The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS): A Regional Component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Alfredo E. Prelat, PAR Government Systems Corporation Worth D. Nowlin, Jr., Texas A&M University II Workshop/Symposium Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea: Toward the Integration of Research Groups Discussion Session Thursday June 29, :00-18:00 Villahermosa Tabasco, Mexico

The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (US- IOOS) consists of three parts : 1.U.S. contribution to a global component of GOOS focused on climate and maritime services; 2. National backbone of observations and products from our coastal ocean supported by federal agencies; and 3. Contributions of Regional Coastal Ocean Observing Systems. II Workshop/Symposium Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea: Toward the Integration of Research Groups Discussion Session

US-IOOS-Integrated Ocean Observing System

11 Groups Funded by NOAA Coastal Services Center to Establish Regional Associations (RAs)

Example of Existing Capabilities

Initial building blocks for the regional ocean observing system for the Gulf of Mexico. Continuing in situ observations, satellite products, models, and other data products. Supported by local, state and federal government, private industry, None Government Organizations, and academia. The information will have broader uses when they are integrated and enhanced.

Building Blocks 1 Observations: 1 - In Situ 2- Remote Sensing

1- In Situ Observations

Gulf of Mexico Observations

MMS NDBC buoy data

Houston/Galveston PORTS observation locations

2- Remote Sensing

Satellite Products

Building Blocks 2 Models and Products

Model Products

Embayments of the NE Gulf of Mexico – ADCIRC Pearl River Model Bay St. Louis Model Biloxi Bay Model Mobile Bay Model Mississippi Bight Model

Actions to date in building the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System

GCOOS is working to establish a data and information management system that is –Part of a national system; integrated with other regional coastal observing systems –Coordinated with observing system elements in Mexico and Cuba –Integrated with the global observing system module

Data Management and Communications (DMAC) Subsystem a primary integrating mechanism for IOOS

Examples DMAC Data Sources TCOON ( Texas Coastal Observation Network): water level and water quality. Near real time via internet: PORTS ( NOAA): Real time system for marine navigation. Water level, current, wind, air, barometric pressure, water conductibility and bridge clearance. Every 6 minutes by voice or internet. TABS ( Texas Automated Buoy System): surface currents to track oil spills. Available near real time LUMCON ( Louisiana University Marine Consortium Coastal Monitoring System): Temperature, barometric pressure, wind speed, solar radiation, quantum radiation and precipitation. Data available at one minute interval at LSU Earth Scan laboratory: Receive and process data from six satellites (NOAA AVHRR, GOES GVAR, Orview-2, SeaWiFS, Terra and Aqua MODIS, Oceansat OCM,and SAR). Real time measurements access

Regional Observatories Public ftp* * Via MODEM Kit - request from NDBC DODS NDBC DODS NDBC MODEM Kit (Meteorological and Oceanographic Data Exchange Module)

GCOOS Development: Identification of Stakeholder Requirements We are working to: – identify observations and products needed by users – estimate economic benefits of these needs – prioritize these needs – plan and initiate pilot projects to enable these needs to be met Mechanisms used: – Workshops & Meetings –Development of Business Plan –Development of Observing System Plan

GCOOS Workshops -Integrated Data Systems for Oceanography, 31 October-2 November 2000, Stennis Space Center, MS -NVODS Workshop for Managers of Coastal Observing Systems, January 2003, Stennis Space Center, MS -Exploration of Private Sector Interests in IOOS: Focus on GOM and Southeast U.S. 2-4 March 2004, Houston, TX -Harmful Algal Blooms: GCOOS Role in Detection, Monitoring, and Prediction April, 2004, St Petersburg, FL -GCOOS and the Private Sector: Oil and Gas and Related Industry, 2-4 November 2005, Houston, TX

ProductsLength/time scales Key Components/MeasurementsPriority Hurricane severity forecasts Accuracy of 20% CPI at 5 days Models, Upper-level circulation, BL, ocean mixed-layer temp., offshore Doppler radar H Surface current forecast maps 0-15 days, 10 km horiz. D/W, 1 km shelf Models, wind, HF radar, density profiles, SST, river inflow, air-sea flux, bathymetry, front locations, tomography H Measurement & product archive N. A.List of all ongoing measurements, periodically updated. Archive of data collected after initiation of GCOOS H Operational maps of SST Existing. Higher resolution TRMM AVHRR, GOES, TRMMH Forecast maps of 3- D deepwater currents 0-30 days 10 km horiz, 50 m vert. Models, density profiles, SSH, SST, winds, air- sea flux, ADCP, Caribbean current inflow H Forecast maps of winds and waves (& crests) 0-15 days, 10 km horiz. D/W, 2 km shelf BL, offshore surface met. (V, T, P, H) sensors, atmospheric profiles, QuikSat, TRMM, Doppler Radar, currents (for waves). Store waves at 2Hz H 3-D current forecasts on shelf 0-10 days, 1 km horiz, 2 m vert. Modeling, density profiles, SST, Winds, river inflow, air-sea flux, bathymetry (in some small areas), ADCP H- Probability maps of bottom hazards Turbidity current measurements & modeling, hydrate locations, soil type, bottom currents, high-resolution bathymetry, waves H- GCOOS and the Private Sector Workshop: Recommendations

