CARIBBEAN REGIONAL ASSOCIATION FORCOASTAL OCEAN OBSERVINGCOASTAL OCEAN OBSERVING

6th G l A bl6th General Assembly:

Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System Progress Report and OutlookProgress Report and Outlook

AGENDA & ABSTRACTS

Club Náutico de San Juan, San Juan, PR

March 13, 2014

University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Campus

Antes, ahora y siempre… ¡COLEGIO! PO Box 3446 Lajas, PR 00667-3446 Tel. (787) 899-2048 ext.. 279 Fax (787) 899-2564 http://cara.uprm.edu; http://www.caricoos.org

Patrono con Igualdad de Oportunidades de Empleo - M/F/V/I

February 26, 2014 Members, supporters and friends of the Caribbean Regional Association for Coastal Ocean Observing – CaRA The General Assembly has become an occasion to celebrate the success of the observing system that together we have built. The Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CariCOOS), maintained and operated by a dedicated core professional team at UPRM, would not be possible without the widespread support offered by CaRA, by its Stakeholders Council, by its members and friends here and abroad, by the IOOS system at the national level, by the IOOS Association that brings together eleven such regional Associations, and by an intricate network of technical partners and collaborators. Guidance for the buildout of the observing system was obtained from the beginning by consultation with the stakeholder base and the design was refined by the Council and ratified time and again at the General Assemblies. The societal benefits that this rigorous organizational scheme brings are evident. The CariCOOS data buoy network is one of many successes of the organization and a case in point. Carefully consulted, planned and executed, and meticulously maintained and operated, it has become an invaluable regional asset for a myriad applications ranging from routine maritime operations to recreational planning to emergency preparedness. Its operation involves CariCOOS staff in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, fund managers at IOOS, UPRM and UVI, maritime field contractors, technical buoy operators at the University of Maine, goodwill support at ports and marinas and the national data buoy center (NDBC) at NOAA. It is truly a success we can all be proud of. Other many CaRA/CariCOOS initiatives will be revisited today at this 6th CaRA General Assembly. May we celebrate the success of our observing system long into the future.

Jorge E. Corredor Chairman, CaRA Stakeholders Council Associate Director, CariCOOS

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CARIBBEAN REGIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COASTAL OCEAN OBSERVING

6th General Assembly

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Agenda

8:00 AM Registration - Posters and exhibits

9:00 AM Introductory remarks: Dr. Jorge E. Corredor, CaRA Council Chairman Associate Director, CariCOOS Prof. Lucas Avilés, Acting Chancellor, UPRM Dr. Manuel Valdés-Pizzini, Acting Dean, Arts & Science, UPRM

9:30 AM Director’s welcome and executive report

The Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System: Progress report and proposed workplan Prof. Julio Morell, Executive Director CaRA/CariCOOS

Extending CariCOOS from the regional to the nearshore domain Dr. Miguel Canals, Associate Director CariCOOS CaRA -Virgin Islands Update Dr. Paul Jobsis, Acting Director Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, UVI IOOS update Mr. Carl Gouldman, Division Chief, IOOS office

10:30 AM Presentation of CariCOOS - PREMA MOU

Mr. Miguel A. Ríos - Torres, Executive Director, PREMA Prof. Julio Morell, Executive Director CaRA/CariCOOS and

10:45 AM Posters and exhibits

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11:30 AM CariCOOS representative stakeholders: Roberto Cortés - Telemundo PR Edwin Font - Commercial fishermen (Rincón) Capt. Alex Cruz - Caribbean Harbor Pilots

12:00 PM Partner programs:

Roberto García, Director National Weather Service, San Juan

Ernesto Díaz, Director, Coastal Zone Management Program, Department of Natural and Environmental Resources

Partner initiatives: Sustained and Targeted Ocean Observations for Improving

Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Intensity and Hurricane Seasonal Forecasts - Gustavo Goni, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Miami, FL

Tides, storm surge, and extratropical swell waves in Puerto Rico: numerical modelling and field experiments - Juan González, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame

The CariCOOS Asset Explorer: A new tool for Exploring Caribbean Observations and Forecasts - Dr. William Douglas Wilson, Caribbean Wind LLC

1:00 PM Building upon existing strategies to educate users of ocean observation

data in the Caribbean Dr. Yasmín Detrés, Education and Outreach Coordinator

1:15 PM Announcements 1:30 PM Lunch - Posters & exhibits 2:45 PM CaRA Business meeting

Approval of 2013 CaRA General Assembly minutes CaRA Stakeholders Council meeting report Nomination and election of Stakeholders Council member Other matters

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Abstracts Index

Principal author Abstract title Page

Number

Morell, Julio The Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System: progress report and proposed workplan

7

Canals, Miguel Extending CariCOOS from the regional to the nearshore domain 8

Detrés, Yasmín Building upon existing strategies to educate users of ocean observation data in the Caribbean

9

Aponte, Luis D. Implementation and validation of high‐resolution WRF‐NMM 10

Barreto, Maritza A study of beach profile changes at selected beaches on the north coast of Puerto Rico (2009‐2013)

