Wyniki wyszukiwania - Biblioteka Nauki

1

Inherent optical properties and particulate matter distribution in summer season in waters of Hornsund and Kongsfjordenen, Spitsbergen

100%

Sagan S. , Darecki M.

Oceanologia

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2018

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tom No. 60 (1)

65--75

EN

Two Spitsbergen fjords, Hornsund and Kongsfjorden, are known for being under different hydrological regimes. The first is cold, separated from warm Atlantic water by East Spitsbergen Current, while Kongsfjorden is frequently penetrated by relatively warm Atlantic water. On the other hand, both are under strong influence of water discharge from glaciers and land freshwater input. During the period of observation in both fjords a dominant water mass was Surface Water, which originates mainly from glacial melt. The presence of suspended matter introduced with melt water in Surface Water is reflected by highest values of light attenuation and absorption coefficients recorded in areas close to glacier both in Hornsund and Kongsfjorden. In Hornsund the maximum light attenuation coefficient cpg(555) was 5.817 m−1 and coefficient of light absorption by particles ap(676) = 0.10 m−1. In Kongsfjorden the corresponding values were 26.5 m−1and 0.223 m−1. In Kongsfjorden suspended matter of the size class 20-200 μm dominated over fractions smaller than 20 μm while in Hornsund dominating size fraction was 2-20 μm. The results provide an evidence of considerable range of variability of the optical properties mainly due to glacial and riverine runoff. The scale of variability of particulate matter in Kongsfjorden is bigger than in Hornsund. Most of the variability in Hornsund can be attributed to glaciers discharge and a presence of particles of mineral origin, while in Kongsfjorden the organic and mineral particles contribute almost equally to defining the optical properties of water.

2

Derivation of remote sensing reflectance of Baltic waters from above-surface measurements

100%

Olszewski J. , Darecki M.

Oceanologia

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1999

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tom No. 41 (1)

99-111

EN

It has been shown experimentally that the remote sensing reflectance can be readily calculated from the total remote sensing reflectance, provided certain external conditions are fulfilled. The first condition concerns the solar zenith distance, which should be limited to the 35–70o range (suitable to the Baltic region). The second condition refers to the sea state, which should display no foam and no vertically directed solar glitter. Under such circumstances some simplifying assumptions were possible, which permitted a proper algorithm, in the form of a linear function, to be worked out. Coefficients of the function are tabled for 10 discrete wavelengths (widened SeaWiFS standard), and are also given analytically as linear functions of the wavelength.

3

The aerosol optical thickness over the Baltic Sea

100%

Kusmierczyk-Michulec J. , Darecki M.

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nr 4

4

Optymalizacja trasy żeglugi na potrzeby e-nawigacji w systemie netBaltic

80%

Tycholiz W. , Jakacki J. , Darecki M.

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tom nr 2-3

60--63

PL

Stworzenie efektywnej i niedrogiej w eksploatacji sieci komunikacji w regionie Morza Bałtyckiego umożliwiło wdrożenie wielu usług e-nawigacji, w tym usługi rutingu pogodowego. Przygotowane w ramach projektu netBaltic narzędzie do optymalizacji trasy żeglugi, model hydrometeorologiczny w połączeniu z siecią internetową stwarzają niespotykane dotąd korzyści dla sektora żeglugi morskiej. Podstawą działania wielokryteriowego modułu rutingu pogodowego są algorytmy SPEA, wyszukujące najbardziej optymalną trasę, według ustalonych przez użytkownika kryteriów (np. czas przejścia, bezpieczeństwo, konsumpcja paliwa). Z kolei dedykowany model hydrometeorologiczny generuje zestaw danych prognostycznych dla Bałtyku i dokonuje ich bieżącej aktualizacji. Sieć łączności powstała w ramach projektu netBaltic umożliwia sprawne działanie narzędzia rutingu pogodowego dzięki stworzeniu infrastruktury dostarczającej aktualne prognozy pogody na pokład jednostki.

EN

Development of an affordable communication network for the Baltic Sea region provided the basis for an array of new e-navigation services, including weather ruting, to be implemented. As a result of the netBaltic project the maritime transportation sector can utilise the weather routing tool, a dedicate hydro-met model and an internet-based communication network. The multi-criterion weather routing module applies Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm (SPEA) to determine an optimal route according to a pre-defined set of criteria (e.g. passage time, safety level, fuel consumption). Whilst a dedicated hydro-met model outputs high-resolution weather forecast for the Baltic Sea and updates them regularly. The netBaltic network assures that the latest weather forecast is delivered on-board.

