Molecular identification and genetic characterization of Theileria and Anaplasma infection in sheep and goat of North Gujarat, India.

Hemoprotozoal diseases are significant health concerns in small ruminants. The present study was conducted to identify and characterize the species of Theileria and Anaplasma in sheep and goats located in different districts of North Gujarat, India. A total of 226 (Banaskantha = 175, Patan = 26, and Bhuj = 25) blood samples were collected from sheep (n = 78) and goats (n = 148), and 46 ticks were collected and identified from sheep and goats. PCR assays were carried out using genus and species-specific primers for Theileria targeting 18S rRNA locus and for Anaplasma targeting the msp5 gene. Overall, 37.2% sheep (29/78) and 10.8% of goats (16/148) were positive for Theileria by PCR, whereas 15.4% of sheep (12/78) and 25.7% goats (38/148) were positive for Anaplasma infection. Moreover, mixed infection was found in 4.4% (10/226) of sheep and goats by PCR. Sanger sequencing of Theileria and Anaplasma positives revealed a high similarity to T. ovis and A. ovis using NCBI blast, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the Anaplasma spp. DNA sequences belonged to the A. ovis group and closely associated with the A. ovis nucleotide sequence strain Haibei isolated in China from sheep (GQ483471). The phylogenetic analysis based on the SSU rRNA locus revealed that the Theileria ovis DNA sequences belonged to the T. ovis group and closely related to MW440586 isolated in Kerala, India, from a goat. The majority of ticks (91.3%) were identified as Hyalomma. In conclusion, Theileria ovis and Anaplasma ovis were commonly identified species in sheep and goats and transmitted mainly by Hyalomma ticks in North Gujarat, India, which is important baseline data for future research and control strategies. This is the first report on Theileria and Anaplasma co-infections in sheep and goats from North Gujarat, India.

Effect of COVID-19-induced lockdown on NO2 pollution using TROPOMI and ground-based CPCB observations in Delhi NCR, India.

The present study investigates the reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels using satellite-based (Sentinel-5P TROPOMI) and ground-based (Central Pollution Control Board) observations of 2020. The lockdown duration, monthly, seasonal and annual changes in NO2 were assessed comparing the similar time period in 2019. The study also examines the role of atmospheric parameters like wind speed, air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and atmospheric pressure in altering the monthly and annual values of the pollutant. It was ascertained that there was a mean reduction of ~ 61% (~ 66.5%), ~ 58% (~ 51%) in daily mean NO2 pollution during lockdown phase 1 when compared with similar period of 2019 and pre-lockdown phase in 2020 from ground-based (satellite-based) measurements. April month with ~ 57% (~ 57%), summer season with ~ 48% (~ 32%) decline and an annual reduction of ~ 20% (~ 18%) in tropospheric NO2 values were observed (p < 0.001) compared to similar time periods of 2019. It was assessed that the meteorological parameters remained almost similar during various parts of the year in 2019 and 2020, indicating a negligent role in reducing the values of atmospheric pollution, particularly NO2 in the study area. It was concluded that the halt in anthropogenic activities and associated factors was mainly responsible for the reduced values in the Delhi conglomerate. Similar work can be proposed for other pollutants to holistically describe the pollution scenario as an aftermath of COVID-19-induced lockdown.

Dynamics of CO2 fluxes and controlling environmental factors in sugarcane (C4)-wheat (C3) ecosystem of dry sub-humid region in India.