11

Benítez, José A storm surge atlas for the US Virgin Islands in support of emergency management

12

Brocco, Belitza Occurrence and severity of suspended sediment loading in the CariCOOS region utilizing the Medium Resolution Imagery Spectrometer (MERIS)

13

Canals, Miguel Validation and improvements to the CariCOOS Nearshore Wave Model during FY‐2013

14

Chaparro, Ruperto Eight years later: Preferences and opinions of users 15

García, Edward Ocean circulation forecast for the area of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands: validation and assessment

16

Goni, Gustavo J. Sustained and targeted ocean observations for improving Atlantic Tropical cyclone intensity and hurricane seasonal forecasts

17

González, Adolfo CariCOOS field operations 18

González, Juan Tides, storm surge, and extratropical swell waves in Puerto Rico: numerical modelling and field experiments

19

Meléndez, Melissa Monitoring coastal ocean acidification in Caribbean coral reefs: CariCOOS ocean acidification monitoring program

20

Perez, Xochitl Spatial and temporal distribution of emerging contaminants in the San Juan Bay Estuary, Puerto Rico

21

Pomales, Luis O. Assessing regional coastal modelling using CariCOOS observations 22

Quiñones, Estefanía Towards the development of a beach hazards warning system for Puerto Rico

23

Rodríguez, José CariCOOS DMAC and computational infrastructure 24

Salgado, Gabriela Hydrodynamic modeling in the Northeast Corridor Reserve 25

Sanchez, Mayra Estuarine fishes as bio‐indicators of changes in environmental conditions and emerging contaminants

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Solano, Miguel Effects of wind stress on ocean currents in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands in an operational forecasting system

27

Tamar, Steve Community based water quality monitoring in northwest Puerto Rico

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The Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System:

progress report and proposed workplan

Julio M. Morell Rodríguez, CariCOOS Executive Director

Miguel F. Canals Silander, CariCOOS Associate Director

Jorge E. Corredor García, CariCOOS Associate Director

From its early planning stage, scientists and stakeholders have collaborated in the design and

implementation of a coastal observing system capable of providing for high priority needs of

coastal information in our region. This initial system proved effective in providing wind, wave

and current data products as well as forecasting models for the Atlantic and Caribbean insular

shelves. A fully developed hurricane driven storm surge modeling effort is addressing the need

for inundation maps for the region. Also, operational dissemination of the remotely sensed

water quality products provides valuable information to fishermen, managers and researchers.

During the first two years of its current implementation phase, resources were focused on

completing the initial development stage, achieving operational status of all assets including

data buoys, coastal meteorological instrumentation network, coastal HR radars, numerical

modeling systems and data acquisition, management and dissemination systems.

During the past twelve months CariCOOS has tackled major technological challenges toward the

development of observing and modeling tools required for the shoreward extension of the

CariCOOS product domains. Said extension allows us to provide informational support to

specific shore‐dependent activities/sectors such as port and harbor operations, recreational

activities and coastal resource management. Specifically, we are focusing on 1) navigation

safety and rapid response recovery in the most important regional ports; 2) minimizing hazards

to recreational users 3) monitoring climate change (warming and acidification); 4) supporting

mitigation and adaptation to coastal hazards and 5) assisting management of coastal resources

including marine protected areas. Given the diversity and significance of these efforts,

CariCOOS recognized the need for adopting a Poster and Exhibits communication format during

CaRA’s General Assembly to allow presenting these in detail to associates and partners while

being receptive of their vision and recommendations. Below you will find the respective

abstracts/summaries.

Scientists and staff of the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CariCOOS) acknowledge

the opportunity to inform CaRA associates, partners and stakeholder in general on progress

achieved and goals reached in this past year as well as consulting on potential system

development directions. Moreover we recognize this interaction as essential for staying on

course as a stakeholder‐need driven observing system consistent with the fundamental IOOS

mission.

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Extending CariCOOS from the regional to the nearshore domain

Miguel Canals, Julio Morell, Jorge Corredor, Stefano Leonardi, Luis Aponte, Aurelio Mercado

Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez

After seven years of continued development, the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System

(CariCOOS) has reached a major turning point regarding the nature of its ocean observing

platforms and numerical modeling efforts. During the design stage of CariCOOS, stakeholder

consultations highlighted the need for operational instrumented buoy platforms to provide

data on winds, waves, currents and water quality. This led to the deployment of four full data

buoys off the coasts of San Juan, Ponce, Fajardo / Vieques and the United States Virgin Islands

(USVI), a directional Datawell Waverider buoy in the Mona Passage, an array of shore based

High Frequency Radar antennas for surface current mapping in the Mona Passage, and a

network of hurricane‐hardened coastal meteorological stations. In addition, a suite of

numerical models of winds and waves are currently operational for the region and continuously

validated with our observational assets. Although stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with

the regional‐scale understanding obtained with CariCOOS models and ocean observing assets,

recent consultations have highlighted the need for sector focused products to be developed at

smaller scales targeting selected ports, highly visited and yet often hazardous tourist beaches,

marine protected areas and other locations. This talk describes the progress of our efforts in

FY2013 regarding the development of new observing platforms and models to satisfy the

nearshore‐specific needs of our stakeholders.

