
Welcome to the Ocean Weather Laboratory!
Located at the John C. Stennis Space Center, the Ocean Weather Lab is a real-time
integrated and predictive center for ocean modeling, data integration, and biogeochemical
oceanography. The mission of the Ocean Weather Laboratory is to assemble and couple
satellite remote sensing data with ocean models, in situ observations, and other remotely
sensed products to fully characterize a 4-dimensional ocean. To facilitate meeting
our objective, the Ocean Weather Lab processes satellite ocean color (MODIS, VIIRS)
and physical model (NCOM, HYCOM) data for the Gulf of Mexico on a daily basis.

In addition to the Ocean Weather real-time data Lab, USM’s Division of Marine Science
houses several in situ observation support platforms, including gliders, the R/V Lemoyne,
a weather buoy, CODAR sites, laboratory facilities, and state of the art oceanographic
instrumentation. The integration of in situ, remotely sensed, and modeled data in
real-time sheds light on the interaction of physics and biogeochemistry in complex
ecosystems, and leads to an increased understanding of inherent uncertainties.

This comprehensive integration of data from several sources provides closure as well
as highlighting ecological patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed in the Gulf of
Mexico. With this system, we are able to examine the origin and date of river plumes,
quantify biomass and physical volume transport, track the movement of bio-optical
features, specifically characterize water masses, resolve spatial and temporal variance,
and link the bio-physical coupling that ultimately drives ecosystem variability on
global scales. We are continuously collaborating with a diverse group of scientists
in order to expand our capabilities and strive to provide real-time answers to rapidly
evolving questions.

Contacts
Mustafa "Kemal" Cambazoglu - Assistant Professor
mustafa.cambazogluFREEMississippi
Recent Publications from the Ocean Weather Lab:
- Arnone, R. Jones, B. Ladner, S. Soto,I. "Seasonal trends of biophysical ocean properties and anomalies across the Mississippi
Shelf ", Proc. SPIE 10631, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring X, 1063102 (15 May 2018); doi:
10.1117/12.2309427; https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2309427
- Jones, B., Arnone, R., "Anomalous marine biophysical conditions due to 2016 and 2017 wind and flooding events
in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico", Proc. SPIE 10631, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring X, 1063103 (15 May 2018); doi: 10.1117/12.2309889;
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2309889
- Weilin Hou, Robert Arnone, "Special Section Guest Editorial: Recent Advances in Geophysical Sensing of the Ocean:
Remote and In Situ Methods," Journal of Applied Remote Sensing 11(3), 032401 (17 August 2017). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JRS.11.032401
- Lee, Z., Arnone, R, Boyce,D, , Franze, B., Greb, S., Hu, C., Lavender, S., Lewis,
M., Schaeffer, B., Shang, S., Wang, M., Wernand, M., Burg, D., Wilson, C., (2018),
Global water clarity: Continuing a century-long monitoring, Eos, 99, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018EO097251. Published on 07 May 2018 https://eos.org/opinions/global-water-clarity-continuing-a-century-long-monitoring
- Soto , I, Cambazoglu , M., Boyette , A., Broussard ,K., Sheehan D., . Howden , S.,
Shiller,. A, Dzwonkowski , B., Hode, L., Fitzpatrick, P., Arnone, R., Mickle ,P.,
Cressman, K., “Advection of Karenia brevis blooms from the Florida Panhandle towards Mississippi
coastal waters” Elsevier: Harmful Algae 72 (2018) 46–64 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2017.12.008
- Adam T. Greer Alan M. Shiller Eileen E. Hofmann , Jerry D. Wiggert , Sally J. Warner
Sabrina M. Parra , Chudong Pan 1, DongJoo Joung , Steven Dykstra , Jeffrey W. Krause
, Brian Dzwonkowski , Inia M. Soto , M. Kemal Cambazoglu , Alison L. Deary , Christian
Briseño-Avena , Adam D. Boyette , Jessica A. Kastler , Laura Hode , Uchenna Nwankwo
, Luciano M. Chiaverano , Stephan J. O’Brien , Patrick J. Fitzpatrick , Yee Lau ,
Michael S. Dinniman , Kevin M. Martin , Allison K. Mojzis , Stephan D. Howden , James
N. Moum , Frank J. Hernandez , Ian Church , Travis N. Miles , Jeffrey W. Book , Su
Sponaugle , Robert A. Arnone , Robert K. Cowen , Gregg A. Jacobs , William M. Graham
“ Functioning of coastal-river dominated ecosystems and implications for oil spill response:
from observations to mechanisms and models” Oceanography 31(3). September 2018; https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2018.302
- Arnone, R., Vandermuelen,R ; Soto,I; Ladner,S; Ondrusek, M; Yang, H: "Diurnal changes in ocean color sensed in satellite imagery", J. Appl. Remote Sens. 11(3), 032406 (May 09, 2017); http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/1.JRS.11.032406
- Arnone, R., Jones, B. " Monitoring abnormal bio-optical and physical properties in the Gulf of Mexico ", Proc. SPIE 10186, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring IX, 101860O (May 22, 2017); doi:10.1117/12.2266789 http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2266789
- Cambazoglu, M. K., Soto, I. M., Howden, S. D., Dzwonkowski, B., Fitzpatrick, P. J.,
Arnone, R. A., Jacobs, G. A., & Lau, Y. H. (2017). Inflow of Shelf Waters into the Mississippi Sound and Mobile Bay Estuaries in October