In this study, CO2 exchange over sugarcane and wheat growing season was quantified by continuous measurement of CO2 fluxes using eddy covariance (EC) system from January 2014 to June 2015. We also elaborated on the response of CO2 fluxes to environmental variables. The results show that the ecosystem has seasonal and diurnal dynamics of CO2 with a distinctive U-shaped curve in both growing seasons with maximal CO2 absorption reaching up to -8.94 g C m-2 day-1 and -6.08 g C m-2 day-1 over sugarcane and wheat crop, respectively. The ecosystem as a whole acted as a carbon sink during the active growing season while it exhibits a carbon source prior to sowing and post-harvesting of crops. The cumulative net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross primary productivity (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (Reco) were -923.04, 3316.65, and 2433.18 g C m-2 over the sugarcane growing season while the values were -192.30, 621.47, and 488.34 g C m-2 over the wheat growing season. The sesbania (green manure) appeared to be a carbon source once it is incorporated into soil. The response of day-time NEE to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) under two vapor pressure deficit (VPD) sections (0-20 h Pa and 20-40 h Pa) seems more effective over sugarcane (R2 = 0.41-0.61) as compared to the wheat crop (R2 = 0.25-0.40). A decrease in net CO2 uptake was observed under higher VPD conditions. Similarly, night-time NEE was exponentially related to temperature at different soil moisture conditions and showed higher response to optimum soil moisture conditions for sugarcane (R2 = 0.87, 0.33 ≤ SWC < 0.42 m3 m-3) and wheat (R2 = 0.75, 0.31 ≤ SWC < 0.37 m3 m-3) crop seasons. The response of daily averaged NEE to environmental variables through path analysis indicates that PAR was the dominant predictor with the direct path coefficient of -0.65 and -0.74 over sugarcane and wheat growing season, respectively. Satellite-based GPP products from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (GPPMOD) and Vegetation Photosynthetic model (GPPVPM) were also compared with the GPP obtained from EC (GPPEC) technique. The seasonal dynamics of GPPEC and GPPVPM agreed well with each other. This study covers the broad aspects ranging from micro-meteorology to remote sensing over C4-C3 cropping system.

Impact of biomass burning on regional aerosol optical properties: A case study over northern India.

The present study examines the spatial, seasonal and inter annual variation of biomass burning and its impact on regional aerosol optical properties over Northern India using multi-satellite aerosol observations: Active fire points, AOD (550 nm) and AE (550-860 nm) from MODIS retrievals during January 2003-December 2017 and AAOD (388 nm), SSA (388 nm) and AI from OMI UV retrievals during January 2005-December 2017. Results from MODIS active fire count statistics indicate an increase in the number of fire occurrences (average 1477 fires per year) over India in a period of 15 years (2003-2017). The dominant fire seasons are (i) Pre-monsoon (March to May) accounting to more than 45% and (ii) Post-Monsoon having 24% of total annual fires counts. However, the crop residue burning hotspot region located in Punjab and Haryana, constitutes 26% of the total fires in India. At an average, 15456 (77.08%) fire counts were reported during the paddy season, whereas 3296 (16.44%) fire counts during wheat season respectively. The crop residue burning over the northwest IGP (Punjab) significantly affect the aerosol optical properties locally as well in the downwind regions during post-monsoon season i.e., crop residue fires increased by 4% (170 fires per year) with corresponding AOD, AAOD & AI increased by 8%, 9% & 11% respectively. The satellite observation shows large gradient of aerosol parameters from north-west to south-east along the Himalayan foot-hills which indicates the regional transport of smoke aerosols over the region. This is also supported by ground based AOD observations at four locations (Patiala, Delhi, Dehradun and Kanpur) and Black Carbon measurements at two locations (Patiala and Dehradun). The climatological averaged values of ground based AOD550 for Patiala, Delhi, Dehradun and Kanpur are 0.52 ±â€¯0.26, 0.75 ±â€¯0.40, 0.45 ±â€¯0.24 and 0.57 ±â€¯0.29 respectively whereas BC concentrations are 8.43 ±â€¯3.14 µg m-3 & 3.36 ±â€¯1.26 µg m-3 for Patiala & Dehradun respectively. Comparison of MODIS derived AOD agrees well with ground based AODs (overall R = 0.86 and RMSE = 0.14). In addition, CALIPSO shows the maximum amount of biomass burning smoke aerosols present within the atmospheric boundary layer and some cases it extending up to 2-3 km altitudes. The smoke aerosol transport pathways originated from crop residue burning were analyzed using Hysplit forward trajectories. The results reveal that majority of smoke aerosols are transported to eastern IGP, central India and adjacent oceanic regions during post-monsoon season.

Seasonal nitrate algorithms for nitrate retrieval using OCEANSAT-2 and MODIS-AQUA satellite data.