CariCOOS Ocean Observing Assets

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Building upon existing strategies to educate users of ocean observation data in

the Caribbean

Yasmín Detrés and Julio Morell

Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

The initial strategy of the CariCOOS Education and Outreach (E/O) program included formal and

informal education strategies promoting ocean literacy, coastal weather awareness and correct

utilization of CariCOOS data products and services. In our effort to enhance the Program

recognition as the “reliable source for coastal weather information” the CariCOOS E/O Program

has developed new strategies to strengthen initiatives already in place. On going approaches

include the use of electronic media and communication technologies, such as social networking

platforms (i.e. Facebook and Twitter) allowing reaching out to more users. Moreover, these

two‐way communication channels allow on line communities to connect and interact with

CariCOOS staff and therefore their value in user needs assessment. A recently developed

interactive project that uses the Arc GIS Stoytelling Interactive Map Tour has also encouraged

exploration of CariCOOS assets. Development of YouTube tutorials, presentation of exhibits at

informal education venues and publications such as newsletters and newspaper articles are

powerful tools to generate interest and educate users of ocean observation data in the

Caribbean. Maintaining established partnerships and building new collaborations are key goals

in the accomplishment of CariCOOS mission and objectives. The E/O program is an essential

complement to the overall success of CariCOOS.

CariCOOS assets Arc GIS Storytelling Interactive Map Tour

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Implementation and validation of high‐resolution WRF‐NMM for the CariCOOS region

Luis D. Aponte‐Bermúdez, Ph.D., P.E

Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System,

University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez luisd.aponte@upr.edu

CariCOOS numerical modeling efforts directly support wind forecasts at the National Weather

Service (NWS) San Juan, PR Weather Forecast Office (SJ‐WFO), through model setup,

optimization & validation CariCOOS has implemented a mirror run of SJ‐WFO operational

Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model based on the Non‐hydrostatic Mesoscale

Model (NMM) developed by NCEP1. The model consists of two domains with horizontal spatial

resolution of 6‐km and 2‐km, respectively. Employing similar model setup, CariCOOS has

implemented a single domain model with a finer resolution of 1 km. Model validation was

conducted by comparing in‐situ2 wind observations (Oi) to model forecast (Mi). The statistical

parameters considered to determine the best skill assessment were the following: Pearson

correlation coefficient (r), mean bias (MB), mean absolute gross error (MAGE), root mean

square error (RMSE), index of agreement (IOA) and hit rate (HR). The skill assessment reveals

noteworthy improvement in the forecasting of wind speed and direction by the High‐Resolution

model in regions sheltered by the complex topographic features of the islands. CariCOOS 1‐km

WRF‐NMM model output, to be implemented operationally during spring 2014, will serve as

the forcing winds for the CariCOOS‐SWAN and CariCOOS‐ROMS models.

(a)

(b)

1 National Centers for Environmental Prediction 2 In-situ wind observations were adjusted to 10m height above ground level.

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A study of beach profile changes at selected beaches on the north coast of

Puerto Rico (2009‐2013)

Maritza Barreto1 and Nahir Cabrera2

1Geography Department, University of Puerto Ric at Rio Piedras

2Planning School, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras

This study comprises an evaluation of beach profile changes in selected beaches in the north

coast of Puerto Rico from 2009‐2013. Permanent profile stations were located on diverse

geographic coastal scenarios including beaches that are: protected by natural barriers 2) semi

protected by natural or man‐made barriers, and 3) exposed to direct impact of waves and

swells. Beach monitoring was done on a monthly basis and/or during normal wave regime

conditions and after occurrences of swells. Wave data (height, period and direction) and

climatological data (cold fronts and storm occurrences) were acquired from published

databanks from the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CariCOOS) and weather chart

published by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Results

showed continuos beach morphology changes from reflective to dissipative profiles, and vice

versa, during the study period. Major beach profile changes were observed during the

occurrence of swells generated by cold fronts arriving from the North Atlantic. These changes

occurred mainly during the occurrence of swells approaching from the north and northwest

with wave periods ranging from 11 to 18 seconds.

This research was supported in part by The National Science Foundation (NSF) (Informal Science Project 0638966) and The

Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico, The Environmental Natural Resources Department, Coastal Zone Management Division

DRNA and the Graduate Studies and Research Office, University of Puerto Rico.

“Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not

necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico.

