Integrated Ocean Observing System Research Articles

A brief personal introduction to the history and status of the ocean observing system and acoustical measurements.

Integrated ocean observing systems (IOOSs) originated during the early 1990s as a way to provide valuable information to society as return on decades of investment in oceanographic research. The archetypical Argo program (www.argo.ucsd.edu) was initiated following the landmark OceanObs’99 conference and reassessed during OceanObs’09. With the possibility of significant sustained funding for comprehensive oceanic observations, one hallmark of planning conferences has been their political overtones. Regional ocean observing systems (www.ioos.gov, www.usnfra.org, and www.nanoos.org), purposely distinct from NOAA, began to develop in the early 2000s. The OOSes are not research programs, but sustained monitoring and information‐providing services. The ocean observing initiative (OOI) developed out of the deep earth observing system (DEOS) idea of the early 2000s to deploy platforms over the world’s oceans for geophysical research. With the advent of significant funding for such platforms, the geophysical thrust was thrust aside in favor of two components: the undersea cabled networks and a small set of “Pioneer” platforms for oceanographic research. There has been little representation of acoustical techniques in these programs. Successful implementation of acoustical components for the IOOS requires the sustained cooperation and encouragement of three factions: the oceanographic community, the national and state funding agencies, and the acoustics community.

Interdisciplinary Ocean Observing on the Texas Coast

AbstractThe Integrated Ocean Observing System® is necessary to oceanography and vital for understanding spatial and temporal scales of important environmental and climate processes. However, many state-of-the-art ocean observing system (OOS) technologies are operationally constrained in shallow coastal waters. Texas A&M University (TAMU) researchers are overcoming the constraint by combining traditional platforms with modern shipboard OOS. Shipboard observations provide the spatial context and are complemented by moored observations providing the temporal context of spatial observations. In the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM), OOS provide researchers with large, continuous spatial and temporal data sets to investigate naturally occurring environmental events. The summer of 2010 has been a unique season for researchers in the GOM with the British Petroleum oil spill off the Louisiana coast and the shift of seasonal wind and precipitation events along the western GOM coastline impacting the formation and sustainability of a common hazard on the Texas‐Louisiana shelf—hypoxia. Such events have and are currently emphasizing an environmental revitalization of coastal GOM OOS to better monitor and predict unexpected events directly impacting coastal waters. This manuscript describes TAMU’s existing interdisciplinary operating OOS and supplemental instrumentation added to address spatial and temporal scales of northern GOM coastal hazards. Details also will be included in TAMU’s future directions as an OOS leader on the Texas shelf and in how OOS plays vital role in community education and awareness of the coastal oceans.

The Global Ocean Observing Component of IOOS: Implementation of the Initial Global Ocean Observing System for Climate and the Path Forward

AbstractThe global ocean observing system for climate, which comprises the global in situ component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System, has now achieved about 61% of its initial design goal. Although this observing system, implemented cooperatively by over 70 countries worldwide, serves multiple applications, it is designed primarily to address climate requirements defined by the international Global Climate Observing System. The U.S. contribution to the system, described here, is implemented as an interdependent set of observational subsystems that constitute about half of the over 8,000 observing platforms deployed by the world community. Although much work remains to complete the initial global observing system, scientific advances of the past decade have identified the need to deploy a second-generation system that integrates biogeochemical and ecological observations with the primarily physical and carbon-related oceanographic observations that form the backbone of the initial observing system.

A Regional Slocum Glider Network in the Mid-Atlantic Bight Leverages Broad Community Engagement

