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Ocean Classification

Characterizing Pelagic Habitats within Gulf of Mexico Coastal Waters Using Remote Sensing Data

We have applied the non parametric, non linear, neural network classification known as Self Organizing Maps(SOM) to classify the waters in the Gulf of Mexico and establish the correspondence between the SOM method and the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) scheme.

The following data products were used for the SOM technique: Sea surface temperature (SST), Salinity,ChlorophyllEuphotic depth, and the bottom to surface temperature differential (Delta T).

The classifications are available monthly for a four year period 2005-2009 for three parts of the Gulf of Mexico:

Ocean Classification