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A storm surge atlas for the US Virgin Islands in support of emergency management

Jose Benitez1 and Aurelio Mercado2

1Physics Department, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, PR

2Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, PR

As part of a CariCOOS‐sponsored storm surge atlas was prepared for the US Virgin Islands, in

which storm surge flood maps as a function of hurricane intensity (Saffir‐Simpson scale) were

prepared. The storm surge stillwater elevations include wind, pressure, and wave setups. For

this purpose tightly coupled versions of the circulation model, ADCIRC, and of the wave model,

SWAN, were run in which ADCIRC computes the wind and pressure setups, passes the stillwater

elevations to SWAN, and SWAN computes the wave radiation stresses which are then fed back

to ADCIRC. ADCIRC then corrects the wind and pressure stillwater elevations by including the

effect of the waves in the wave setup effect. This is done iteratively until program termination.

Both models run in the same unstructured mesh. Three different directions of storm heading

were used, and one forward storm speed. The bathymetry is based on an NGDC DEM, while the

topography is Lidar based, bare‐earth data.

Maximum of the Maximums (MOM) inundation for all category 5 hurricanes for Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas).

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Occurrence and severity of suspended sediment loading in the CariCOOS region utilizing the satellite borne Medium Resolution Imagery Spectrometer (MERIS)

Belitza A. Brocco Jaime and Julio Morell

Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

Sedimentation is one of the most pressing water quality issues in Puerto Rico’s (PR) coastal region. It represents a threat to coastal benthic communities and has been persistently linked to river discharge and disturbances of drainage basins from agriculture, deforestation, and urban development. In this study, total suspended sediments (TSS) were quantified at eight stations around PR (Fig.1) using a database (2005 to 2009) generated from Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) images at 300 m resolution. Suspended sediments were found at detectable concentrations at all stations with higher concentrations found at stations subject to direct river discharges off the north and west coasts of the island. The stations located off Manatí, Rio Añasco and in San Juan Bay exceeded the critical TSS concentration threshold of 10 mg l‐1, reported as causing critical negative impacts to coral reef ecosystems, during periodic rainy season events. The lowest TSS concentrations were found at stations with no direct river discharge, off PR’s west and south coasts. Suspended sediments concentrations in the south region were very low, however, the coastal area off Santa Isabel, dominated by intense agricultural activity, showed near critical concentrations. Areas with the higher precipitation rates and associated to river discharges in the north and west coasts show higher TSS content. Our work shows that effective land conservation practices and management strategies are needed to safeguard important tropical benthic communities. Nearshore urban development areas in the rainier regions are of special concern.

Maximum values of TSS (2005‐2009) at selected stations around Puerto Rico

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Validation and improvements to the CariCOOS Nearshore Wave Model during

FY‐2013

Miguel Canals

UPRM Center for Applied Ocean Science and Engineering Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System

Department of Engineering Science and Materials University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

The CariCOOS Nearshore Wave Model (http://www.caricoos.org/drupal/swan_multigrid) was

developed in FY2012 and has been operational for 16 months with an up‐time of 99.2%. In an

effort to continue improving our nearshore predictions of wave and sea state conditions,

several upgrades have been implemented, including:

Addition of two high‐resolution grids for Luquillo‐Fajardo (NEPR‐HR grid) and the

Southeast Puerto Rico grid (SEPR) at 120 meters resolution

An increase in the spatial resolution of the San Juan grid to 60 meter grid spacing

Improved virtual buoy network – over 120 virtual buoys are now available

New and improved graphical output

These and other upgrades, as well as the result of a rigorous model validation exercise

conducted at the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve in Rincón, PR are discussed in this poster

presentation.

Grids of the CariCOOS Nearshore Wave Model (top) and sample output of significant wave height in mosaic mode.

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Eight years later: Preferences and opinions of users

Ruperto Chaparro1, Douglas Santos2 and Carlos J. Carrero Morales1,3

1Sea Grant Puerto Rico

2Social Sciences Department, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

3Interdisciplinary Center for Coastal Studies, UPRM

In 2006, the Sea Grant Program and the Interdisciplinary Center for Coastal Studies conducted a

canvas and rapid assessment to identify potential clientele (stakeholders) including the

identification of main needs for information from an Integrated Ocean Observing System. At

that time we made a number of suggestions about the needs of different users, which were

incorporated in the www.caricoos.org page. Assessment and review processes are essential in

any project. At this stage we will be contacting and consulting a variety of stakeholders from

different places of Puerto Rico, who use www.caricoos.org. The objective of this consultation is

to find out the level of knowledge of users about CariCOOS. We will be contacting fishermen,

boaters, divers, surfers and other users, to investigate what sources they use to obtain

climatological or oceanographic information. This consultation will also allow us to know the

purpose for which users look for this information. Also we will know the frequency that users

use the site and how useful they find the information. This information will be beneficial for

further improving and developing new tools and products for the different stakeholders of

www.caricoos.org.