AbstractAutonomous underwater gliders have proven to be a cost-effective technology for measuring the 3-D ocean and now represent a critical component during the design and implementation of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Observing System (MARCOOS), a Region of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System. The gliders have been conducting regional surveys of the Mid-Atlantic (MA) Bight, and during the 3 years of MARCOOS, the glider fleet has conducted 22 missions spanning 10,867 km and collecting 62,824 vertical profiles of data. In addition to collecting regional data, the gliders have facilitated collaboration for partners outside of MARCOOS. The existence of the MA glider observatory provided a unique test bed for cyber-infrastructure tools being developed as part of the National Science Foundation’s Ocean Observatory Initiative. This effort allowed the Ocean Observatory Initiative software to integrate the MARCOOS assets and provided a successful demonstration of an ocean sensor net. The hands-on experience of the MA glider technicians supported training and provided assistance of collaborators within the Caribbean Regional Association, also a region of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System, to assess the efficacy of gliders to resolve internal waves. Finally, the glider fleet has enabled sensor development and testing in a cost-effective manner. Generally, new sensors were tested within the MARCOOS domain before they were deployed in more extreme locations throughout the world’s oceans. On the basis of this experience, the goal of the MARCOOS glider team will be to expand the MA network in coming years. The potential of how an expanded network of gliders might serve national needs was illustrated during the 2010 Macondo Gulf of Mexico oil spill, where gliders from many institutions collected subsurface mesoscale data to support regional models and oil response planning. The experience gained over the last 5 years suggests that it is time to develop a national glider network.

The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System in a Global Context

AbstractThe mission of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) is to deliver socioeconomic benefits through provision of readily accessible, systematic, and timely data and information about the past, present, and future state of the waters of the open ocean, the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, the U.S. coastal waters, and the Great Lakes. The safety, economic, and environmental benefits that can be derived in whole or in part from IOOS data and information are diverse. They range from maritime and coastal zone applications that are the primary mission of the U.S. IOOS endeavor to a broad range of much wider national benefits, such as the contribution of ocean data and information to improved weather prediction and climate projection. Fully realizing these benefits depends on the U.S. IOOS being connected to other domains of earth and atmospheric observation within the United States and to international frameworks and programs. This article outlines the structure and socioeconomic goals of the U.S. IOOS and explores how fulfilling the IOOS mission contributes to and depends upon connections to the Global Ocean Observing System and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems.

The Integrated Ocean Observing System High-Frequency Radar Network: Status and Local, Regional, and National Applications

AbstractA national high-frequency radar network has been created over the past 20 years or so that provides hourly 2-D ocean surface current velocity fields in near real time from a few kilometers offshore out to approximately 200 km. This preoperational network is made up of more than 100 radars from 30 different institutions. The Integrated Ocean Observing System efforts have supported the standards-based ingest and delivery of these velocity fields to a number of applications such as coastal search and rescue, oil spill response, water quality monitoring, and safe and efficient marine navigation. Thus, regardless of the operating institution or location of the radar systems, emergency response managers, and other users, can rely on a common source and means of obtaining and using the data. Details of the history, the physics, and the application of high-frequency radar are discussed with successes of the integrated network highlighted.

Integrated Ocean Observing System in Support of Forecasting Harmful Algal Blooms

AbstractHarmful algal bloom (HAB) events threaten human health, living marine resources, and ecosystem health. Their occurrence has increased in frequency, duration, and severity over the last several decades. Preventing, controlling, or mitigating the impacts of HABs requires the development of permanent, operational ocean observing systems that continuously provide the data and information necessary for rapid detection and timely forecasts of changes in ecosystem states. Key elements of such observing systems are observations and modeling that must be efficiently linked via data management and communication networks. Building the observing system begins by integrating existing assets, is followed by incorporation of new technologies and knowledge, and is guided by the data and information needs of decision makers. User needs are particularly important for development of operational forecast models and new sensors for measuring required biological (e.g., HAB species abundance) and chemical (e.g., concentrations of HAB toxins) variables in near real time. This article describes operational observing system requirements for a HAB forecasting system and current efforts by Regional Associations to develop these observing systems for targeted species in their respective regions.

