Geographical information systems (GIS) to manage oceanographic data for site designation and site monitoring

Abstract

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for ocean disposal site designations under the provisions of Section 102 of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA). EPA Region IX led a multiagency (federal and state) effort to designate an ocean dredged material disposal site for the San Francisco Bay region. Geophysical and oceanographic studies were conducted on the continental slope west of the Farallon Islands. Data collected on the continental slope complements data collected previously on the continental shelf off San Francisco. The types of data collected range from sediment samples to marine bird and mammal counts. These data were the basis for evaluating alternative sites for ocean disposal site designation. Geographic information systems (GIS) technology is allowing researchers and managers to integrate these diverse data types into relational thematic coverages. Development of these thematic maps into two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional images enhances visual and spatial analysis and allows assessment of potential environmental impacts for monitoring of the designated San Francisco deep ocean disposal site (SF‐DODS). Using GIS in conjunction with scientific visualization can augment the spatial and temporal dimensions of environmental data sets and assist decision makers.

Keywords:

• dredged material
• ocean disposal
• Farallon Islands
• GIS
• monitoring
• environmental impacts
• decision making
• continental slope