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Ocean circulation forecast for the area of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands: validation and assessment

Garcia E.1, Solano M.1, Capella J.2, Canals M.2,3,4, Morell J.2 & Leonardi S.1

1Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas 2Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez,

3 UPRM Center for Applied Ocean Science and Engineering 4Department of Engineering Science and Materials,

University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

The Regional Ocean Modeling System has been implemented in the area of Puerto Rico and

Virgin Islands in the development of a forecast system to support marine activities, search and

rescue operations, fishery management and trajectory analysis for pollution and oil spill

accidents. A downscaling approach using the operational American Seas Navy Coastal Ocean

Model (AmSeas NCOM) is used to assign boundary conditions to the simulation and to initialize

the model. Tidal forcing derived from the Oregon Tidal Prediction Software (OTPS) and winds

taken from the National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) are used. Numerical results are

compared with measurements from Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers and tide gages. Model

skill of the present simulations is compared with that relative to AmSeas NCOM. This forecast

system is intended to be part of the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CariCOOS).

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Sustained and targeted ocean observations for improving Atlantic Tropical

cyclone intensity and hurricane seasonal forecasts

Gustavo Jorge Goni1, Sang‐Ki Lee1,2, Walt McCall3, Julio Morell4, Hyun‐Sook Kim5, Chunzai

Wang1, David Enfield2, Eric Uhlhorn1, Joseph Cione1, George Halliwell1, Jorge Corredor4, Frank Muller‐Karger6, Y. Asilis7, F. Carvajal7, C. Troncoso7, S. Gopalakrishan1, Vijay Tallapragada5

1NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Miami, FL

2University of Miami, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, Miami, FL 3NOAA National Data Buoy Center, Stennis, MS

4Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System,, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, PR 5NOAA Environmental Modeling Center, College Park, MD

6University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL 7ANAMAR: Autoridad Nacional de Asuntos Maritimos, Dominican Republic

This is a multi‐institutional effort that brings together the research and operational components

within NOAA and the research community to implement and carry out sustained and targeted

ocean observations from Seagliders in the Caribbean Sea and southwestern tropical North

Atlantic Ocean. The upper ocean thermal structure in this region has been linked to rapid

intensification of tropical cyclones, and to the seasonal Atlantic hurricane activity. However,

there are only a few (<300) upper ocean thermal observations carried out per year in this

region, and sustained ocean observations are currently not in place or planned. This work will

provide 4,500 to 5,500 profile observations per year during the two‐year study. In addition, for

the first time, current velocity profiles will be obtained from the Seagliders during the second

year of the work to assist hurricane forecast models to reproduce the key ocean dynamic

processes associated with tropical storm‐induced surface ocean cooling. The main objectives of

this work are to implement upper ocean observations from Seagliders, to evaluate their impact

on and to improve: (1) hurricane intensity forecasts and (2) hurricane seasonal forecasts; using

a combination of these new sustained observations, targeted observations, data analysis, and

current NOAA operational forecast models.

The two regions (bounded with red lines) where underwater gliders (below) will be deployed. Tracks of Cat. 1‐5

cyclones (in grey) in a region of the AWP during 1993‐2011, with circles indicating the location of their

intensifications. The background color is the Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential (proportional to the upper ocean

heat content).

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Caricoos field operations

Adolfo Gonzalez and Carlos Ortíz

Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

CariCOOS is the observing arm of the Caribbean Regional Association for Integrated Coastal

Ocean Observing. The field operations team performs periodical maintenance of the different

observing assets including the Wind Mesonet in partnership with Weatherflow Inc ® and the PR

Seismic Network. The CariCOOS Rincon Wave Rider Buoy is completely refurbished by our team

yearly, with tech support from our partners at CDIP San Diego. The CariCOOS GoMOOS Buoys

are removed every year for calibration and sensor replacement with assistance of Commercial

Divers Inc® and technical support from the Physical Oceanography Group at the University of

Maine. Technical and administrative support is provided locally by CariCOOS in the operation of

2 transmit/receive antenna pairs located at Club Deportivo del Oeste in Cabo Rojo and the

Puerto Rico Police FURA station on Añasco beach. Scattering of high frequency (12 MHz) radio

(HFR) emissions by ocean waves is used to produce maps of surface ocean currents. HFR

current maps for the Mona Passage are made possible through support from the Department

of Homeland Security to the Center for Secure and Resilient Maritime Commerce and Coastal

Environments (CSR). The CariCOOS team also maintains a MapCO2 buoy located along the fore‐

reef of Cayo Enrique shelf reef at La Parguera, Puerto Rico part of the CariCOOS OA Monitoring

Program (OAMP) in coastal coral reef environments. The CariCOOS Field Team operates a jetski‐

based bathymetric surveying system developed to navigate in the surf zone and in very shallow

water to determine morphodynamic changes in the seafloor and to quantify morphology

changes before and after storm events.