Operation and Application of a Regional High-Frequency Radar Network in the Mid-Atlantic Bight

AbstractThe Mid-Atlantic Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System (MARCOOS) High-Frequency Radar Network, which comprises 13 long-range sites, 2 medium-range sites, and 12 standard-range sites, is operated as part of the Integrated Ocean Observing System. This regional implementation of the network has been operational for 2 years and has matured to the point where the radars provide consistent coverage from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras. A concerted effort was made in the MARCOOS project to increase the resiliency of the radar stations from the elements, power issues, and other issues that can disable the hardware of the system. The quality control and assurance activities in the Mid-Atlantic Bight have been guided by the needs of the Coast Guard Search and Rescue Office. As of May 4, 2009, these quality-controlled MARCOOS High-Frequency Radar totals are being served through the Coast Guard’s Environmental Data Server to the Coast Guard Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System. In addition to the service to U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Operations, these data support water quality, physical oceanographic, and fisheries research throughout the Mid-Atlantic Bight.

Biophysical ocean observation in the southeastern Bering Sea

Integrated ocean observation, from physical and atmospheric forcing mechanisms to the distribution and abundance of top‐level predators, is critical to the investigation of marine ecosystems and the impact of climate change on them. We integrated data from a biophysical mooring in the southeast Bering Sea to create a one‐year snapshot of ocean dynamics in this remote large marine ecosystem. Distinct patterns in production (chlorophyll), zooplankton biovolume (copepods and euphausiids) and the occurrence of zooplankton predators (fin and right whales) were defined and related to discrete features in the annual physical cycle. Peaks in prey and predator cycles were linked to spikes in fluorescence that occurred at the onset of water column stratification in late spring 2006 and the appearance of sea ice in late winter 2007. These data illustrate the capability and potential of integrated ocean observing systems (IOOS) to describe seasonal variability and linkages in a remote marine ecosystem.

Implementing the National Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®)—From the Federal Agency Perspective

AbstractThe national Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) is responsible for coordinating a network of people, resources, and technology to disseminate continuous data, information, models, products, and services made throughout our coastal waters, Great Lakes, and the oceans. There are many components of the IOOS—including government, academic, and private entities. This article will focus on some of the federal contributions to IOOS and describe the capabilities of several agency partners.

World Ocean Database

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) World Ocean Database 2009, released in November as an update to the 2005 version, provides about 9.1 million temperature profiles and 3.5 million salinity reports, with some information dating as far back as 1800. The updated database includes scientific information about the oceans that can be sorted in various ways, including geographically or by year.“There is now more data about the global oceans than ever before,” according to Sydney Levitus, director of the World Data Center for Oceanography, part of NOAA's National Oceanographic Data Center. “Previous databases have shown the world ocean has warmed during the last 53 years, and it's crucial we have reliable, accurate monitoring of our oceans into the future,” he said. The database is a part of the Integrated Ocean Observing System and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems.

Changing the tide of forecasts

This article presents a general discussion on the forecasting capabilities provided by the Integrated Ocean Observing System and its applications to oceanographic science and data collection.

Optimizing fixed observational assets in a coastal observatory

Proliferation of coastal observatories necessitates an objective approach to managing of observational assets. In this article, we used our experience in the coastal observatory for the Columbia River estuary and plume to identify and address common problems in managing of fixed observational assets, such as salinity, temperature, and water level sensors attached to pilings and moorings. Specifically, we addressed the following problems: assessing the quality of an existing array, adding stations to an existing array, removing stations from an existing array, validating an array design, and targeting of an array toward data assimilation or monitoring. Our analysis was based on a combination of methods from oceanographic and statistical literature, mainly on the statistical machinery of the best linear unbiased estimator. The key information required for our analysis was the covariance structure for a field of interest, which was computed from the output of assimilated and non-assimilated models of the Columbia River estuary and plume. The network optimization experiments in the Columbia River estuary and plume proved to be successful, largely withstanding the scrutiny of sensitivity and validation studies, and hence providing valuable insight into optimization and operation of the existing observational network. Our success in the Columbia River estuary and plume suggest that algorithms for optimal placement of sensors are reaching maturity and are likely to play a significant role in the design of emerging ocean observatories, such as the United State's ocean observation initiative (OOI) and integrated ocean observing system (IOOS) observatories, and smaller regional observatories.