ProductsLength/time scales Key Components/MeasurementsPriority Marine mammal & turtle maps MonthlyPhysical sightings, tagging, currents (as a proxy)M Legacy measurement & product archive N. A.Inventory and archive of QA/QC’d dataM Improved storm surge probability maps (not real-time) 0.5 km horiz. High resolution model, hi resolution bathymetry & ref. water level, wind stress, bottom roughness, atm. pressure M Severe weather monitoring Offshore Doppler radar, lightening strikesM Maps of water quality (DO, PH, etc.) DO, PH, Nutrients, Hydrocarbons, salinity, temperature, river inputs, models, currents, winds, hyperspectral (satellite) M Maps of hydrocarbon seeps L Maps of chemosynthetics & arch. sites L Maps of SSH, Color Imagery L Bathymetry, topography, soil maps L Temperature/Salinity profiles L

MeasurementRationale/CommentsResponsible Party Priority Hurricane severity model improvement Two factors control damage: severity and proximity. The latter have improved substantially but the former has not. National Hurricane Center (NHC) H Operational satellite altimeters, near real- time An essential input into most deepwater current models. Several altimeters must be kept operational indefinitely. NOAAH Operational satellite radiometers, near real- time An essential input into current models and other analysis tools. Would like to see resolution of TRMM improved. NOAAH Operational satellite wind (QuikSat), near real-time An essential input into current, wind, and wave models and other valuable analyzed products. NOAAH 2 Hz wave data, not real-time Measure for possible rogue waves during storm events NDBCH Measurements to improve hurricane severity forecasting, real-time GCOOS needs to dialogue with NHC to determine best ways to contribute, e.g. humidity sensors and/or Doppler radars installed on offshore platforms? NHC GCOOS H Offshore meteorology measurements (V, P, T, H), real-time Needed for current model, improvement in wind forecasts, etc. GCOOSH

MeasurementRationale/CommentsResponsible Party Priority Upper-column current & temperature/salinity profiles, real-time Needed for current model assimilation and validation, and to provide direct measurements. Present network is sparse in the west and east. GCOOSH 3-D Ocean current model forecasts, real- time Needed for offshore operations & environmental issues (hypoxia, oil spills, etc.) GCOOSH Marine mammals and sea turtle sightings, not real-time To avoid environmental damage due to necessary oil-related activity, i.e. seismic surveys GCOOS, MMS, NMFS, Industry H High resolution coastal bathymetry, topography, & subsidence rates Input for current and wave models and for subsidence, mud slides. Should include long term sea level measurements NOS, USGS, GCOOS H Turbidity current, not real-time Unclear how you would measure. Pilot project? MMS, GCOOSH- Water quality parameters (DO, PH, nutrients, COD, etc.) High priority in specific coastal regions & for riverine inflow. EPA, USGS, MMS, NOAA, DOA, DOE, Industry, GCOOS M-H Offshore HF radar, real-time Provide real-time surface current maps for model assimilation, Loop current tracking, oil spill tracking, etc. GCOOSM+

MeasurementRationale/CommentsResponsible Party Priority Caribbean inflow (Yucatán or Florida Straits), real-time Key input into current model. Also provides long-term record of interest to climatologist. Pilot project for tomography?? GCOOSM Identification of hydrocarbon seeps Could be derived from several different methods including targeted AUV surveys, SAR, etc? MMS, GCOOSM Identification of chemosynthetics & arch. sites MMS, GCOOSL

Pilot Projects Selected from GCOOS and the Private Sector Workshop- Houston Project to develop proven forecasts of three-dimensional surface currents for the Gulf of Mexico 2.- Development of a measurement and products archive for the deepwater Gulf of Mexico 3.- Produce maps of marine mammals and endangered turtles in the Gulf of Mexico based on legacy information from the NMFS and MMS projects and real-time observations from the oil and gas industry 4.- Produce probability maps of bottom hazards and maps of hydrocarbon seeps for the Gulf of Mexico. 5.- Improving forecasts of hurricane severity

Future Focused Stakeholder Workshops Fisheries—Commercial, recreational, and regulatory Emergency responders to storm surge and flooding Maritime transportation Recreational boating  Urban planners/developers Water quality

Example Benefits of GCOOS Economic analyses by sector Rapid response to fill gaps in data delivery Assessments of performance of GCOOS elements

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