GOMOOS type buoys deployment

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Tides, storm surge, and extratropical swell waves in Puerto Rico: numerical

modelling and field experiments

Juan Gonzalez‐Lopez3, Joannes J. Westerink1, Andrew B. Kennedy1, Miguel Canals4,3,4, Andre van der Westhuysen5, Jane M. Smith6, Rick A. Luettich7, Julio Morell3

1Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame 2UPRM Center for Applied Ocean Science and Engineering

3Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System 4Department of Engineering Science and Materials,

University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez 5IMSG at NOAA/NWS/NCEP/Environmental Modeling Center

6Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center 7Institute of Marine Sciences,University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Given its location on a steep, narrow shelf and its exposure to tropical cyclones and winter

swells generated by extratropical storms, a combination of numerical modeling and field

experiments has been undertaken in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands to fully understand

their impact on our coast. Results of a thorough validation for tidal water levels and storm

surge forecasts using a new SWAN+ADCIRC high resolution model for the region will be

presented, as well as results from a field experiment in which pressure sensors and ADCPs were

deployed over a reef to measure the wave transformation and breaking of winter swell waves

with periods in excess of 18 s.

Triangular elements and bathymetry contours (up to 100 m) of the new PRVI2013 mesh on the vicinity of Puerto

Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

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Monitoring coastal ocean acidification in Caribbean coral reefs: CariCOOS ocean acidification monitoring program

Melissa Meléndez1, Julio M. Morell1, Sylvia Musielewicz2, Jorge Capella1

1Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

2 Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Seattle, Washington

Observations of pH in the open ocean have shown a long‐term decrease due to the

anthropogenic increase in CO2 emissions driving what is commonly referred to as ocean

acidification (OA). Responding to the need for improved understanding of the magnitude and

impact of OA on coastal coral reef ecosystems, the CariCOOS OA Monitoring Program (OAMP)

has provided scientists and resource managers with five years of sustained observations of

carbonate dynamics in a well‐developed tropical near‐reef ecosystem off La Parguera, PR. Data

from OAMP had evidenced moderate reduction of aragonite saturation state (Ωarg) as waters

traverse the South West PR insular shelf system. Contrastingly, observations in waters overlying

a shallow back‐reef seagrass community repeatedly show a marked increase in Ωarg well

exceeding the values observed at oceanic and coral reef environments. This finding suggests a

potential role for seagrass ecosystems in providing a refuge for calcifying and non‐calcifying

organisms from OA effects. The future OAMP observations will provide for improved estimation

of the potential role of waters surrounding coral reefs in modulating the effects of OA. Such

efforts could support the design and implementation of protective measures and critical

monitoring tools, ranging from resource management to environmental engineering, aimed at

conserving coastal calcifying organisms.

Time series of Ωarg at Enrique forereef (green line) compared to the offshore (red line) and seagrass community on the backreef of Enrique (blue circles). During the summer and fall, reef values decrease considerably due to the “local effects” (hatched green area).

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Spatial and temporal distribution of emerging contaminants in the San Juan Bay Estuary, Puerto Rico

X. Perez¹, L. Diaz2. L. Roberson¹

¹Department of Environmental Science, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras

2Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras

The San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE) has been impacted by anthropogenic inputs affecting aquatic

marine life. Past studies have identified organic contaminants in the estuary but are not

included in long‐term water quality sampling. Contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) have

been discovered in freshwater systems worldwide but little is known about contaminant

degradation, distribution and fate in coastal areas. Additionally, the behavior and dynamics of

contaminants in tropical zones with high temperatures and precipitation are very poorly

studied. We monitored CECs for two consecutive years (2012‐2013) at 9 sites in the SJBE. Using

EPA methodologies and GC–MS, we extract CECs in sediments, water, and tissue from local

crabs, Callinectes sapidus. Water sample concentrations of several contaminants (e.g., dibutyl

phthalate and dichlorobenzene) show large differences between 2012 and 2013. Also, new

pharmaceutical compounds were identified in 2013 including 3‐Bromofuran, Depo‐Provera and

caffeine. These data will be used to help validate models of contaminant transport in shallow

coastal waters being developed by CariCOOS to better understand persistence and degradation

processes of these compounds in highly variable tropical systems.

22

Assessing regional coastal modelling using CariCOOS observations

Luis O. Pomales‐Velázquez and Julio Morell

Caribbean Coastal Observing System, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

The Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System operates a network of observing assets including data

buoys, meteorological stations and CODAR‐radars which provide real time data on coastal conditions

including coastal winds, waves, currents and other ocean properties pertinent to coastal operations and

activities. Forecasting these properties for emergency response and other planning purposes is only

achievable by the use of numerical models. This effort focuses on verifying the accurateness and

usefulness of forecasts generated by models made available by federal agencies such (AMSEAS and

HyCOM) and the regional CariCOOS‐ROMS implementation against data acquired by CariCOOS observing

assets and historical data compiled into climatological products. Result of these analyses will provide

criteria for the identification of strategies towards enhancing

23

Towards the development of a beach hazards warning system for Puerto Rico

Estefanía Quiñones‐Meléndez¹ and Miguel Canals2,3,4

1Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

2UPRM Center for Applied Ocean Science and Engineering 3Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System

4Department of Engineering Science and Materials University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

It is well known that the main factor leading to drowning deaths in Puerto Rico are wave‐

induced currents and the lack of education of the public on the topic of beach hazards.

Accurate surfzone forecasts communicated in a concise manner are important in planning

nearshore activities and can help in preventing drowning fatalities. The present study set out to develop a beach hazards warning system that takes into account data from CariCOOS buoys and

from the CariCOOS Nearshore Wave Model, as well as local bathymetry and anecdotal

evidence, to emit a “surfzone hazard level” for recreational beaches in Puerto Rico. At the

moment, beach hazard levels are estimated for 57 of Puerto Rico’s most popular beaches.

Example of hazard warning levels for February 19 2013 (left) and significant wave height from the CariCOOS Nearshore Wave Model (right)

24

CariCOOS DMAC and computational infrastructure

José Rodríguez and Jorge E. Capella

Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

Data Management and Communications (DMAC) is a high‐priority component of the National

IOOS program and therefore of its eleven Regional Associations, including CariCOOS. DMAC

compliance standards and implementation guidelines have been designed at the National level

whereas IOOS timelines for its various components provide us with local implementation goals.

Underlying CariCOOS’s DMAC data gathering and modeling endeavors is a robust and site‐

redundant computational network composed of High Performance computing (HPC) servers, an

ArcGIS (OGC‐WMS) server, and Windows and Linux workstations for general data management,

product development and operational product maintenance. Dual computational facilities are

maintained in Puerto Rico at our main office (UPR Marine Sciences Laboratory at Isla Magueyes,

Lajas) and at the CariCOOS computer laboratory and administrative facilities at UPR Mayaguez.

Continental US‐based offsite servers are leased to balance our web page loads and provide

maximum uptime for our services. This poster provides a summary of the various DMAC

components and services that are currently operational in CariCOOS, presents our ongoing

work in Sensor Observation (SOS) implementation and compliance, provides examples of our

computational assets and attempts to show how all this connects with our program goals and

with the needs our stakeholders.

CariCOOS server rack for data modelling, backup and publishing

25

Hydrodynamic modeling in the Northeast Corridor Reserve

Gabriela Salgado¹ and Miguel Canals2,3,4

1Department of Civil Engineering, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

2UPRM Center for Applied Ocean Science and Engineering 3Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System

4Department of Engineering Science and Materials University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

To develop an appropriate management plan for the marine section of the Northeast Corridor

Reserve it is necessary to understand the hydrodynamic connectivity between the different

regions within the NECR as well and understand the distribution of wave energy. Knowledge of

the prevailing circulation patterns in the region will help coastal managers determine which

areas must be given special attention. There is very little data about the circulation patterns of

the NECR and during this second year we (CariCOOS) have continued our hydrodynamic

modeling efforts in the Northeast Corridor Reserve. In addition, the operational wave and

current models for the NECR developed during year FY2012, which are currently available on

the CariCOOS webpage, will be maintained permanently as operational tools, and the

hydrodynamic connectivity in the shallow coastal region is being evaluated using a Particle

Tracking Model.

Results from high‐resolution circulation modeling in the NECR

26

Estuarine fishes as bio‐indicators of changes in environmental conditions and

emerging contaminants

M. Sánchez‐García¹, S.J. Zottoli², and L. Roberson¹

¹Department of Environmental Science, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras ²Williams College, Williamstown, MA

Anthropogenic inputs have led to coastal degradation, altering environmental conditions in

estuarine ecosystems and adding toxic substance harmful to the environment. To deal with this

growing problem it is essential that we have a rapid, sensitive, low‐cost bio‐indicator. This

project explored the feasibility of using common estuarine fish as a bio‐indicator for adverse

changes in environmental conditions. The project focused on behavioral effects of changes in

pH, dissolved oxygen and contaminants of emerging concern on fish locomotion and their

response to stimuli. We used startle behavior, a quantifiable biological endpoint, to provide a

quantitative measure of neural and mechanical disruption. Data from CariCOOS buoys and the

San Juan Estuary Program monitoring stations were used to quantify environmental conditions

in fish habitats. We found that small decreases in dissolved oxygen levels (80% O2) and pH (7.4)

can adversely affect fish escape response (F4, 65=27.65, p<0.0001 and F5, 10=30.59, p<0.0001,

respectively). Additionally, we identified 40 organic compounds in fish tissue and water samples

(25 and 15, respectively) from the Condado Lagoon, and frequent low oxygen/low pH events

throughout the estuary. Fish startle response may therefore be a useful biological assay for

studying the impact of environmental degradation in coastal ecosystems.

Startle response decreased by 27% at 80% O2 and dropped as much as 94 % in the most sensitive species (L. jocu)

at only 60% O2. Oxygen levels in the estuary can drop below 40% in some areas for a large part of the year.

ANOVA, F (4, 65)

= 27.65 p<0.0001,

Tukey HSD p<0.0001

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Lutjanus jocu Gerres oyena Haemulonplumierii

Sta

rtle

Res

pon

se (

%)

Reduced oxygen

100%

80%

70%

60%

100%

2

27

Effects of wind stress on ocean currents in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands in an operational forecasting system

Solano M. 1, Garcia E. 1, Canals M.2,3,4, Cappella J. 3, Morell J. 3 & Leonardi S. 1

1Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas 2UPRM Center for Applied Ocean Science and Engineering

3Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System 4Department of Engineering Science and Materials,

University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

The effect of different wind data products on ocean circulation output has been studied using

the Regional Ocean Modeling System. The computational domain includes the island of Puerto

Rico and the US Virgin Islands, focusing mainly on the ocean circulation around the islands of St.