2015. J. Applied Remote Sensing. 11(3), 032410. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/1.JRS.11.032410
- Vandermeulen, R ., Mannino, A., Neeley, A., Werdell, J. Arnone ,R ., 2017, “Determining the optimal spectral sampling frequency and uncertainty thresholds for
hyperspectral remote sensing of ocean color”, Optics Express, s Vol. 25, Issue 16, pp. A785-A797 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.25.00A785
- Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R., Ladner, S., Ondrusek, M., Kovach, C., Hang, H., Salisbury,
J., 2016. Diurnal changes in ocean color in coastal waters. Proc. SPIE 9827, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring VIII, 982711. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2241018
- Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R.A., Donaghay, P., Yang, H., 2016. Surface biomass across the Coastal Mississippi Shelf. Proc. SPIE 9827, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring VIII, 98270Z. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2240874
- Jenkins, C.A., Goes, J.I., McKee, K., Gomes, H., Arnone, R., et al. 2016. High-resolution shipboard measurements of phytoplankton: a way forward for enhancing
the utility of satellite SST and chlorophyll for mapping microscale features and frontal
zones in coastal waters. Proc. SPIE 9878, Remote Sensing of the Oceans and Inland Waters: Techniques, Applications
and Challenges 98780U. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2225875
- Valente, A., Sathyendranath, S., Brotas, V., Groom, S., Grant, M., Taberner, M., Antoine,
D., Arnone, et al., 2016. A compilation of global bio-optical in situ data for ocean-colour satellite applications. Earth Syst. Sci. Data 8:235-252. DOI: 10.5194/essd-8-235-2016.
- Yang, H., Arnone, R., Jolliff, J., 2015. Estimating Advective near-surface currents from ocean color satellite images. Remote Sensing of Environment 158:1-14. DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2014.11.010.
- Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R.A., Ignatov, A., Cayula, J.F., 2015. Seasonal trends of ACSPO VIIRS SST product characterized by the differences in orbital
overlaps for various waters types. Proc. SPIE 9827, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring VII, 94590T. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2179731.
- Vandermeulen, R.A., Arnone, R., Ladner, S., Martinolich, P., 2015. Enhanced satellite remote sensing of coastal waters using spatially improved bio-optical
products from SNPP-VIIRS. Remote Sensing of Environment 165:53-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2015.04.026
- Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R.A., Ladner, S., Bowers, J., Martinolich, P., Fargion,
M., Ondrusek, M., 2014. Sensitivity of calibration “gains” to ocean color processing in coastal and open waters
using ensembles members for NPP- VIIRS. Proc. SPIE 9111, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring VI, 911105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2053409
- Vandermeulen, R.A., Arnone, R., Ladner, S., Martinolich, P., 2014. Estimating sea surface salinity in coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico using visible
channels on SNPP-VIIRS. Proc. SPIE 9111, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring VI, 911109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2053417
- Ladner, S., Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R.A., Martinolich, P., Lawson, A., Bowers, J.,
Crout, R., Ondrusek, M., 2014. Inter-Satellite Comparison and Evaluation of Navy SNPP-VIIRS and MODIS-Aqua Ocean
Color Properties.Proc. SPIE 9111, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring VI, 911109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2053060
- Bowers, J., Arnone, R., Ladner, S., Fargion, M., Lawson, A., Martinolich, P., Vandermeulen,
R.A., 2014. Regional Vicarious Gain Adjustment for Coastal VIIRS Products. Proc. SPIE 9111, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring VI, 911114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2053187
- Cayula, J.F.P., Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R.A., 2014. Comparison of VIIRS SST fields obtained from differing SST equations applied to a
region covering the Northern Gulf of Mexico and Western North Atlantic. Proc. SPIE 9111, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring VI, 911110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2053435
- Arnone, R., Ladner, S., Fargion, M., Martinolich, P., Vandermeulen, R.A., Bowers,
J., Lawson, A., 2013. Monitoring Bio-Optical Processes Using NPP-VIIRS And MODIS-Aqua Ocean Color Products. Proc. SPIE 8724, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring V, 87240Q. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2018180
- Vandermeulen, R.A., Arnone, R., Ladner, S., Martinolich, P., 2013. Improved monitoring of bio-optical processes in coastal and inland waters using high
spatial resolution channels on SNPP-VIIRS sensor. Proc. SPIE 8724, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring V, 87240O. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2018108
- Davis, C.O., Tufillaro, N., Nahorniak, J., Jones, B., Arnone, R., 2013.Evaluating VIIRS Ocean Color Products for West Coast and Hawaiian Waters. Proc. SPIE 8724, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring V, 87240J. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2016177
