Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System

Ann E. Jochens

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System Regional Association

http://gcoos.org

ajochens@tamu.edu

Topics

1. Global Ocean Observing System

(GOOS)

2. Integrated Ocean Observing System

(IOOS)

3. Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean

Observing System (GCOOS)

GOOS

Photo Credit: Gulf of Mexico Sperm Whale Seismic Study Project, U.S. Minerals Management Service, 2002

Global Ocean Observing SystemTwo Interdependent Modules

Global Ocean Coastal

Global Module

Planning began in late 1980’s Implementation plan completed in

late 1990’s Implementation underway

Coastal Module

Planning began in late 1990’s

Implementation strategy approved in 2004

www.ioc-goos.org/

Ecosystem-Based, Adaptive Management

• Routine & Rapid Detection of changes

over a broad spectrum of time-space scales

• Timely Predictions of such changes

Detect and Predict Change in the State of the Ocean

Source: http://www.ioc-goos.org/documents/GOOS_125_COOP_Plan_en.pdf

WE DO NOT HAVE THIS CAPABILITY TODAY

Global Ocean Component – In Situ Observations

Coastal Module: Conceptual Basis Physical processes

Fundamentally important to most phenomena of interest

Forcing & phenomena of interest

Related through a hierarchy of interactions that can be modeled

Common requirements

Variables to be measured, managed & analyzed

U.S. IOOS

Photo Credit: Gulf of Mexico Sperm Whale Seismic Study Project, U.S. Minerals Management Service, 2002

U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)

Improve safety

A tool that will enable the Nation to track, predict, manage and adapt to changes in our marine environment and deliver critical information to decision makers

to…

Enhance our economy Protect our environment

• Open Ocean Module

Improve predictions of climate change

Improve safety & efficiency of marine operations

Improve predictions of natural hazards

• Coastal Module

Reduce public health risks

Protect & restore healthy marine ecosystems more effectively

Sustain & restore living marine resources

Integrated Approach to Achieving Societal Goals

One System, Six Goals

Operational OceanographySustained, Routine, User-Driven, End-to-End,

Multi Disciplinary, Multi Purpose Users = Groups that use, depend on, are responsible for, or study

the marine environment & its resources

Analysis, Modelling

Data Communications & Management

Observations, Monitoring

Products, Decision Support Tools

U.S. IOOS Core VariablesAcidity (pH)*BathymetryBottom characterColored dissolved organic matter*SalinityContaminantsDissolved nutrientsDissolved oxygenFish abundanceFish speciesHeat fluxIce distributionOcean color

Optical propertiesPartial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2)*PathogensPhytoplankton speciesSea levelStream flow*Surface currentsSurface wavesTemperatureTotal suspended matter*Wind speed and direction*Zooplankton abundanceZooplankton species

The Components of IOOS

3 Subsystems– Observations

– Data Management & Communications

– Modeling & Assessment

3 Cross Cuts– Research and

Development– Outreach/Education– RA Governance and

management

Establish Regional Associations to buildRCOOSs by

Engaging user groups from private & public sectors in their regions

Implementing national standards & protocols

Informing Federal Agencies of user needs

Enhancing the backbone based on user needs

• Incorporate existing sub–regional observing systems• Increase resolution of the NB• Increase # of variables measured

Develop Regional Coastal Ocean Observing SystemsFocused on the EEZ, Great Lakes & Estuaries

11 RAs Have Been FundedTo Initiate this Process

GCOOS

Photo Credits: Gulf of Mexico Sperm Whale Seismic

Study Project, U.S. Minerals Management Service,

2002-2007

GCOOS Domain

Source: USGShttp://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/gazette/html/regions/gm.html

What We Have Done So Far

• Stakeholder Priorities• Voluntary Data Providers – Integration

Begins• Data Portal & Products• Education and Outreach Community

• Accurate bathymetry and topography• Improved coverage of real-time currents• Improved real-time, offshore meteorological measurements• Improved forecasts & nowcasts of sea level, winds, waves• Improve monitoring, forecasts and dissemination of hurricane

and wave severity• Enhanced water quality measurements• Coastal storm surge/inundation maps for mitigation planning• Improve real-time forecasts of coastal inundation • Increased Harmful Algal Bloom monitoring stations• Improve dissemination of information to diverse groups

Stakeholder Requirements

GCOOS Integrates Information

TCOON1992TCOON1992

TABS1995TABS1995

WAVCIS1999WAVCIS1999

LUMCON1999LUMCON1999

DISL2003DISL2003

USM2004USM2004

MOTE2004MOTE2004

COMPS1996COMPS1996

Oil & GasOil & Gas20052005Oil & GasOil & Gas20052005

IMaRS1993IMaRS1993

LSU/ESL1988LSU/ESL1988

NDBC MODEM Kit(Meteorological and Oceanographic Data Exchange Module)

PublicPublic

NCEPNCEPNODCNODC NCDCNCDC

GlobalTelecommunications

Service

GlobalTelecommunications

Service

NWSGATEWAY

NWSGATEWAY Wx. Channel

Local MediaWx. ChannelLocal Media

NWSForecastOffices

NWSForecastOffices

Observers Web-PageObservers Web-Page

Regional Observatories

ftpftp

NDBC

QA/QC

NDBCWeb-Page

Dial-A-Buoy

OPeNDAP

Sensor / Observation

Sensor / Observation

Data and Products Portal

GCOOS Data Providers

Where We Are GoingFully Developed GCOOS for Our

Nation’s FutureObserving Networks

Modeling and Analysis

DMAC

Rivers to the Whole Gulf• Shallow Waters = Estuaries,

Bays, GOMA Coastal Waters– SW FL Water Quality Integration

Pilot Project – GCOOS-GOMA WQ PIT – SCCF

• Integration with SECOORA

• Integration with Mexico

Outreach

DataOperational Oceanography

Data Delivered in Near Real Time

Research ≠ Operational Oceanography

Sustained Operational Oceanography

Long-term Time Series of Data

Integration of time series

Coordinated in space and time

26

GCOOS: It’s a Whale of a Tale!

Photo Credit: Gulf of Mexico Sperm Whale Seismic Study Project, U.S. Minerals Management Service, 2002-2007

gcoos.org