5

Daily radiation budget of the Baltic Sea surface from satellite data

80%

Zapadka T. , Krężel A. , Paszkutab M. , Darecki M.

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2015

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tom nr 3

50--56

EN

Recently developed system for assessment of radiation budget for the Baltic Sea has been presented and verified. The system utilizes data from various sources: satellite, model and in situ measurements. It has been developed within the SatBałtyk project (Satellite Monitoring of the Baltic Sea Environment - www.satbaltyk.eu) where the energy radiation budget is one of the key element. The SatBałtyk system generates daily maps of the all components of radiation budget on every day basis. We show the scheme of making daily maps, applied algorithms and empirical data collection within the system. An empirical verification of the system has been carried out based on empirical data collected on the oil rig placed on the Baltic Sea. This verification concerned all the components of the surface radiation budget. The average daily NET products are estimated with statistical error ca. 13 Wm-2. The biggest absolute statistical error is for LWd component and equals 14 Wm-2. The relative error in relation to the average annual values for whole Baltic is the biggest for SWu and reaches 25%. All estimated components have correlation coefficient above 0.91.

6

Validation of empirical and semi-analytical remote sensing algorithms for estimating absorption by Coloured Dissolved Organic Matter in the Baltic Sea from SeaWiFS and MODIS imagery

80%

Kowalczuk P. , Darecki M. , Zablocka M. , Gorecka I.

Oceanologia

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2010

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tom 52

|

nr 2

171-196

EN

An extensive bio-optical data set obtained from field measurements was used to evaluate the performance of an empirical (Kowalczuk et al. 2005) and two semi- analytical algorithms: Carder et al. (1999) and GSM01 (Maritorena et al. 2002) for estimating CDOM absorption in the Baltic Sea. The data set includes coincident measurements of radiometric quantities and absorption coefficients of CDOM made during 43 cruises between 2000 and 2008. In the first stage of the analysis, the accuracy of the empirical algorithm by Kowalczuk et al. (2005) was assessed using in situ measurements of remote sensing reflectance. Validation results improved when matching points located in Gulf of Gdańsk close to the Vistula River mouth were eliminated from the data set. The calculated errors in the estimation of aCDOM(400) in the first phase of the analysis were Bias = −0.02, RMSE = 0.46 and R2 = 0.70. In the second stage, the empirical algorithm was tested on satellite data from SeaWiFS and MODIS imagery. The satellite data were corrected atmospherically with the MUMM algorithm designed for turbid coastal and inland waters and implemented in the SeaDAS software. The results of the best case scenario for estimating the CDOM absorption coefficient aCDOM(400), based on SeaWiFS data, were Bias = −0.02, RMSE = 0.23 and R2 = 0.40. The validation of the Kowalczuk et al. (2005) empirical algorithm applied to MODIS data led to a less accurate estimate of aCDOM(400): Bias = −0.03, RMSE = 0.19 and R2 = 0.29. This assessment of the accuracy of standard semi-analytical algorithms available in the SeaWiFS and MODIS imagery processing software revealed that both algorithms (GSM 01 and Carder) underestimate CDOM absorption in the Baltic Sea with mean systematic and random errors in excess of 70%. The paper presents examples of the application of the Kowalczuk et al. (2005) empirical algorithm for producing maps of the seasonal distribution of aCDOM(400) in the Baltic Sea between 2004 and 2008.

7

Relationships between inherent optical properties in the Baltic Sea for application to the underwater imaging problem

80%

Levin I. , Darecki M. , Sagan S. , Radomyslskaya T.

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tom 55

|

nr 1

8

Report on the development of the Vistula River plume in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk during the May 2010 flood

80%

Zajaczkowski M. , Darecki M. , Szczucinski W.

Oceanologia

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2010

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tom 52

|

nr 2

311-317

EN

The hydrological conditions, suspended matter concentrations and vertical par- ticulate matter flux were measured as the River Vistula flood wave (maximum discharge) was flowing into the southern part of the Gulf of Gdańsk on 26 May 2010. Extending offshore for several tens of kilometres, the river plume was well stratified, with the upper layer flowing away from the shore and the near-bottom water coastwards.

9

In-water remote sensing algorithms for the detection of chlorophyll and yellow substances in the Pomeranian Bay

80%

Olszewski J. , Kowalczuk P. , Darecki M.

Oceanologia

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1999

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tom No. 41 (3)

461-474

EN

In-water remote sensing algorithms for estimating chlorophyll concentration and the absorption of light (400 nm) by yellow substances valid for the surface layer of the Pomeranian Bay are described. The accuracy of the algorithms has been estimated at 20-60%. The statistical analysis of data collected during a two-year experiment in 1996-1997 enable algorithms to be constructed which use a linear combination of spectral reflectances at selected wavelengths, all of them in the log-log form. The wavelengths in nm are 510, 550, 589 or 510, 625 in the 'chlorophyll' case, and 589, 665 or 490, 665 in the 'yellow substances' case. The correlation coefficient between the log-transformed reflectance ratios and the chlorophyll concentration is around 0.9. The correlation coefficient between the log-transformed reflectance ratios and the yellow substance absorption coefficient at λ= 400 nm is around 0.6.

10

Practical applicability and preliminary results of the Baltic environmental satellite remote sensing system (SATBAŁTYK)

71%

Ostrowska M. , Darecki M. , Krężel A. , Ficek D. , Furmańczyk K.

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2015

|

tom nr 3

43--49

EN

The SatBałtyk (Satellite Monitoring of the Baltic Sea Environment) project is being realized in Poland by the SatBałtyk Scientific Consortium, specifically appointed for this purpose, which associates four scientific institutions: the Institute of Oceanology PAN in Sopot – coordinator of the project, the University of Gdańsk (Institute of Oceanography), the Pomeranian Academy in Słupsk (Institute of Physics) and the University of Szczecin (Institute of Marine Sciences). The project is aiming to prepare a technical infrastructure and set in motion operational procedures for the satellite monitoring of the Baltic Sea ecosystem. The main sources of input data for this system will be the results of systematic observations by metrological and environmental satellites such as TIROS N/NOAA, MSG (currently Meteosat 10), EOS/AQUA and Sentinel -1, 2, 3 (in the future). The system will deliver on a routine basis the variety of structural and functional properties of this sea, based on data provided by relevant satellites and supported by hydro-biological models. Among them: the solar radiation influx to the sea’s waters in various spectral intervals, energy balances of the short- and long-wave radiation at the Baltic Sea surface and in the upper layers of the atmosphere over the Baltic, sea surface temperature distribution, dynamic states of the water surface, concentrations of chlorophyll a and other phytoplankton pigments in the Baltic waters, spatial distributions of algal blooms, the occurrence of coastal upwelling events, and the characteristics of primary production of organic matter and photosynthetically released oxygen in the water and many others. The structure of the system and preliminary results will be presented.

11

Influence of underwater light fields on pigment characteristics in the Baltic Sea – results of statistical analysis

71%

Ston-Egiert J. , Majchrowski R. , Darecki M. , Kosakowska A. , Ostrowska M.

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nr 1

12

Practical applicability and preliminary results of the Baltic environmental satellite remote sensing system (SatBaltyk)

71%

Ostrowska M. , Darecki M. , Krezel A. , Ficek D. , Furmanczyk K.

|

nr 3

EN

The SatBałtyk (Satellite Monitoring of the Baltic Sea Environment) project is being realized in Poland by the SatBałtyk Scientific Consortium, specifically appointed for this purpose, which associates four scientific institutions: the Institute of Oceanology PAN in Sopot – coordinator of the project, the University of Gdańsk (Institute of Oceanography), the Pomeranian Academy in Słupsk (Institute of Physics) and the University of Szczecin (Institute of Marine Sciences). The project is aiming to prepare a technical infrastructure and set in motion operational procedures for the satellite monitoring of the Baltic Sea ecosystem. The main sources of input data for this system will be the results of systematic observations by metrological and environmental satellites such as TIROS N/NOAA, MSG (currently Meteosat 10), EOS/AQUA and Sentinel -1, 2, 3 (in the future). The system will deliver on a routine basis the variety of structural and functional properties of this sea, based on data provided by relevant satellites and supported by hydro-biological models. Among them: the solar radiation influx to the sea’s waters in various spectral intervals, energy balances of the short- and long-wave radiation at the Baltic Sea surface and in the upper layers of the atmosphere over the Baltic, sea surface temperature distribution, dynamic states of the water surface, concentrations of chlorophyll a and other phytoplankton pigments in the Baltic waters, spatial distributions of algal blooms, the occurrence of coastal upwelling events, and the characteristics of primary production of organic matter and photosynthetically released oxygen in the water and many others. The structure of the system and preliminary results will be presented

13

The use of satellite data in the operational 3D Coupled Ecosystem Model of the Baltic Sea (3D CEMBS)

71%

Nowicki A. , Janecki M. , Darecki M. , Piotrowski P. , Dzierzbicka-Glowacka L.

|

nr 1

EN

The objective of this paper is to present an automatic monitoring system for the 3D CEMBS model in the operational version. This predictive, eco hydrodynamic model is used as a tool to control the conditions and bio productivity of the Baltic sea environment and to forecast physical and ecological changes in the studied basin. Satellite-measured data assimilation is used to constrain the model and achieve higher accuracy of its results. 3D CEMBS is a version of the Community Earth System Model, adapted for the Baltic Sea. It consists of coupled ocean and ice models, working in active mode together with the ecosystem module. Atmospheric forecast from the UM model (Interdisciplinary Centre for Mathematical and Computational Modelling of the Warsaw University) are used as a forcing fields feed through atmospheric data model. In addition, river inflow of freshwater and nutrient deposition from 71 main rivers is processed by land model. At present, satellite data from AQUA MODIS, processed by the SatBałtyk project Operational System are used for the assimilation of sea surface temperature and chlorophyll a concentration. In the operational mode, 48-hour forecasts are produced at six-hour intervals, providing a wide range of hydrodynamic and biochemical parameters

14

The use of satellite data in the operational 3D coupled ecosystem model of the Baltic Sea (3D CEMBS)

71%

Nowicki A. , Janecki M. , Darecki M. , Piotrowski P. , Dzierzbicka-Głowacka L.

|

2016

|

tom nr 1

20--24

EN

The objective of this paper is to present an automatic monitoring system for the 3D CEMBS model in the operational version. This predictive, eco hydrodynamic model is used as a tool to control the conditions and bio productivity of the Baltic sea environment and to forecast physical and ecological changes in the studied basin. Satellite-measured data assimilation is used to constrain the model and achieve higher accuracy of its results. 3D CEMBS is a version of the Community Earth System Model, adapted for the Baltic Sea. It consists of coupled ocean and ice models, working in active mode together with the ecosystem module. Atmospheric forecast from the UM model (Interdisciplinary Centre for Mathematical and Computational Modelling of the Warsaw University) are used as a forcing fields feed through atmospheric data model. In addition, river inflow of freshwater and nutrient deposition from 71 main rivers is processed by land model. At present, satellite data from AQUA MODIS, processed by the SatBałtyk project Operational System are used for the assimilation of sea surface temperature and chlorophyll a concentration. In the operational mode, 48-hour forecasts are produced at six-hour intervals, providing a wide range of hydrodynamic and biochemical parameters.

15

Seasonal changes in selected optical parameters in the Pomeranian Bay in 1996-1997

71%

Kowalczuk P. , Sagan S. , Olszewski J. , Darecki M. , Hapter R.

Oceanologia

|

1999

|

tom No. 41 (3)

309-334

EN

The main task of the Joint Polish-German Pomeranian Bay Project was to achieve a better understanding of the impact of freshwater discharge on this environment. The freshwater from the River Odra enters the Pomeranian Bay through four outlets. The most important of these is the River Swina, as it carries the largest volume of water exchange between the bay and the Szczecin Lagoon. This freshwater carries a large load of optically active substances: dissolved organic materials, mineral and organic sediments, as well as nutrients, which boost phytoplankton growth. The effect of riverine discharge can be traced with the use of optical methods. The elevated level of optically active components can significantly reduce the light required for photosynthesis. The Institute of Oceanology carried out a survey of selected inherent and apparent optical properties in the Pomeranian Bay in three seasons in 1996 and 1997. The results are presented and discussed, as are the relations between the various optical parameters and salinity.

16

Algorithms for the remote sensing of the Baltic ecosystem (DESAMBEM). Part 2: Empirical validation

51%

Darecki M. , Ficek D. , Krezel A. , Ostrowska M. , Majchrowski R. , Wozniak S. B. , Bradtke K. , Dera J. , Wozniak B.

