Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS): A Component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)

1
Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System
(GCOOS) A Component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean
Observing System (IOOS)

• Worth D. Nowlin, Jr.
• Alfredo Prelat
• Texas AM University
• Par Governments
• Symposium on Coastal Ecosystems of
• the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea
• Villahermosa, Mexico
• 29 June 2006

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Outline

• The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
• The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)
• - Background
• - The Global Module
• - The Coastal Module
• The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing
  System (GCOOS)
• - Building the System
• - Integration of Existing Capabilities
• - Future development
• - Example benefits

3
Global Ocean Observing System(GOOS)
4
Global Ocean Observing System(GOOS)

• GOOS is an end-to-end system of observations,
  data management, and production and delivery of
  products/services.
• GOOS is being coordinated by United Nation
  agencies with the participation of some 100 ocean
  nations.
• Together with the World Weather Watch, Global
  Atmospheric Watch, Global Climate Observing
  System and Global Terrestrial Observing System,
  GOOS is an element of the Global Earth
  Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

5
The GOOS Modules
The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) has been
designed and is being implemented in two modules
The global module is designed to monitor,
predict, and understand marine surface conditions
and climate variability/change and The
coastal module is designed to sustain healthy
marine ecosystems, ensure human health, promote
safe and efficient marine transportation, enhance
national security, and predict and mitigate
against coastal hazards.
The U.S. contribution to GOOS is called the
Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS).
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U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)
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Background
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1998 U.S. Congress Called for anIntegrated Ocean
Observing System (IOOS)Provide Data/Info
Required for More Rapid Detection Timely
Prediction of State Changes

• Improve the safety efficiency of marine
  operations
• Improve homeland security
• Mitigate effects of natural hazards more
  effectively
• Improve predictions of climate change their
  effects
• Minimize public health risks
• Protect restore healthy ecosystems in coastal
  environments more effectively
• Sustain living marine resources

1 System, 7 Goals
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Framework for IOOS

• Ocean.US formed in 2000
• Governed by a federal Executive Committee
• Prepare maintain IOOS Development Plans
• Coordinate interagency implementation
• 2004 U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy
• Implement the IOOS
• Implement ecosystem-based management approaches
  to natural resources water quality
• Strengthen the Regional Approach
• Presidents Ocean Action Plan
• Enhance Ocean Leadership Coordination
• Establish IOOS as part of GEOSS
• Optimize Harmonize Use Conservation of Ocean,
  Coastal Great Lakes
• Manage Coasts their Watersheds
• Establish strong partnerships among stakeholders

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Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)
An EndtoEnd System that Routinely Provides Data
Information Specified by
Groups that Use, Depend on, Manage or Study
Oceans Coasts
GOOS
(1) Analysis, Modeling
End To End
(2) Data Management Communications
(3) Observing In Situ Remote Sensing
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Integrated End to End SystemRapid Access to
Diverse Data from Many Sources
Data Telemetry
Data Management Communications
Products Services
Modeling Analysis
Observations
Satellites
Maritime Navigational Services
Aircraft

• Metadata standards
• Data discovery
• Data transport
• Online browse
• Data archival

Search Rescue
Coastal Flooding Erosion
Fixed Platforms
Data Management
Beach Closures
Ships
Water Management
Drifters Floats
Nutrient Management
AUVs
Fisheries Management
11
12
Ecosystem-Based, Adaptive Management

• Rapid Repeated Detection of changes
• over a broad spectrum of time-space scales
• Timely Predictions of such changes

Tune the flow of environmental data information
to the Time scales on which decisions should be
made
WE DO NOT HAVE THIS CAPABILITY TODAY
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Why?

• Cultural divides
• Inefficient, ineffective data management
• Under sampling in time, space ecological
  complexity
• Lack of capacity for rapid data acquisition
  analysis

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U.S. IOOS Multi Scale Hierarchy of
Observations
Global Ocean Climate Component GOOS/GCOS
Coastal Ocean Component
GLs
NE
GoA
MAB
NW
Regional Observing Systems
SE
H Isl
C Cal
Go Mex
S Cal
Carrib
National Backbone
Low
Resolution
High
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The Global Module
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Global Component of the GOOSIntegrates Remote
In Situ SensingAn International Collaboration
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Broad Objectives of Ocean Component

• Monitoring and detection of climate change
• Seasonal-to-interannual climate prediction
• Marine and weather forecasts
• Short-range ocean forecasts
• Understanding decadal variations
• Support of scientific research
• Routine ocean state estimation

International coordination and oversight of the
global ocean component is by the WMO-IOC Joint
Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine
Meteorology U.S. participation is significant.
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Key Actions

• Full implementation of the surface and
  subsurface observing networks
• Designate and support national agents for
  implementation and establish research-operational
  partnerships
• Timely, free, unrestricted data exchange and
  comprehensive data management procedures
• International standards for metadata for
  essential climate variables
• Develop more cost effective two-way
  communication technologies
• Develop integrated global climate product needs

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Multi-year Phased Implementation Plan
(representative milestones)
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2006
2005
2007
2008
2009
2010
Real-time Stations Initial GCOS Subset
170
148
126
106
Tide Gauges
91
79
67
67
69
56
51
1250
1250
1250
1250
1250
1250
807
779
787
671
Number of buoys
975
Surface Drifting Buoys
119
97
115
104
Number of moorings
84
87
Tropical Moored Buoys
79
79
77
79
77
High resolution and frequently repeated lines
occupied
51
51
51
45
34
28
Ships of Opportunity
27
26
26
24
23
3000
3000
3000
3000
3000
Number of floats
20
31
544
2300
Argo Floats
1572
923
Number of observatories, flux, and ocean
transport stations
89
49
78
41
42
60
15
35
37
Reference Stations
29
54
Ice buoys, drifting and Moored stations
85
78
31
64
30
30
29
29
Arctic System
54
37
34
31
31
31
Repeat Sections Committed, One inventory per 10
years
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Ocean Carbon Network
1
0
0
27
27
24
24
830
830
730
Days at sea (NOAA contribution)
340
Dedicated Ship Time
640
531
497
497
370
497
370
9
9
9
Product evaluation and feedback loops
implemented (NOAA contribution)
9
3
8
2
System Evaluation
7
0
1
1
Initial Ocean Observing System Milestones
including international contributions
100
88
77
40
45
System Complete
30
34
66
Total System
55
53
48
2001
2002
2000
2003
2004
2006
2005
2007
2008
2009
2010
20
82 complete
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GCOS Climate Reference Tide Gauge Stations
54 complete
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The Coastal Module
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Coastal Component
National Backbone

• Federal Agencies
• Responsible
• EEZ Great Lakes
• Core variables required by
• regions Federal Agencies
• Network of sentinel
• reference stations
• Standards/Protocols

Regional COOSs

• Regional Associations
• Responsible
• Involve private public
• sectors
• Inform Federal Agencies
• of user needs
• Enhance the backbone
• based on user needs
• Incorporate subregional
• systems

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11 Groups Funded by NOAA Coastal Services Center
to Establish Regional Associations (RAs)
ACOOS
NANOOS
GLOS
NERA
CenCOOS
MACOORA
SCCOOS
SECOORA
PacIOOS
GCOOS
CaRA
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IOOS Data Management

• Data Management and Communications (DMAC)
  subsystem - a primary integrating mechanism for
  IOOS
• Framework to link diverse observing systems into
  an integrated, interoperable data-sharing network
• DMAC Plan evolving recommended data and metadata
  standards, protocols, and operating practices

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IOOS Coastal Backbone Core Variables

• Geophysical
• Sea surface meteorological variables
• LandSea Stream flows
• Sea level
• Surface waves, currents
• Ice distribution
• Temperature, Salinity
• Bathymetry
• Biophysical
• Optical properties
• Benthic habitats

• Chemical
• pCO2
• Dissolved inorganic nutrients
• Contaminants
• Dissolved oxygen
• Biological
• Fish species, abundance
• Zooplankton species, abundance
• Phytoplankton species, biomass (ocean color)
• Waterborne pathogens

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IOOS Coastal Component High Priority Research
Pilot Projects

• Surface current mapping
• Product realtime surface current maps
• HFradar, remote in situ sensing
• Data assimilationnumerical modeling
• Spacebased remote sensing
• Improve chl algorithms for ocean color
• Increase spatial, temporal, spectral resolution
• Sea surface salinity
• Aircraft remote sensing of near shore
  environments
• LIDAR
• Coupled physicalwater quality/ecosystem models
• Ecosystem Based Management
• Glider development for in situ sensors
• In situ sensors for core variables

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IOOS Summary Current Status

• 1st Annual IOOS Development Plan
• Global ocean climate component being implemented
• Initial backbone in place
• Sub regional coastal ocean observing systems
  funded
• DMAC Plan completed
• Regional groups funded to
• Form Regional Associations
• Engage User Groups Public Private Sectors
• Establish RCOOSs
• Government support
• Current Funding 125 M
• Executive order
• Legislation in Congress to Authorize Additional
  Funding

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The National Backbone of the IOOS

• What is it?
• How will it be specified?
• How will it be implemented?
• How will it be funded?

Based on a Presentation by Tom Malone, Ocean.US
Office
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What is the NB in Concept?

• Initial Observing Subsystem Infrastructure
• Measures the core variables in the nations
  Exclusive Economic Zone Great Lakes
• Transmits DMAC-compliant data to data assembly
  centers routinely reliably
• Remote sensing sea surface temperature only
• In situ sensing Sparse network of sentinel
  reference stations

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Example Programs Recommended for National Backbone
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Programs Recommended for NB(continued)
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Example of In Situ Elements of the NB with
Regional Enhancements
7
5
Regional Enhancements
8
NERA MACOORA
9
6
1
2
National Backbone
3
4
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How Will It Be Specified Implemented?

• Ocean.US Responsible for Design Specifications
  Development Plans
• IOOS Implementation Conferences
• Federal Agencies ? Regional Associations
• IOOS Development Plans
• Ocean.US ? Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science
  and Technology (JSOST)
• Federal Agencies RAs responsible for
  implementation

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How Will It Be Funded?
Non-Federal Funding RCOOSs
Federal Funding RCOOSs
Federal Funding National Backbone
Federal Funding RA Administration
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Phased development of the National Backbone

• Stage 1 Identify Building Blocks (Today)
• Initial National Backbone as recommended in 1st
  IOOS Development Plans
• Stage 2 Integration (2006 2008)
• Initial DMAC subsystem implemented
• All elements of the IOOS becoming DMAC compliant.
• Regional subregional elements incorporated into
  the NB based on user needs recommendations in
  IOOS Development Plans
• Stage 3 Transition to a fully userdriven system
  (2008 )
• Must be DMAC compliant support products
  services requiring data integration
• Regional Coastal Ocean Observing Systems become
  integral part of the IOOS as a whole

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Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing
System(GCOOS)
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Building the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean
Observing System
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Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System
(GCOOS)
U.S. EEZ
Source USGS http//walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/ga
zette/html/regions/gm.html
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Strategic Values of GCOOS Region

• 1999 population 46.7 million, increasing about
  5 annually
• Tourist industry tens of thousands of jobs worth
  over 20 billion annually
• Commercial fish and shellfish in 2000 1.8
  billion pounds produced with dockside value over
  990 million
• Shrimp landings in the Gulf 80 of the nation's
  total
• Gulf oyster production in poundage 60 of the
  national total
• Gulf recreational fishing 30 of U.S. saltwater
  fishing expenditures
• Gulf recreational fishing 23 of U.S. saltwater
  recreational jobs
• U.S. petroleum reserves 38 are in the Gulf
• U.S. natural gas reserves 48 are in the Gulf
• U.S. offshore oil and gas production 93 is in
  the Gulf
• Seven of the nation's top ten ports in terms of
  tonnage or cargo value are located in the Gulf of
  Mexico
• Two of the top seven global ports are located in
  the Gulf

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Environmental Challenges

• Gulf is the major drainage basin for 33 of the 48
  contiguous states.
• Gulf is stressed by pollution, nutrient loading,
  and other problems unique to its ecosystems.
• Major ecosystem threats include harmful algal
  blooms, habitat loss, invasive species, and
  hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions.
• Natural hazards such as hurricanes in summer and
  extratropical cyclones in winter threaten all
  strategic activities.

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GCOOS Vision
We seek to establish a sustained observing system
for the Gulf of Mexico to provide observations
and products needed by users in this region for
the purposes of

• Detecting and predicting climate variability and
  consequences,
• Preserving and restoring healthy marine
  ecosystems,
• Ensuring human health,
• Managing resources,
• Facilitating safe and efficient marine
  transportation,
• Enhancing national security, and
• Predicting and mitigating against coastal hazards.

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Overview of Status of GCOOS Regional Association

• Resolution Mission Statement in January 2003
• Formal Memorandum of Agreement establishing
  Regional Association for governance signed in
  January 2005 currently 47 signatories
• Member of the National Federation of Regional
  Associations
• Operational structure complete as of April 2006
• Web site operational

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GCOOS Organizational Structure
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http//www.gcoos.org
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Integration ofExisting Capabilities in the Gulf
of Mexico

• In situ observations
• Satellite observations and products
• Model products

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Two Guiding Concepts

• The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing
  System is considered to be a "System of Systems"
  comprised of many sub-systems that may be
  supported by different entities for a variety of
  differing reasons.
• The observations of these various sub-systems
  will be more useful to GCOOS goals if integrated
  to produce products needed by other stakeholders.

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Gulf of Mexico observations
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MMS NDBC buoy data
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9of9_tabs_08262004b.gif
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TCOON Network
http//tcoon.cbi.tamucc.edu/TCOON/HomePage
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TCOON Station 031 Seadrift
28 24.4 N, 96 42.7 W San Antonio Bay, Texas
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Houston/Galveston PORTSobservation locations
http//co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/images/hgports.gif
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BAYWATCH - Louisiana State University Nan Walker
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• Currently 5 stations
• Full suite meterological
• 3 Hydrographic Values
• Samples are taken every 10 seconds
• Minute, hourly, and daily summaries are recorded
• Data display is updated on the web every minute
• Archive Data available

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WAVCIS - Wave-Current Surge Information
System For Coastal Louisiana
http//csi.lsu.edu/
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The University of Southern Mississippi
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CODAR Coverage
Gulfport Station
Gulf Shores Station
Offshore Transmitting Station
The University of Southern Mississippi
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Tampa Bay PORTSobservation locations
http//co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/images/tbports.gif
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University of South Florida COMPS
http//comps.marine.usf.edu/index.html
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Satellite Products
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Model Products
COAPS Winds and SSH simulations
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GCOOS Development

• Integration of existing subsystems
• Identification of potential user requirements
• Enhancements to meet user needs for observations
  and products (including data management)
• Education and outreach

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GCOOS DevelopmentIntegration of existing
sub-systems

• We maintain an inventory of observing sub-systems
  with users, current and future costs, and plans.
• Real-time physical data are quality controlled
  and openly distributed by the NOAA National Data
  Buoy Center (NDBC).
• We are working to bring new (including
  non-physical) data sets into the NDBC system.
• We are encouraging communication among
  sub-systems through our Observing Systems
  Committee.
• Our Data Management and communication Committee
  is developing standards and protocols for use by
  all sub-systems.

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GCOOS DevelopmentIdentification 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

69
GCOOS Workshops Meetings Held (1)
Types Informational Sector Needs RA Structural

• Integrated Data Systems for Oceanography, 31
  October-2 November 2000, Stennis Space Center, MS
• NVODS Workshop for Managers of Coastal Observing
  Systems, 14-15 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 13-15 April, 2004, St
  Petersburg, FL
• Next Steps in the Gulf of Mexico Needed
  Underpinning Research 7-8 July 2004, College
  Station, TX

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GCOOS Workshops Meetings Held (2)
Types Informational Sector Needs RA Structural

• Formation meeting for a GCOOS Education and
  Outreach Council, 29-30 November 2004, Biloxi,
  MS
• Initial GCOOS Stakeholder Meeting Development of
  a Governance Structure, 24-25 January 2005, New
  Orleans, LA
• GCOOS and the Private Sector Oil and Gas and
  Related Industry, 2-4 November 2005, Houston, TX
• First GCOOS Stakeholder Council Meeting, 10-11
  January 2006, Mobile, AL
• First annual GCOOS Parties Meeting, 11 January
  2006, Mobile, AL
• First annual meeting of GCOOS Education and
  Outreach Council, 24-25 April 2006, Ocean
  Springs, MS
• First annual meetings of GCOOS Observing Systems
  Committee, DMAC Committee and Products and
  Services Committee, 26-27 April 2006, Ocean
  Springs, MS

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• Future Focused Stakeholder Workshops
• FisheriesCommercial, recreational, and
  regulatory. Seeking assistance from the Gulf of
  Mexico Fishery Management Council, Gulf States
  Marine Fisheries Commission, and NOAA Southeast
  Fisheries Research Center, and state fishery
  agencies.
• Emergency responders to storm surge and flooding.
  Joint sponsorship by NOAA Coastal Services
  Center, SECOORA, and GCOOS.
• Maritime transportation elementsincluding tanker
  traffic, container ships, cruise ships, shipping
  agents, port authorities, pilots, LNG carriers,
  intercoastal waterway traffic, and commercial
  transportation of people.
• Recreational boatingincluding marina operators,
  power squadrons, yacht clubs, marina operators,
  and retailers.
• Urban planners/developers
• Water qualityKey on Gulf of Mexico Alliance
  Plans and on results of U.S. IOOS Public Health
  Workshop held 23-25 January 2006.

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GCOOS Business Plan

• Draft Business Plan for the GCOOS-RA is posted to
  web for comments
• Plan includes
• Development strategy
• Investment strategy
• Near-term priorities for enhancements
• Cost estimates
• Estimates of economic benefits

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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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Potential Benefits Economic
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Potential BenefitsBack-up Sources in Emergency

• Rapid response to provide data fields to NOAA
  HAZMAT for use in pollutant spill models after
  Hurricane Katrina had disabled the data modeling
  system at Stennis Space Center, MS
• Delivery of NDBC data by other GCOOS elements
  after Katrina disabled the NDBC web site.

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Potential Benefits Assessments of Performance
in Emergency

• An initial assessment of the performance of the
  existing GCOOS elements was done following
  Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
• Data sets provided to many entities (local,
  state, federal govt., media, public, academics)
  before, during, and after Katrina for a myriad of
  uses.
• Lessons learned made available in system
  summaries on web.
• Replacement instruments and gear highly dependent
  on eccentricities of state and/or federal risk
  and emergency management funding rules.

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http//www.gcoos.org
Thank You Please visit our web site for further
information.

• If you wish to become a Party to the Regional
  Association, download the Memorandum of Agreement
  from the GCOOS web site, sign and fax to Worth
  Nowlin [phone].