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Satellite Oceanography Lab (Ocean Environment Observation Section)
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A satellite oceanography lab that analyzes variability in the ocean using artificial satellites.
AboutAbout the lab
Reading ocean variability from satellites.
The lab uses observational data from artificial satellites to study variability phenomena that occur in the ocean.
Satellites can repeatedly observe wide areas in fine detail, but what they can observe is limited, and technical development is needed to use the data.
Ocean research using satellite data began in earnest in 1988, when a satellite data reception and analysis room was established at Tohoku University.
The lab belongs to the Center for Atmospheric and Oceanic Studies in the Graduate School of Science and operates as the Ocean Environment Observation Section.
Key terms
- Satellite oceanography
- The field of study that uses observational data from artificial satellites to investigate the state and variability of the ocean
NewsLab news
A paper on marine heatwaves and coral cover in Bali was published in International Journal of Remote Sensing
A paper on the cold-water area and chlorophyll maximum in the Savu Sea, Indonesia, was published in PEPS
A paper on high sea temperature events and coral bleaching in the Ryukyu Islands was published in PEPS
ResearchResearch themes
The lab conducts research that clarifies the state of the ocean environment and its variability by integrating and analyzing observational data from satellites, ships, buoys, and floats with the results of climate and ocean numerical models. The distribution of heat and dissolved substances and their variability are not only closely related to the Earth's climate but also have a major impact on marine ecosystems.
*Illustrative imageSatellite data and oceanographic research
Satellites are used to observe sea surface temperature, ocean color, waves, sea surface height, sea surface winds, and more. A major feature of satellite observation is that it can repeatedly observe wide areas at high spatial resolution.
*Illustrative imageOcean variability during typhoon passage
In an example examining sea surface temperature before and after a typhoon passed, temperature dropped along the typhoon's track. The lab also studies the relationship between typhoons and phytoplankton, and the effects on the ocean if typhoons change due to global warming.
*Illustrative imageGlobal-scale changes in the ocean environment
By integrating large amounts of observational data and using statistical analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, the lab investigates the state of the global-scale ocean environment and its variability. It found that the concentration of nutrients, which support marine ecosystems, is changing on a large scale with global warming and climate change.
*Illustrative imageCarbon dioxide uptake in the Arctic Ocean
Using an estimation method based on AI techniques, the lab estimated when and where the Arctic Ocean absorbs how much CO2. It found that the Arctic Ocean absorbs CO2 in almost all regions, while the amount absorbed varies greatly in time and space with environmental changes such as sea ice and wind.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Satellite Oceanography Lab consist of faculty members (including those with concurrent appointments), project researchers, administrative assistants, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2025
- ProfessorSayaka Yasunaka
- Associate ProfessorFutoki Sakaida
- ProfessorMichio Kawamiya
- Associate ProfessorBaolan Wu
- Associate ProfessorXinru Li
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “NASA satellite view of Southern Ocean phytoplankton bloom (crop)” NASA Suomi NPP satellite / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Satellite data and oceanographic research: “Bloom in the Black Sea (MODIS)” MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC / Public domain (cropped)
- Ocean variability during typhoon passage: “ParmaMelor AMO TMO 2009279 lrg” NASA image courtesy the MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC. Caption by Holli Riebeek. / Public domain (cropped)
- Global-scale changes in the ocean environment: “A Sea Aswirl With Chlorophyll (154699 - map pce 20250712 lrg)” NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using PACE data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview and the NASA Ocean Biology Distributed Active Archive Center OB.DAAC. Story by Lindsey Doermann. / Public domain (cropped)
- Carbon dioxide uptake in the Arctic Ocean: “Daily Arctic Sea Ice, By Year (SVS5046 - arctic sea ice w dates 2024001 print)” NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio - USRA/Trent L. Schindler, Global Science and Technology, Inc./Cindy Starr / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Physical Oceanography Lab): “Anton Dohrn am Liegeplatz in Bremerhaven” Manfred Stein / CC BY-SA 3.0 de (cropped)
- Related lab (Climate Physics Lab (Atmospheric Radiation Observation Section)): “Cumulus congestus cloud in sky” Piyushv99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Subduction Zone Physics Lab): “Mayon Volcano eruption at Daraga Church” Jaycee Esmeria / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Fukagawa Lab): “Five ALMA antennas (img 2893)” D. Schreiner and S. Degezelle/ESO / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
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