John and St. Thomas. Wind data for surface forcing of the ocean model include the AmSeas

Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM) and the National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD). AmSeas

gets wind stress data from a 15 km application of the Coupled Ocean‐Atmosphere Mesoscale

Prediction System (COAMPS) into a 3.2 km grid and NDFD gets wind data from a 2 km

application of the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model interpolated to a 1.3 km grid.

Wind and ocean currents are validated against anemometers and Acoustic Doppler Current

Profilers located at moorings south of St. Thomas and St. John. The regional model ROMS is

compared against the NCOM mesoscale model for prediction skill assessment. The higher

resolution WRF model improves forecast skill of the operational system.

28

Community based water quality monitoring in northwest Puerto Rico

Steve Tamar

Surfrider, Rincón, PR

Since October 2007 the volunteer‐staffed Rincón chapter of the non‐profit Surfrider Foundation

has been conducting weekly sampling and testing of various marine and fresh water sites in the

Isabela‐Rincón area, detecting enterococcus bacteria as an indicator of fecal contamination.

The Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) team uses the EPA approved IDEXX Enterolert equipment

and methodology to provide quantified counts of selected enterococcal species (expressed as

the Most Probable Number of Colony Forming Units per 100 ml, MPN CFU/100ml) to the public,

government and academic agencies, researchers and collaborators via a national database,

emails and social media postings. This data allows the public to make informed decisions about

recreational water use, and to make regulatory agencies aware of water‐borne public health

threats. A particular focus of the BWTF is the Reserva Marina Tres Palmas (RMTP) in Rincón

and the effort to identify and remediate sources of bacterial contamination adversely affecting

the health of colonies of the federally‐protected elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) located

there. Currently this is the only water quality monitoring of this type being done in Puerto Rico.

Rincón BWTF results and historical data can be accessed at:

http://www.surfrider.org/blue‐water‐task‐force/chapter/4. Data is also available on the www.CariCOOS.org website (via the 'Beach Water Quality' tab in the Water Quality dropdown

menu). CariCOOS is providing support and funding for additional water testing in the RMTP

vicinity for 2014.

One significant BWTF finding is that observed/reported rainfall is not the only major factor contributing to contamination of local beach waters.

CariCOOS Staff

Julio M. Morell, MS ‐ Executive Director & Principal Investigator julio.morell@upr.edu

Jorge E. Corredor, PhD – Associate Director, Co‐PI & Chairman CaRA jorge.corredor@upr.edu

Miguel F. Canals, PhD ‐ Co‐PI & Associate Director miguelf.canals@upr.edu

Stefano Leonardi, PhD ‐ Investigator stefano.leonardi@utdallas.edu

Yasmín Detrés, PhD ‐ Education and Outreach Coordinator yasmin.detres@upr.edu

Luis D. Aponte, PhD ‐ Investigator luisd.aponte@upr.edu

Jorge E. Capella, PhD ‐ DMAC & Modeling Coordinator jorge.capella@upr.edu

Aurelio Mercado, MS ‐ Investigator aurelio.mercado@upr.edu

Roy Watlington ‐ US Virgin Islands, Education & Outreach Coordinator rawatlington@earthlink.net

Paul Jobsis ‐ UVI, Investigator pjobsis@uvi.edu

Vanessa Gutiérrez, BOA ‐ Administrative Officer vanessa.gutierrez@upr.edu

Belitza A. Brocco, MS ‐ Scientific Instrumentation Specialist belitza.brocco@upr.edu

Melissa Melendez, MS ‐ Research Associate melissa.melendezoyola@upr.edu

Valentine M. Hensley ‐ Research Associate

Vanessa Wright – UVI, Research Technician vwright@live.uvi.edu

Adolfo González, BS ‐ Web Page Designer adolfo.gonzalez1@upr.edu

José B. Rodríguez, BS ‐ Communication Technician Specialist II jose.rodriguez188@upr.edu

Carlos J. Ortiz ‐ Specialist Underwater Activities carlos.ortiz34@upr.edu

Roberto Castro ‐ Technical support

Jorge Sabater ‐ Technical support

Efraín Figueroa ‐ Technical Support

Graduate students Undergraduate students

Edgardo García Estefanía Quiñones

Miguel Solano Kevin J. Bergollo

José L. Benítez Alexander J. Padín

Luis O. Pomales Gabriela Salgado

Jaime Calzada Christian Rojas

Adaíl Rivera

E‐mail: caricoos@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/caricoos

Twitter: https://twitter.com/caricoos

Address: PO Box 3446 / Lajas, PR 00667

Tel/Fax: 787‐899‐2564

“Your reliable source of coastal information”