Physical Oceanography

Chuanmin Hu

Professor
Optical Oceanography
Ph.D., University of Miami, Physics Dept., 1997
Office Phone: 727.553.3987
Email: huc@usf.edu
CV: View PDF
Optical Oceanography Laboratory Website
Dr. Chuanmin Hu on Google Scholar

Research: Ocean Optics and Optical Remote Sensing

Specialties: Ocean Optics, Ocean Color Remote Sensing, Radiative Transfer Modeling, Harmful Algal Blooms, Coastal Water Quality and Pollution

 

Nearly all marine life depends on light. Dr. Hu’s research is focused on addressing coastal ocean problems using primarily optics. These problems include river-ocean interactions (transport and transform of particulate and dissolved matters), carbon cycling, algal blooms, coral reef environmental health and ecosystem connectivity, climate change and anthropogenic influence on coastal/estuarine water quality. As light exists both below and above the surface of the ocean, Dr. Hu and his group members at the Optical Oceanography Lab approach these problems through 1) characterizing the underwater light field using the state-of-the-art optical equipment; 2) developing satellite remote sensing algorithms and data products specifically targeted to these problems; and 3) integrating these products with other data to understand coastal ocean changes in bio-optical properties as well as their causes and consequences.

The current research at OOL emphasizes the use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to better understand the 3-dimensional light field and algal bloom formation, and high-resolution satellite remote sensing from which customized data products are derived for estuaries, turbid coastal waters, and optically shallow waters (e.g., coral reefs, seagrass). The recent establishment of a virtual antenna system (VAS) and a virtual buoy system (VBS) greatly facilitates data and information sharing on coastal blooms and general water quality with a variety of user groups.