Oceanic manifestation of global changes: satellite observations of the atmosphere, ocean and their interface

This is a special issue featuring a selection of research papers presented at the Ninth Biennial Pan Ocean Remote Sensing Conference (PORSEC) in Guangzhou China in December 2008. Primarily through volunteer efforts, with some support from the host countries and national and international agencies that share its principles, the PORSEC association has been holding biennial scientific meetings since 1992 in different locations around the Pacific Rim and Indian Ocean. The goal of the meetings and the associated training courses is to further the understanding of the Earth’s ocean environmental processes by taking advantage of the unique perspective provided by satellite remote sensing technology. We strive to protect the ocean and atmosphere and promote sustainable use and development of oceanic and coastal resources. PORSEC2008 received in-kind and financial support from the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Guangzhou Association for Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Sciences Foundations of China and the US, ESA, and NASA. The 31 research papers in this issue cover a broad range of problems in satellite observations of the atmosphere, ocean, and their interface in relation to atmospheric and oceanic circulations on difference scales. Papers also cover fisheries and biological activity. They are briefly reviewed by general topic in the following subsections.