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nr 4

509-538

EN

This paper is the second of two articles on the methodology of the remote sensing of the Baltic ecosystem. In Part 1 the authors presented the set of DESAMBEM algorithms for determining the major parameters of this ecosystem on the basis of satellite data (see Woźniak et al. 2008 – this issue). That article discussed in detail the mathematical apparatus of the algorithms. Part 2 presents the effects of the practical application of the algorithms and their validation, the latter based on satellite maps of selected Baltic ecosystem parameters: the distributions of the sea surface temperature (SST), the Photosynthetically Available Radiation (PAR) at the sea surface, the surface concentrations of chlorophyll a and the total primary production of organic matter. Particular emphasis was laid on analysing the precision of estimates of these and other parameters of the Baltic ecosystem, determined by remote sensing methods. The errors in these estimates turned out to be relatively small; hence, the set of DESAMBEM algorithms should in the future be utilised as the foundation for the effective satellite monitoring of the state and functioning of the Baltic ecosystem.

17

Algorithm for the remote sensing of the Baltic ecosystem (DESAMBEM). Part 1: Mathematical apparatus

51%

Wozniak B. , Krezel A. , Darecki M. , Wozniak S. B. , Majchrowski R. , Ostrowska M. , Kozlowski L. , Ficek D. , Olszewski J. , Dera J.

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nr 4

451-508

EN

This article is the first of two papers on the remote sensing methods of monitoring the Baltic ecosystem, developed by our team. Earlier, we had produced a series of detailed mathematical models and statistical regularities describing the transport of solar radiation in the atmosphere-sea system, the absorption of this radiation in the water and its utilisation in a variety of processes, most importantly in the photosynthesis occurring in phytoplankton cells, as a source of energy for the functioning of marine ecosystems. The comprehensive DESAMBEM algorithm, presented in this paper, is a synthesis of these models and regularities. This algorithm enables the abiotic properties of the environment as well as the state and the functioning of the Baltic ecosystem to be assessed on the basis of available satellite data. It can be used to determine a good number of these properties: the sea surface temperature, the natural irradiance of the sea surface, the spectral and spatial distributions of solar radiation energy in the water, the surface concentrations and vertical distributions of chlorophyll a and other phytoplankton pigments in this sea, the radiation energy absorbed by phytoplankton, the quantum efficiency of photosynthesis and the primary production of organic matter. On the basis of these directly determined properties, other characteristics of processes taking place in the Baltic ecosystem can be estimated indirectly. Part 1 of this series of articles deals with the detailed mathematical apparatus of the DESAMBEM algorithm. Part 2 will discuss its practical applicability in the satellite monitoring of the sea and will provide an assessment of the accuracy of such remote sensing methods in the monitoring of the Baltic ecosystem (see Darecki et al. 2008 – this issue).

18

SatBałtyk - A Baltic environmental satellite remote sensing system - an ongoing project in Poland. Part 2: Practical applicability and preliminary results

41%

Woźniak B. , Bradtke K. , Darecki M. , Dera J. , Dudzińska-Nowak J. , Dzierzbicka-Głowacka L. , Ficek D. , Furmańczyk K. , Kowalewski M. , Krężel A. , Majchrowski R. , Ostrowska M. , Paszkuta M. , Stoń-Egiert J. , Stramska M. , Zapadka T.

Oceanologia

|

2011

|

tom No. 53 (4)

925-956

19

SatBałtyk - A Baltic environmental satellite remote sensing system - an ongoing project in Poland. Part 1: Assumptions, scope and operating range

41%

Woźniak B. , Bradtke K. , Darecki M. , Dera J. , Dudzińska-Nowak J. , Dzierzbicka-Głowacka L. , Ficek D. , Furmańczyk K. , Kowalewski M. , Krężel A. , Majchrowski R. , Ostrowska M. , Paszkuta M. , Stoń-Egiert J. , Stramska M. , Zapadka T.

