RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 209 www.PosterPresentations.com Panama is known for its remarkable ”four distinct oceans”, driven by seasonal and stationary changes in physical and chemical conditions in the Caribbean side, the Gulf of Chiriqui, and the Gulf of Panama by the dynamic position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) each year (Fig. 1). In this case, the Gulf of Panama, is part of a climate zone known as the Panama Bight, influenced by the propagation of the ITCZ due to the Bermuda high. During its southernmost position at 1°N, from December to April, the north trade winds from the Bermuda high, pass through the lower elevations of the isthmus, inducing a sea level drop by a subtle divergence of waters to the west. This process triggers the Coriolis effect, leading to the upwelling of deep-sea waters, resulting in a drop in sea surface temperatures (14° to 22° Celsius), increased salinity (SSS), a surge in photosynthetic organisms and nutrient-rich waters (nitrates and phosphates), and various other factors that support a commercially valuable fisheries industry on a large scale (Graph 1). This event concludes between May and October, coinciding with the boreal summer, when the ITCZ migrates to its northernmost position where the Choco surface jet winds dominate the area, rotating towards the northeast due to the Coriolis effect, halting the upwelling effect, letting water get to its average temperature (28° to 31° Celsius) while introducing substantial moisture inland and simultaneously, the SSS decreases due to an influx of freshwater, and the temperature rises (Graph 2). INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVES METHODOLOGY The Physical Monitoring Program (PMP) of STRI has established seven strategic sites along the Gulf of Panama (Fig. 2), an ongoing venture since 2017. These sites are dedicated to collecting data regarding the water column, tracking temperature variations, and more parameters. We cross-verify our on-site measurements with remote sensing data obtained from satellites, enabling detailed comparisons between upwelling and non-upwelling events. Our sites span a range of locations within the Bay of Panama, from Taboga Island close to the City of Panama, out to the Las Perlas archipelago. Each site is characterized by its maximum depth and distance from the possible anthropogenic effects of Panama City and Panama Canal Shipping: sites 1 and 2 (20 and 35 meters) are positioned farthest from the coast, and sites 3, 4, and 5 are located in the deepest waters (40 to 60 meters) between the coast and the Las Perlas Islands, sites 6 and 7 (25 to 27 meters) are located closest to the coast and Panama City. Sites 1 and 2 are the most productive and biodiverse of the seven sites—sites 6 and 7 are likely to be the most affected by Panama City and ocean-going traffic. Sampling was carried out using EXO 2 and 3 (Fig. 3) multiparametric sondes (Xylem YSI). Sondes were equipped with pH, temperature, DO, Chlorophyll, turbidity, and conductivity sensors) programmed to record every second as they were allowed to descend through the water column (pausing 15-30 seconds every meter) until they reached the bottom (Fig 4). At the end of every sampling trip, data were retrieved, transferred to an Excel file where they were examined for any anomalies, and then transferred to final storage. An Excel file is used to analyze and visualize trends and summary statistics related to depth, site, and date. In conjunction with our on-site measurements, we use Remote Sensing Systems, specifically the NOAA Daily Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (OISST) Satellite, providing extensive data on Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomalies dating back to 1981. We set the data ranging from a 7-day compilation of anomalies. We integrate data from the Copernicus Marine Service, featuring the Global Ocean Hourly Sea Surface Wind and Stress from Scatterometer and Model satellite data, offering wind variables, divergence, and curl (Fig. 5). 1