In situ datasets of nitrate, sea surface temperature (SST), and chlorophyll a (chl a) collected during the monthly coastal samplings and organized cruises along the Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh coast between 2009 and 2013 were used to develop seasonal nitrate algorithms. The nitrate algorithms have been built up based on the three-dimensional regressions between SST, chl a, and nitrate in situ data using linear, Gaussian, Lorentzian, and paraboloid function fittings. Among these four functions, paraboloid was found to be better with the highest co-efficient of determination (postmonsoon: R2=0.711, n=357; summer: R2=0.635, n=302; premonsoon: R2=0.829, n=249; and monsoon: R2=0.692, n=272) for all seasons. Based on these fittings, seasonal nitrate images were generated using the concurrent satellite data of SST from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and chlorophyll (chl) from Ocean Color Monitor (OCM-2) and MODIS. The best retrieval of modeled nitrate (R2=0.527, root mean square error (RMSE)=3.72, and mean normalized bias (MNB)=0.821) was observed for the postmonsoon season due to the better retrieval of both SST MODIS (28 February 2012, R2=0.651, RMSE=2.037, and MNB=0.068) and chl OCM-2 (R2=0.534, RMSE=0.317, and MNB=0.27). Present results confirm that the chl OCM-2 and SST MODIS retrieve nitrate well than the MODIS-derived chl and SST largely due to the better retrieval of chl by OCM-2 than MODIS.

Management of a Proximal Femoral Central Physeal Bar in a 3-Year-Old Child Using a Novel Surgical Technique: A Case Report.

CASE: We present a proximal femoral central physeal bar secondary to femoral neck fracture management, in a 3-year-old boy. He presented with progressive femoral neck deformity and limb length discrepancy. He was managed with a novel technique of bar resection by drilling and polymethylmethacrylate interposition. After 5 years of follow-up, the hip score by Ratliff criteria was good. CONCLUSION: Screw penetration across physis during management of femoral neck fracture can cause growth arrest in a young child. Our technique is useful when physeal bar is central and linear. It can allow sufficient growth and remodeling to restore a near-normal hip both radiologically and clinically.

Determining hotspots of gaseous criteria air pollutants in Delhi airshed and its association with stubble burning.

Transboundary pollutant transport is considered as one of the primary factors causing the seasonal air quality deterioration in Delhi, India's capital. The highest standard deviations exceeding days in winter for NO2 (7.14-9.63%) and SO2 (4.04-7.42%) in 2019-2022 underscore the role of meteorological conditions in Delhi's pollution. In contrast, the post-monsoon season shows the highest pollutant exceedance days (4.52-8.00%) for CO due to stubble burning (SB) in Punjab (68,902 fires/year). Despite the government's assertions of decreasing SB events (14.68%), the city's CO exceedance days persistently rose by 6.36%. CAMS data is used for assessing contribution hotspots through back-trajectory analysis at multiple heights. An overlap hotspot of 111 sq. km area is identified in the Southeast parts of Punjab that have a higher contribution to the CO levels in Delhi during the post-monsoon season of 2019. Similarly, hotspots are also observed for SO2 over industrial areas of Punjab during the post-monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons. The same seasons show similar contributing patterns for NO2 highlighting the influence of consistent emission patterns and meteorological conditions. The clear delineation of hotspots using the receptor model at multiple heights coupled with source apportionment studies will assist decision-makers in addressing the pollution sources outside Delhi.

Physical features of Adam's Bridge interpreted from ICESat-2 based high-resolution digital bathymetric elevation model.

Adam's Bridge is a submerged ridge connecting India and Sri Lanka, generally regarded as a chain of shoals extending for ~ 29 km from Dhanushkodi on the Indian side to Talaimannar Island of Sri Lanka. A high-resolution digital bathymetric elevation model generated using the seafloor returned photons of ICESat-2 was used to understand the intricate details of Adam's Bridge structure. Photons emanating from ICESat-2's green laser have the potential to detect the seafloor up to a depth of ~ 40 m; taking a cue from this potentiality, in our research, we have accrued ~ 0.2 million photons representing the depth information and generated a 10 m resolution bathymetric data for the extent of Adam's Bridge. Visual interpretations made from this bathymetric data through 3D perspectives with multi-directional lighting effects, and also with the derived parameters like contours, slope, and volumetric analysis, enabled us to recognize the current form of Adam's Bridge's physical features. The results from our research confirm that, in its entirety, Adam's Bridge is a submarine continuation of Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar Island. Throughout the crest line of Adam's Bridge, approximately 1.5 km on either side is highly undulating within the super-shallow water with occurrences of sudden depths. There is an asymmetry of transverse slopes to the base on both sides of Adam's Bridge, indicating dominant transgression of material energy from the waters of the Gulf of Mannar compared to the Palk Strait. The volume of Adam's Bridge computed in our research yielded a value of ~ 1 km3; interestingly, only 0.02 percent of this volume is above the mean sea level, and in general, the same is visible in optical satellite imagery-in total ~ 99.98 percent of the Adam's Bridge is submerged in shallow and super-shallow waters.