- McBride, W., Arnone, R., Cayula, J.F., 2013. Improvements of Satellite SST Retrievals at Full Swath. Proc. SPIE 8724, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring V, 87240R. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2016177
- Arnone, R., Fargion, M., Martinolich, P., Ladner, S., et al., 2012. Validation of the VIIRS Ocean color. Proc. SPIE 8372, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring IV, 83720G. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.922949
- Davis, C.O., Tufillaro, N., Jones, B., Arnone, R., 2012.Automated ocean color product validation for the Southern California Bight. Proc. SPIE 8372, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring IV, 83720J. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.920617
- Pennucci, G., Fargion, G., Alvarez, A., Trees, C., Arnone, R., 2012. A methodology for calibration of hyperspectral and multispectral satellite data in
coastal areas. Proc. SPIE 8372, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring IV, 83720K. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.920464
- Arnone, R., Derada, S., Ladner, S., Trees, C., 2012. Probing the subsurface ocean processes using ocean LIDARS. Proc. SPIE 8372, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring IV, 83720O. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.921103
- Lee, Z., Franz, B., Shang, S., Dong, Q., Arnone, R., 2011. Some insights of spectral optimization in ocean color inversion. Proc. of SPIE Vol. 8175 817508-11
Cruise/Technical Reports
- Ondrusek, M., Arnone, R. et al., 2015. Report for Dedicated JPSS VIIS Ocean Color Calibration / Validation Cruise. NOAA Technical
Report NESDIS 146. http://doi.org/10.7289/V52B8W0Z
OWX Poster Presentations
- Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R., Ladner, S., Goode, W., Ondrusek, M., Goes, J., 2015. VIIRS ocean color validation in the Gulf Stream: Nancy Foster Cruise. 2015 JPSS Annual Science Team Meeting, College Park, MD. August 24-28, 2015. http://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/star/meeting_2015JPSSAnnual_posters.php
- Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R., Ladner, S., 2015. Ocean Color Product Stability using VIIRS Orbital Overlap Monthly Trends. 2015 JPSS Annual Science Team Meeting, College Park, MD. August 24-28, 2015. http://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/star/meeting_2015JPSSAnnual_posters.php
- Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R., Ladner, S., 2015. Characterizing the diurnal changes in coastal waters for VIIRS ocean color validation. 2015 JPSS Annual Science Team Meeting, College Park, MD. August 24-28, 2015. http://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/star/meeting_2015JPSSAnnual_posters.php
- Ladner, S., Arnone, R., Martinolich, P., Bowers,J., Lawson, A., Vandermeulen, R.,
Crout, R., 2015. Temporal Assessment of the Calibration and Accuracy of VIIRS Radiometric (SDR) and
Ocean Color Products (EDR) at MOBY (Standard Cal/Val Site) and WavCIS (Aeronet-OC). 2015 JPSS Annual Science Team Meeting, College Park, MD. August 24-28, 2015. http://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/star/meeting_2015JPSSAnnual_posters.php
- Vandermeulen, R., Arnone, R., Ladner, S., Martinolich, P., 2015. Using the VIIRS I-1 band to enhance monitoring of coastal waters. 2015 JPSS Annual Science Team Meeting, College Park, MD. August 24-28, 2015. http://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/star/meeting_2015JPSSAnnual_posters.php
- Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R., Soto, I., Martin, K., 2015. Applications of VIIRS ocean color for real time adaptive sampling. 2015 JPSS Annual Science Team Meeting, College Park, MD. August 24-28, 2015. http://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/star/meeting_2015JPSSAnnual_posters.php
- Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R., Ignatov, A., Cayula, J.F., 2015. Seasonal trends of ACSPO VIIRS SST product characterized by the differences in orbital
overlaps for various waters types. 2015 JPSS Annual Science Team Meeting, College Park, MD. August 24-28, 2015. http://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/star/meeting_2015JPSSAnnual_posters.php
- Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R., Yang, H., 2015. Characterizing the diurnal changes in coastal bio-optical properties. International Ocean Colour Science, San Francisco, 15-18 June 2015. http://www.eposters.net/pdfs/characteizing-the-diurnal-changes-in-cosatal-bio-optical-properties-.pdf
- Lance, V.P., Ondrusek, M., Arnone, R., et al., 2015. Dedicated NOAA/VIIRS Ocean Color Calibration/Validation Cruise: Cruise objectives
and scope of observations. International Ocean Colour Science, San Francisco, 15-18 June 2015. http://www.eposters.net/pdfs/dedicated-noaaviirs-ocean-color-calibrationvalidation-cruise-cruise-objectives-and-scope-of.pdf
- Soto, I., Arnone, R., Cambazoglu, M.K., Jacobs, G., Vandermeulen, R.A., Howden, S., 2016. Coupling a High Resolution Circulation Model, Ocean Color Satellite Imagery and Field
Data to Characterize the 3-Dimensional Mississippi River Plume. 2016 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference, Tampa, Florida. February
1-4, 2016.
