Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System Ann E. Jochens Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System Regional Association

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 System Two 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 

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: 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 economyProtect 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 Oceanography Sustained, 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 Variables Acidity (pH)* Bathymetry Bottom character Colored dissolved organic matter* Salinity Contaminants Dissolved nutrients Dissolved oxygen Fish abundance Fish species Heat flux Ice distribution Ocean color Optical properties Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2)* Pathogens Phytoplankton species Sea level Stream flow* Surface currents Surface waves Temperature Total suspended matter* Wind speed and direction* Zooplankton abundance Zooplankton 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 build RCOOSs 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 Systems Focused on the EEZ, Great Lakes & Estuaries 11 RAs Have Been Funded To Initiate this Process

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

GCOOS Domain Source: USGS

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 TCOON 1992 TCOON 1992 TABS 1995 TABS 1995 WAVCIS 1999 WAVCIS 1999 LUMCON 1999 LUMCON 1999 DISL 2003 DISL 2003 USM 2004 USM 2004 MOTE 2004 MOTE 2004 COMPS 1996 COMPS 1996 Oil & Gas IMaRS 1993 IMaRS 1993 LSU/ESL 1988 LSU/ESL 1988

NDBC MODEM Kit (Meteorological and Oceanographic Data Exchange Module) Public NCEP NODC NCDC Global Telecommunications Service Global Telecommunications Service NWS GATEWAY NWS GATEWAY Wx. Channel Local Media Wx. Channel Local Media NWS Forecast Offices NWS Forecast Offices Observers Web-Page Observers Web-Page Regional Observatories ftp NDBC QA/QC NDBC Web-Page Dial-A-Buoy OPeNDAP Sensor / Observation

Data and Products Portal

GCOOS Data Providers

Where We Are Going Fully Developed GCOOS for Our Nation’s Future Observing 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

Data Operational 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, gcoos.org