Building on the SEACOOS Experience: Recommendations from the Final SEACOOS Workshop

The final SEACOOS workshop included discussion of several topics relevant to further development of the SE regional coastal ocean observing system (RCOOS). First, many of the Information Management (IM) tools developed in the SEACOOS program can be migrated to a future RCOOS. It is recognized that IM is evolving, and continued communication with national and regional IM efforts will be required. Of particular importance is the establishment of standards for data quality assurance/quality control. Second, serving various user needs will require development of specific products (applications). Mechanisms to better link research and development (R&D) conducted by the RCOOS to applications development are needed, and dedicated funding for both R&D and for migrating from pilot to operational applications is required. It was suggested that the regional association (RA) could play a key role in this process; interfacing with users, prioritizing potential applications in relation to RCOOS capabilities, and coordinating with federal agencies and private industry. Third, it is essential that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined for the RCOOS and for the federal agencies contributing to the "national backbone" of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). This requires agreement on a Concept of Operations (CONOPS). The CONOPS must be defined at several levels and over a time frame sufficient to accommodate the transition from research/pilot to operational stages. To help coordinate regional and federal agency efforts in coastal ocean observing in the near-term, an interim CONOPS should be defined and designs for the RCOOS should be documented and evaluated.

The Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System: Generic Lessons Learned in the First Seven Years of Operation (2001-2008)

The Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS) was established in the summer of 2001 as a prototype real-time observing system that now includes eleven solar powered buoys with physical and optical sensors, four shore-based long-range HF radar systems for surface current measurement, operational circulation and wave models, satellite observations, inshore nutrient monitoring, and hourly web delivery of data. The observing system in the Gulf of Maine (GoM) is one of the most comprehensive and operational of the Integrated Ocean Observing Systems (IOOS) systems that have been established in the United States to date. It has also been a very successful system, with data returns routinely in the 85-95% range.The Gulf of Maine is a harsh operational environment. Winter storms pose severe challenges, including high waves and the build-up of sea ice on buoy sensors, superstructure, and solar panels, and in summer its productive waters present severe biofouling problems that can affect the optical sensors. The periods of most difficult field operations often coincide with periods of greatest data value in terms of marine safety, search and rescue, and monitoring biological productivity.The challenges of the Gulf of Maine physical environment were paired with the unexpected challenges of the funding environment that have been the hallmark of the turn of this century. Funding for the system has been chronically short and subject to the unpredictable fluctuations of the congressional appropriations process. The inadequacy and variability of funding has substantially hampered the operations of many of the Integrated Ocean Observing Systems, including GoMOOS, and has hindered technological advancements and maintenance measures. As a result, the design of the GoMOOS infrastructure is little improved from that developed almost a decade ago, and it has deteriorated with age, usage, and suboptimal replacement schedules. In the absence of an adequate and reliable funding stream, the system is fast approaching the end of its expected operational lifetime. Unless this trend is reversed, the system will no longer well serve the many citizens, organizations, and agencies that have come to rely on the data it provides.In this article, we present lessons learned by the scientific and technical groups that have been responsible for the data acquisition of GoMOOS. We believe that these lessons are generic, rather than peculiar to the GoMOOS system, and that they have value for others who are embarking on similar endeavors. However, it is important to make clear that these lessons are from the perspective of the scientists, and that the views of others involved in complementary aspects of GoMOOS, including public outreach, fundraising, and providing data and products to the more general user community, are not represented here.

Florida red tide and human health: A pilot beach conditions reporting system to minimize human exposure