- Cambazoglu, M.K., Jacobs, G.A., Howden, S.D., Book, J.W., Arnone, R.A., Greer, A.T.,
Soto, I., Vandermeulen, R.A., Miles, T., 2016.Examining Internal Waves on the Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Shelf with Navy
Coastal Ocean Model, NCOM. 2016 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference, Tampa, Florida. February
1-4, 2016.
- Vandermeulen, R.A., Arnone, R.A., Soto, I., Bernard, L., Howard, M., Martin, K., 2016. AUV Jubilee 2015: An Exercise in Adaptive Sampling Using Integrated Ocean Observations. 2016 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference, Tampa, Florida. February
1-4, 2016.
- Soto, I., Arnone, R., Cambazoglu, M.K., Jacobs, G., Vandermeulen, R.A., Howden, S., 2016. Characterization of the 3-Dimensional Mississippi River Plume using a high resolution
circulation model coupled with ocean color imagery and field data. 2016 Ocean Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana. February 21-26, 2016.
- Cambazoglu, M.K., Jacobs, G.A., Howden, S.D., Book, J.W., Arnone, R.A., Greer, A.T.,
Soto, I., Vandermeulen, R.A., Miles, T., 2016. Spatio-temporal variability of internal waves in the northern Gulf of Mexico studied
with the Navy Coastal Ocean Model, NCOM. 2016 Ocean Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana. February 21-26, 2016.
OWX Oral Presentations
- Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R.A., Soto, I., Cambazoglu, M.K., Howden, S., Jacobs, G.,
Book, J., Miles, T., Weidemann, A., 2016. Defining dynamic bio-optical physical events across the Miss Shelf and the influence
of fresh water plumes. 2016 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference, Tampa, Florida. February
1-4, 2016.
- Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R., Ladner, S., 2015. Evaluation of VIIRS ocean color products and development of enhanced ocean products
and applications. 2015 JPSS Annual Science Team Meeting, College Park, MD. August 24-28, 2015.
- Arnone, R., Vandermeulen, R., Soto, I., Cambazoglu, M.K., Jacobs, G., Howden, S.,
Weidemann, A., 2016. Ocean Weather - Interaction of physical and bio-optical processes across a river plume
dominated shelf in the Gulf of Mexico. 2016 Ocean Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana. February 21-26, 2016.
- Vandermeulen, R., Arnone, R., et al., Thinking outside of the blue marble: novel ocean applications using the VIIRS Sensor. 2016 Ocean Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana. February 21-26, 2016.
- Bowers, J., Ladner, S., Martinolich, P., Arnone, R., et al., 2016. Investigating the Effects of Variable water Type for VIIRS calibration. 2016 Ocean Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana. February 21-26, 2016.
- Ondrusek, M., Arnone, R., Lee, A., et al., 2016. Variability in Ocean color Validation Measurements during the November 2014 NOAA VIIRS
Cal/Val Cruise. 2016 Ocean Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana. February 21-26, 2016.
- Jenkins, C., Goes, J., Gomes, H., Chekalyuk, A., Arnone, R., 2016. Community composition, biomass and photosynthetic competency of phytoplankton associated
with microscale features and frontal zones on the Gulf Stream. 2016 Ocean Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana. February 21-26, 2016.