A High-Resolution Digital Bathymetric Elevation Model Derived from ICESat-2 for Adam's Bridge.

This data descriptor elaborates the details of a high-resolution digital bathymetric elevation model generated for the region, namely, Adam's Bridge, which encompasses a chain of shoals between Rameswaram Island, off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka. The proposed dataset has taken advantage of the photon penetrability in the shallow waters by the green laser of ICESat-2 LiDAR to derive the seabed topography. Seafloor depths from ~0.2 million geolocated photons of ICESat-2 for the study area were accrued and interpolated to generate a 10 m digital bathymetric elevation model. Adam's Bridge, an isthmus and submerged reefal assemblage in shallow and super-shallow waters, is a feature of scientific curiosity. Our dataset has the potential to enhance the understanding of Adam's Bridge structure by providing substantial information to reconstruct its evolution.

Spatiotemporal atmospheric in-situ carbon dioxide data over the Indian sites-data perspective.

In the current study, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) data covering multiple locations in the Indian subcontinent are reported. This data was collected using a dedicated ground-based in-situ network established as part of the Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (CAP-IGBP) of the Climate and Atmospheric Processes of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Data are collected over Ponmudi, Ooty, Sriharikota, Gadanki, Shadnagar, Nagpur, and Dehradun during 2014-2015, 2017-2020, 2012, 2011-2015, 2014-2017, 2017 and 2008-2011, respectively. The atmospheric CO2 generated as part of the CAP-IGBP network would enhance the understanding of CO2 variability in different time scales ranging from diurnal, seasonal, and annual over the Indian region. Data available under this network may be interesting to other research communities for modeling studies and spatiotemporal variability of atmospheric CO2 across the study locations. The work also evaluated the CO2 observations against the Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate version 4 atmospheric chemistry-transport model (MIROC4-ACTM) concentrations.

Neighbouring effect of land use changes and fire emissions on atmospheric CO2 and CH4 over suburban region of India (Shadnagar).

The present study investigated the effects of land use/land cover (LU/LC) changes on atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) concentrations over the sub-urban region of India (Shadnagar) using continuous decadal CO2 and CH4in-situ data measured by the greenhouse gas analyser (GGA). Data was collected from 2013 to 2022 at a 1 Hz frequency. Analysis of the current study indicates that during pre-monsoon, the seasonal maximum of CO2 was 409.91 ± 9.26 ppm (µ ± 1σ), while the minimum during monsoon was about 401.64 ± 7.13 ppm. Post-monsoon has a high seasonal mean CH4 concentration of 2.08 ± 0.06 ppm, while monsoon has a low seasonal mean CH4 concentration of 1.88 ± 0.03 ppm. The primary classes, such as forest, crop, and built-up, were considered to estimate the effect of LU/LC changes on atmospheric CO2 and CH4 concentrations. Between 2005 and 2021, the study's results show that the built-up area at radii of 10 km, 20 km, and 50 km increased by 0.17 %, 0.10 %, and 0.4 %, respectively. While other LU/LC categories declined by 30 %, agriculture areas increased by 30 % on average. As a result, the CO2 and CH4 concentrations at the study site are increased by 6 % (26 ppm) and 6.5 % (140 ppb), respectively. The present study utilised the fire-based carbon emissions data from the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED) to understand the impact on atmospheric CO2 and CH4. Analysis of the present work investigated the influence of transported airmass on CO2 and CH4 during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons using the HYSPLIT trajectories and found emissions were from the northwest, southeast, and northeast of the study site. Further, in-situ CO2 and CH4 records are compared against the MIROC4-ACTM simulation, and strong agreement was found with bias of 1.80 ppm and 0.98 ppb for CO2 and CH4, respectively.

LiDAR-based reference aboveground biomass maps for tropical forests of South Asia and Central Africa.

Accurate mapping and monitoring of tropical forests aboveground biomass (AGB) is crucial to design effective carbon emission reduction strategies and improving our understanding of Earth's carbon cycle. However, existing large-scale maps of tropical forest AGB generated through combinations of Earth Observation (EO) and forest inventory data show markedly divergent estimates, even after accounting for reported uncertainties. To address this, a network of high-quality reference data is needed to calibrate and validate mapping algorithms. This study aims to generate reference AGB datasets using field inventory plots and airborne LiDAR data for eight sites in Central Africa and five sites in South Asia, two regions largely underrepresented in global reference AGB datasets. The study provides access to these reference AGB maps, including uncertainty maps, at 100 m and 40 m spatial resolutions covering a total LiDAR footprint of 1,11,650 ha [ranging from 150 to 40,000 ha at site level]. These maps serve as calibration/validation datasets to improve the accuracy and reliability of AGB mapping for current and upcoming EO missions (viz., GEDI, BIOMASS, and NISAR).

