Studies of Coastal Ocean Dynamics and Processes Using Emerging Optical Technologies

Increasing emphasis is being placed upon scientifi c research, monitoring, and manage-ment of the coastal ocean for many compel-ling reasons. It is estimated that over 60 per-cent of the human population dwells within the coastal zone (defi ned as the region lying within –200 m and +200 m of mean sea level; Pernetta and Milliman, 1995). Benefi ts derived from coastal waters include fi sher-ies, natural resources, transport of goods, and recreation. These same waters are often adversely affected by pollution from river and storm runoff, spills and resuspension of waste materials, input of fertilizers caus-ing eutrophication and sometimes anoxia