Drone thermal imaging and benthic time-series analysis show dynamic spatial and temporal delivery of submarine groundwater discharge on reef ecosystems.

ABSTRACT: Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) introduces nutrient-rich, low-salinity water into coastal ecosystems, significantly altering reef biogeochemistry. At Black Point, O'ahu, we employed a novel, two-pronged approach that integrates a cost-effective small unmanned aerial system equipped with a thermal infrared (sUAS-TIR) sensor and high-resolution benthic salinity time series to resolve previously unobserved, fine-scale patterns of SGD delivery. sUAS-based sampling overcomes key limitations of prior SGD mapping methods, such as labor-intensive and spatially constrained in situ sampling, by enabling rapid deployment, real-time visualization of mixing dynamics, and high-resolution imagery. Unlike previous studies that relied on customized systems that required independent sensor integration

SUBMITTER: Zummo SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12494286 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature