Model-Observations Synergy in the Coastal Ocean

Abstract

Integration of observations of the coastal ocean continuum, from regional oceans to shelf seas and estuaries/deltas with models, can substantially increase the value of observations and enable a wealth of applications. In particular, models can play a critical role at connecting sparse observations, synthesizing them, and assisting the design of observational networks; in turn, whenever available, observations can guide coastal model development. Coastal observations should sample the two-way interactions between nearshore, estuarine and shelf processes and open ocean processes, while accounting for the different pace of circulation drivers, such as the fast atmospheric, hydrological and tidal processes and the slower general ocean circulation and climate scales. Because of these challenges, high-resolution models can serve as connectors and integrators of coastal continuum observations. Data assimilation approaches can provide quantitative, validated estimates of Essential Ocean Variables in the coastal continuum, adding scientific and socioeconomic value to observations through applications (e.g., sea-level rise monitoring, coastal management under a sustainable ecosystem approach, aquaculture, dredging, transport and fate of pollutants, maritime safety, hazards under natural variability or climate change). We strongly recommend an internationally coordinated approach in support of the proper integration of global and coastal continuum scales, as well as for critical tasks such as community-agreed bathymetry and coastline products.

Evaluating High-Frequency radar data assimilation impact in coastal ocean operational modelling

“…In this work, we have integrated different multivariate ocean observations with numerical modelling to improve the dynamical knowledge of ocean currents in line with the actual concerns in operational oceanography (De Mey-Frémaux et al, 2019;Kourafalou et al, 2015a, b;Schiller et al, 2015). We combined high-resolution modelling with satellite and in-situ observing sources and HFR surface currents measurements to discuss the contribution that the developing HFR networks (Roarty et al, 2019;Rubio et al, 2017) could provide to regional and coastal operational modelling.…”

Evaluation of the Operational CMEMS and Coastal Downstream Ocean Forecasting Services During the Storm Gloria (January 2020)

“…Because these activities are affected by met-ocean conditions, and especially by extreme events, their development demands accurate and customized real-time and forecast information on the environmental conditions. Thus, many of the existing operational oceanographic service focuses on regional coastal waters, in which most of the sea-related human activities take place (e.g., ports, fishing, recreational use) and most marine sensitive habitats exist (De Mey-Frémaux et al, 2019).…”

Modeling Transit Flow Through Port Gates and Connecting Channel in Baltic Sea—Liepaja Port—Liepaja Lake System

“…Coastal studies nowadays become increasingly attractive as the sea interaction with the coast is the most important aspect of the marine studies with respect to a socially economic needs (Benveniste et al, 2019). Model data accompanied with observations is the primary way to understand processes at the river estuaries and ports (Mey-Frémaux et al, 2019;Sotillo et al, 2020). However, the existing operational oceanographic models usually are not designed for the coastal scales, such as ports and related inland waters.…”