fluxes of carbon and nitrogen in the open ocean regions can then be 

 addressed in the context of changes in coastal eutrophication, storage 

 pools of CO2, and fishery yields, at daily and decadal time scales. 



To improve our estimates of phytoplankton abundance and growth rates, 

 we recommend that NASA fly a C2CS follow-on (Ocean Color Imager, OCI) 

 with improvements in channels, bit accuracy, calibration, data storage 

 and handling, and real time accessability . This could be achieved by 

 flying an OCI on the NOAA series of satellites and by implementing the 

 focused field experiments discussed as part of the Marine Resources 

 Experiment (MAREX) . MAREX is conceived as an integrated, interdisciplin- 

 ary and multi-agency research opportunity, likely including elements of 

 future NASA, NOAA, NSF, DOE and ONR programs and inviting international 

 collaboration. In conjunction with the development of a new OCI, it is 

 necessary that selected data sets of the current C2CS be processed to 

 the best possible Level II product and analyzed in biological scientific 

 literature to demonstrate the techniques to be used in MAREX, evaluate 

 the limits of biological use of the data, and provide the basis for 

 algorithms for the OCI. 



Color Scanner data are extremely useful for other applications in addition 

 to those previously mentioned. Identification of fronts, eddies, turbid- 

 ity, and regions of bioluminescence are a few of the defense applications 

 of OCI data. Albacore and salmon feeding habitats and anchovy spawning 

 habitats, are examples of the fisheries-related changes that can be 

 detected with satellite ocean color/temperature data for improved fisher- 

 ies management. Thus, while this document largely discusses ocean primary 

 productivity research, a wide variety of other research and operational 

 users will also benefit from the flight of a future Ocean Color Imager. 



A number of measurements will be needed. The aims of MAREX are: (1) 

 measure global chlorophyll; (2) relate chlorophyll to global biomass; 



xn 