Oceanologia

|

2011

|

tom No. 53 (4)

897-924

EN

This article is the first of two papers on the remote sensing methods of monitoring the Baltic ecosystem, developed by a Polish team. The main aim of the five-year SatBałtyk (2010-2014) research project (Satellite Monitoring of the Baltic Sea Environment) is to prepare the technical infrastructure and set in motion operational procedures for the satellite monitoring of the Baltic environment. This system is to characterize on a routine basis the structural and functional properties of this sea on the basis of data supplied by the relevant satellites. The characterization and large-scale dissemination of the following properties of the Baltic is anticipated: the solar radiation influx to the sea's waters in various spectral intervals, energy balances of the short- and long-wave radiation at the Baltic Sea surface and in the upper layers of the atmosphere over the Baltic, sea surface temperature distribution, dynamic states of the water surface, concentrations of chlorophyll a and other phytoplankton pigments in the Baltic water, distributions of algal blooms, the occurrence of upwelling events, and the characteristics of primary organic matter production and photosynthetically released oxygen in the water. It is also intended to develop and, where feasible, to implement satellite techniques for detecting slicks of petroleum derivatives and other compounds, evaluating the state of the sea's ice cover, and forecasting the hazards from current and future storms and providing evidence of their effects in the Baltic coastal zone. The ultimate objective of the project is to implement an operational system for the routine determination and dissemination on the Internet of the above-mentioned features of the Baltic in the form of distribution maps as well as plots, tables and descriptions characterizing the state of the various elements of the Baltic environment. The main sources of input data for this system will be the results of systematic recording by environmental satellites and also special-purpose ones such as TIROS N/NOAA, MSG (currently Meteosat 9), EOS/AQUA and ENVISAT. The final effects of the SatBałtyk project are to be achieved by the end of 2014, i.e. during a period of 60 months. These two papers present the results obtained during the first 15 months of the project. Part 1 of this series of articles contains the assumptions, objectives and a description of the most important stages in the history of our research, which constitute the foundation of the current project. It also discusses the way in which SatBałtyk functions and the scheme of its overall operations system. The second article (Part 2), will discuss some aspects of its practical applicability in the satellite monitoring of the Baltic ecosystem (see Woźniak et al. (2011) in this issue).

20

SatBałtyk – A Baltic environmental satellite remote sensing system – an ongoing project in Poland. Part 1: Assumptions, scope and operating range

41%

Wozniak B. , Bradtke K. , Darecki M. , Dera J. , Dudzinska-Nowak J. , Dzierzbicka-Glowacka L. , Ficek D. , Furmanczyk K. , Kowalewski M. , Krezel A. , Majchrowski R. , Ostrowska M. , Paszkuta M. , Ston-Egiert J. , Stramska M. , Zapadka T.

|

nr 4

EN

This article is the first of two papers on the remote sensing methods of monitoring the Baltic ecosystem, developed by a Polish team. The main aim of the five- year SatBałtyk (2010–2014) research project (Satellite Monitoring of the Baltic Sea Environment) is to prepare the technical infrastructure and set in motion operational procedures for the satellite monitoring of the Baltic environment. This system is to characterize on a routine basis the structural and functional properties of this sea on the basis of data supplied by the relevant satellites. The characterization and large-scale dissemination of the following properties of the Baltic is anticipated: the solar radiation influx to the sea’s waters in various spectral intervals, energy balances of the short- and long-wave radiation at the Baltic Sea surface and in the upper layers of the atmosphere over the Baltic, sea surface temperature distribution, dynamic states of the water surface, concentrations of chlorophyll a and other phytoplankton pigments in the Baltic water, distributions of algal blooms, the occurrence of upwelling events, and the characteristics of primary organic matter production and photosynthetically released oxygen in the water. It is also intended to develop and, where feasible, to implement satellite techniques for detecting slicks of petroleum derivatives and other compounds, evaluating the state of the sea’s ice cover, and forecasting the hazards from current and future storms and providing evidence of their effects in the Baltic coastal zone. The ultimate objective of the project is to implement an operational system for the routine determination and dissemination on the Internet of the above-mentioned features of the Baltic in the form of distribution maps as well as plots, tables and descriptions characterizing the state of the various elements of the Baltic environment. The main sources of input data for this system will be the results of systematic recording by environmental satellites and also special-purpose ones such as TIROS N/NOAA, MSG (currently Meteosat 9), EOS/AQUA and ENVISAT. The final effects of the SatBałtyk project are to be achieved by the end of 2014, i.e. during a period of 60 months. These two papers present the results obtained during the first 15 months of the project. Part 1 of this series of articles contains the assumptions, objectives and a description of the most important stages in the history of our research, which constitute the foundation of the current project. It also discusses the way in which SatBałtyk functions and the scheme of its overall operations system. The second article (Part 2), will discuss some aspects of its practical applicability in the satellite monitoring of the Baltic ecosystem (see Woźniak et al. (2011) in this issue).