Short-Term Complications of Relative Femoral Neck Lengthening Combined with Extra-Articular Osteotomies of the Proximal Femur.

Purpose: Relative femoral neck lengthening (RNL) is a newer technique to correct coxa breva and coxa vara to relieve a femoro-acetabular impingement and improve hip abductor function without changing the position of the head on the shaft. Proximal femoral osteotomy (PFO) changes the position of the femoral head relative to the shaft. We studied the short-term complications of procedures that combined RNL with PFO. Methods: All hips that underwent RNL and PFO using a surgical dislocation and extended retinacular flap development were included. Hips that were treated only with intra-articular femoral osteotomies (IAFO) were excluded. Hips that underwent RNL and PFO, with IAFO and/or acetabular procedures were included. Intra-operative evaluation of the femoral head blood flow was performed with the drill hole technique. Clinical evaluation and hip radiographs were obtained at 1 week, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months. Results: Seventy two patients (31 males, 41 females, 6-52 years of age) underwent 79 combined RNL and PFO. 22 hips underwent additional procedures like head reduction osteotomy, femoral neck osteotomy, and acetabular osteotomies. There were 6 major and 5 minor complications noted. Two hips developed non-unions, both with basicervical varus-producing osteotomies. Four hips developed femoral head ischemia. Two of these hips avoided collapse with early intervention. One hip had persistent abductor weakness requiring hardware removal and three hips, all in boys developed symptomatic widening of the hip on the operated side from varus-producing osteotomy. One hip had asymptomatic trochanteric non-union. Conclusion: RNL is routinely performed by releasing the short external rotator muscle tendon insertion from the proximal femur to raise the posterior retinacular flap. Though this technique protects the blood supply from direct injury, it seems to stretch the vessels with major corrections in the proximal femur. We recommend evaluating the blood flow intraoperatively and postoperatively and taking necessary steps early to decrease the stretch on the flap. It may be safer to avoid raising the flap for major extra-articular proximal femur corrections. Significance: The results of this study suggest ways to improve the safety of procedures that combine RNL and PFO.

Case report: Asymptomatic renal arteriovenous fistula requiring endovascular embolization in a living donor transplanted kidney more than 15-years after last protocol biopsy.

Here we present the case of an HLA-identical living-donor kidney transplant recipient, who was incidentally found to have a large complex renal arteriovenous fistula (RAVF) in their transplanted kidney that had been present for nearly 6 years but was previously misinterpreted as being part of a collection of cysts. This patient had undergone 7 protocol biopsies of the transplanted kidney, the last of which had been performed approximately 16 years prior, representing the longest interval between most recent biopsy renal allograft to RAVF diagnosis in the literature date. This report reviews the etiology and principles of management for RAVF.

Long term influence of groundwater preservation policy on stubble burning and air pollution over North-West India.

Stubble burning (SB) has been a major source of seasonal aerosol loading and pollution over northern India. The aftereffects of groundwater preservation act i.e., post 2010 era (2011-2020) has seen delay in crop harvesting thereby shifting the peak SB to May (Wheat SB) and to November (Paddy SB) by 8-10 and 10-12 days compared to pre-2010. Groundwater storage depletion rate of 29.2 mm yr-1 was observed over the region. Post 2010 era shows an increase of 1.4% in wheat SB and 21% in Paddy SB fires over Punjab and Haryana with 70% of PM2.5 air mass clusters (high probability > 0.8) advecting to the downwind regions leading to 23-26% increase in PM2.5 and 4-6% in aerosol loading over National Capital Region (NCR). Although the objective of water conservation policy was supposed to preserve the groundwater by delaying the paddy transplantation and sowing, on the contrary the implementation of this policy has seen groundwater storage after 2013 depleting at a rate of 29.2 mmyr-1 over these regions. Post policy implementation has led to shift and shrinking of harvest window with increased occurrences in SB fires which also increase associated particulate matter pollution over North India.

Successful Use of Kidneys from a Deceased Donor with Active Herpes Zoster Infection.

BACKGROUND: The limited donor pool and increasing recipient wait list require a reevaluation of kidney organ suitability for transplantation. Use of higher infectious risk organs that were previously discarded may help improve access to transplantation and reduce patient mortality without placing patients at a higher risk of poor posttransplant outcomes. There is very little data available regarding the safe use of kidney organs from deceased donors with varicella zoster virus infection at the time of organ retrieval. Case Presentation. Here, we report a case of successful transplantation of both kidneys from a deceased donor with active herpes zoster infection at the time of organ retrieval. Recipients were treated preemptively with acyclovir. At 4 months posttransplant, both kidney recipients experienced no infectious complications and were off dialysis with functioning transplant grafts. CONCLUSIONS: The use of kidney organs from donors with active herpes zoster infection appears to be a safe option to expand the kidney donor pool.

Black carbon aerosol quantification over north-west Himalayas: Seasonal heterogeneity, source apportionment and radiative forcing.

Continuous measurements of Black Carbon (BC) aerosol mass concentrations were carried at Dehradun (30.33°N, 78.04°E, 700 m amsl), a semi-urban site in the foothills of north-westHimalayas, India during January 2011-December 2017. We reported both the BC seasonal variations as well as mass concentrations from fossil fuel combustion (BCff) and biomass burning (BCbb) sources. Annual mean BC exhibited a strong seasonal variability with maxima during winter (4.86 ±â€¯0.78 µg m-3) followed by autumn (4.18 ±â€¯0.54 µg m-3), spring (3.93 ±â€¯0.75 µg m-3) and minima during summer (2.41 ±â€¯0.66 µg m-3). Annual averaged BC mass concentrations were 3.85 ±â€¯1.16 µg m-3 varying from 3.29 to 4.37 µg m-3 whereas BCff and BCbb ranged from 0.11 to 7.12 µg m-3 and 0.13-3.6 µg m-3. The percentage contributions from BCff and BCbb to total BC are 66% and 34% respectively, indicating relatively higher contribution from biomass burning as compared to other locations in India. This is explained using potential source contribution function (PSCF) and concentration weighted trajectories (CWT) analysis which reveals the potential sources of BC originating from the north-west and eastern parts of IGP and the western part of the Himalayas that are mostly crop residue burning and forest fire regions in India. The annual mean ARF at top-of-atmosphere (TOA), at surface (SUR), and within the atmosphere (ATM) were found to be -14.84 Wm-2, -43.41 Wm-2, and +28.57 Wm-2 respectively. To understand the impact of columnar aerosol burden on ARF, the radiative forcing efficiency (ARFE) was estimated and averaged values were -31.81, -91.63 and 59.82 Wm-2 τ-1 for TOA, SUR and ATM respectively. The high ARFE within the atmosphere indicates the dominance of absorbing aerosol (BC and dust) over Northwest Himalayas.

Satellite Ocean Colour: Current Status and Future Perspective.

Spectrally resolved water-leaving radiances (ocean colour) and inferred chlorophyll concentration are key to studying phytoplankton dynamics at seasonal and interannual scales, for a better understanding of the role of phytoplankton in marine biogeochemistry; the global carbon cycle; and the response of marine ecosystems to climate variability, change and feedback processes. Ocean colour data also have a critical role in operational observation systems monitoring coastal eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and sediment plumes. The contiguous ocean-colour record reached 21 years in 2018; however, it is comprised of a number of one-off missions such that creating a consistent time-series of ocean-colour data requires merging of the individual sensors (including MERIS, Aqua-MODIS, SeaWiFS, VIIRS, and OLCI) with differing sensor characteristics, without introducing artefacts. By contrast, the next decade will see consistent observations from operational ocean colour series with sensors of similar design and with a replacement strategy. Also, by 2029 the record will start to be of sufficient duration to discriminate climate change impacts from natural variability, at least in some regions. This paper describes the current status and future prospects in the field of ocean colour focusing on large to medium resolution observations of oceans and coastal seas. It reviews the user requirements in terms of products and uncertainty characteristics and then describes features of current and future satellite ocean-colour sensors, both operational and innovative. The key role of in situ validation and calibration is highlighted as are ground segments that process the data received from the ocean-colour sensors and deliver analysis-ready products to end-users. Example applications of the ocean-colour data are presented, focusing on the climate data record and operational applications including water quality and assimilation into numerical models. Current capacity building and training activities pertinent to ocean colour are described and finally a summary of future perspectives is provided.