With over 50% of the US population living in coastal counties, the ocean and coastal environments have substantial impacts on coastal communities. While many of the impacts are positive, such as tourism and recreation opportunities, there are also negative impacts, such as exposure to harmful algal blooms (HABs) and water borne pathogens. Recent advances in environmental monitoring and weather prediction may allow us to forecast these potential adverse effects and thus mitigate the negative impact from coastal environmental threats. One example of the need to mitigate adverse environmental impacts occurs on Florida's west coast, which experiences annual blooms, or periods of exuberant growth, of the toxic dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis. K. brevis produces a suite of potent neurotoxins called brevetoxins. Wind and wave action can break up the cells, releasing toxin that can then become part of the marine aerosol or sea spray. Brevetoxins in the aerosol cause respiratory irritation in people who inhale it. In addition, asthmatics who inhale the toxins report increase upper and lower airway symptoms and experience measurable changes in pulmonary function. Real-time reporting of the presence or absence of these toxic aerosols will allow asthmatics and local coastal residents to make informed decisions about their personal exposures, thus adding to their quality of life. A system to protect public health that combines information collected by an Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) has been designed and implemented in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Florida. This system is based on real-time reports from lifeguards at the eight public beaches. The lifeguards provide periodic subjective reports of the amount of dead fish on the beach, apparent level of respiratory irritation among beach-goers, water color, wind direction, surf condition, and the beach warning flag they are flying. A key component in the design of the observing system was an easy reporting pathway for the lifeguards to minimize the amount of time away from their primary duties. Specifically, we provided a Personal Digital Assistant for each of the eight beaches. The portable unit allows the lifeguards to report from their guard tower. The data are transferred via wireless Internet to a website hosted on the Mote Marine Laboratory Sarasota Operations of the Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratories (SO COOL) server. The system has proven to be robust and well received by the public. The system has reported variability from beach to beach and has provided vital information to users to minimize their exposure to toxic marine aerosols.

Ocean Observing Systems: Science Plus Industry—A Formula for Success

In this commentary, Andrew M. Clark, Marine Technology Society fellow and past president, notes some of the incremental improvements to and maturation of ocean observing systems since technological breakthroughs were reported on in 2003. The two national ocean observing initiatives in the United States, the Integrated Ocean Observing System and the Ocean Observatories Initiative, are discussed, as well as the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor Observatories research infrastructure and the European Seas Observatory Network of Excellence. Examination is made of issues such as federal funding and support, the role of industry (including federal and industrial partnering), and symposia.

Water Level Observations for Storm Surge

Issues affecting the utility and accuracy of water level measurements for storm surge are addressed. Vertical datum control (including land elevation measurements), water level sensor survivability, and sensor placement are critical to obtaining useful information on storm surge. Hurricane Dennis in 2005 provides an example of how water level measurements are used to evaluate and improve storm surge prediction models. A water level gauge operated by the University of South Florida Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System (COMPS) was the only site to capture time history of the maximum surge that occurred in Apalachee Bay, Florida, leading to improvements in the storm surge prediction model. A more dense network of water level gauges, as a component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System, will enable a more efficient response to and mitigation of future storm surge events.

On Coastal Ocean Systems, Coupled Model Architectures, Products and Services: Morphing from Observations to Operations and Applications

The national build-up of “coastal ocean observing systems” (COOSs) to establish the coastal observing component of the national component of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) network must be well organized and must acknowledge, understand and address the needs of the principal clients, the federal, and in some cases state as well, agencies that provide financial support if it is to have substantive value. The funds being spent in support of COOS should be invested in pursuit of the establishment of the National Backbone (NB) that is needed: to greatly improve atmospheric, oceanic and coastal “weather” forecasting, broadly defined; for ecosystem management; and to document climate variability and change in coastal zones. However, this process has not occurred in a well conceived, orderly, well integrated manner due to historical and cultural bases and because of local priorities. A sub-regional effort that is designed to meet federal agency needs and mission responsibilities with an emphasis on meeting societal needs is presented by way of example to show that university and industry partners with federal agencies have an important role to play in the future of building out ocean and coastal observing and prediction systems and networks.

A New Master's Level Certificate in Ocean Observing Systems at Texas A&M University

The College of Geosciences at Texas A&M University (TAMU) introduces an exciting new Graduate Certificate in Ocean Observing Systems. The objective of this certificate program is to train a new generation of ocean professionals knowledgeable in the development, design, and implementation of real-time operational oceanographic systems. It is envisioned that the nascent U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System, IOOS, will be akin to the National Weather Service and will be designed to provide real-time oceanographic data, services, and products (http://www.ocean.us). The TAMU graduate program in Ocean Observing Systems is designed to meet the anticipated demand for specifically trained persons with technical and scientific expertise in oceanography and ocean-related technology.