Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

0000-0001-7634-2902

Advisor

Martins, Vitor

Committee Member

Tagert, Mary Love

Committee Member

Skarke, Adam

Committee Member

Sparks, Eric

Committee Member

Ramirez Avila, John

Date of Degree

8-12-2026

Original embargo terms

Embargo 1 year

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Major

Engineering (Biosystems Engineering)

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

James Worth Bagley College of Engineering

Department

Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Abstract

Coastal ecosystems have been under increasing pressure from climate variability, land-based nutrient inputs, and human activities, resulting in water quality impairments and an increasing frequency and severity of algal blooms. These events offer risks to ecosystem health, fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal economies. Despite that, monitoring capacity remains limited, particularly in the northern U.S. Gulf Coast. Moreover, there is a lack of advanced satellite data processing, modeling, and visualization tools to translate coastal observations into actionable information. Therefore, addressing monitoring gaps and tool development is essential for understanding and managing these understudied issues. This dissertation aims to advance coastal water quality monitoring with the integration of satellite remote sensing, in situ observations, and predictive modeling into operational frameworks. First, a review of algal bloom forecasting was conducted to assess the current state of knowledge, evaluate the role of satellite remote sensing, and identify critical research gaps. Second, Sentinel-3 Coastal Analysis Ready Data (S3CARD) framework was developed to generate reliable, gridded Sentinel-3 OLCI surface reflectance products for coastal applications. Third, SatBuoy, a satellite-based virtual buoy observation network, was implemented to integrate S3CARD outputs with in situ measurements, creating continuous, spatially distributed datasets that characterize water quality dynamics in the Mississippi Sound. These contributions aim to advance remote sensing applications in coastal waters and to provide practical tools for sustained coastal water quality monitoring, particularly on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The proposed frameworks have the potential to be adapted to other coastal ecosystems, supporting global efforts to safeguard water resources amid increasing environmental and climatic pressures.

Sponsorship (Optional)

Mississippi-based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence (MBRACE) program

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