract:

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are extreme ocean temperatures lasting for an extended period of time. MHWs are found to negatively impact the survival and adaptation of many aquatic species and ecosystems. Previous studies on MHWs mostly focused on the open ocean, and they were found to be increasing in intensity, frequency, and duration over time as a result of climate change. However, whether MHWs occur in estuaries and what characteristics they have are largely unknown. This research focuses on the Chesapeake Bay, which is connected to the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and contains many marine species that are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Historical ocean surface temperature data recorded by buoys are used to detect MHWs and quantify their intensities, frequencies, and durations in four representative regions from 1984 to 2020. The four regions are the upper bay, middle bay, lower bay and Atlantic Ocean. The regions share many similarities and differences among the detected MHWs and their properties. The maximum intensity and duration do not appear to be increasing over time and instead fluctuate. The frequency of MHWs and total days above the threshold in the upper bay and the Atlantic Ocean are increasing over time. These results shed light on understanding the effects of historical MHWs on marine ecosystems and predicting future MHW events. Additionally, having this information provides insight for fishery harvesting and bay restoration following MHW events.

Mentors:

Jian Zhao, Ph.D.

Students:

Megan Daugherty, University of South Carolina Columbia