| Critical Scales
are the temporal and/or spatial scales at which data must be collected in
order to resolve patterns and understand the dynamics of marine systems.
Determination of Critical Scales, and development of the technology to sample
at the required scales often leads to the discovery of new kinds of patterns
or phenomena. This information may lead us to abandon old ideas, ask new
kinds of questions, and revolutionize scientific paradigms. Sampling coastal
marine waters at Critical Scales has led to the discovery of Thin Layers
--- structures of the water column which may be only a few centimeters to
a meter in vertical thickness, but on the order of kilometers in horizontal
extent. Repeated sampling has demonstrated that Thin Layers may persist
for hours, or for many days. They have important implications for marine
ecology, and for ocean optics and acoustics. On this site you will find
information about Critical Scales
and Thin Layers, the technology being developed to reveal them, and
the Thin Layers Experiments. |
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The
Thin Layers Experiments
and related efforts are funded by the
Office of Naval Research
programs in Biological
& Chemical Oceanography
Physical
Oceanography & Environmental
Optics
and by NSF, NOAA and the
Naval Research Laboratory
Visitors since 1 September 2000
The
Thin Layers Web Site is coordinated at the
Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island
send comments and suggestions to jrines@gso.uri.edu
26
March 2002
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