Global Ocean Observing System

Global Ocean Observing System
Name	Global Ocean Observing System
Formation	1991
Type	International scientific program
Status	Active
Purpose	Coordinated, sustained ocean observation
Headquarters	Paris, France
Parent organization	Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
Website	www.goosocean.org

Global Ocean Observing System. It is a permanent global system for observations, modeling, and analysis of marine and ocean variables to support operational ocean services worldwide. Established under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, it provides a framework for international coordination to sustain a comprehensive network of ocean observations. This system delivers critical data used for climate monitoring, weather forecasting, and marine resource management, involving collaboration among nations, agencies, and scientific bodies like the World Meteorological Organization and the International Council for Science.

Overview

The genesis of the system traces to the early 1990s, following initiatives like the World Climate Research Programme and the Tropical Ocean-Global Atmosphere program. Its formal creation was endorsed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Assembly in 1991, with foundational planning occurring at conferences such as Oceanology International. The primary objective is to implement a sustained, coordinated international observing network that meets the needs of user communities for data on the state of the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and polar seas. Key drivers include understanding phenomena like El Niño-Southern Oscillation, sea-level rise, and ocean acidification, which are priorities for bodies like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Components

The observing network integrates diverse platforms and technologies across the global ocean. Essential in-situ elements include the international Argo program of profiling floats, the Ship-of-Opportunity Programme using volunteer commercial vessels, and fixed mooring arrays like those in the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center network. Satellite remote sensing, coordinated by agencies such as NASA and the European Space Agency, provides synoptic data on sea surface temperature, salinity, and height. Additional components encompass tide gauge networks managed by the Global Sea Level Observing System, repeated hydrographic sections under GO-SHIP, and emerging technologies like autonomous underwater vehicles from institutions like the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Governance and organization

Governance is structured through the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, which houses the secretariat in Paris. The overarching guidance is provided by the GOOS Steering Committee, which includes experts from member states and partner organizations like the World Meteorological Organization and the International Hydrographic Organization. Regional alliances, such as EuroGOOS in Europe and IOGOOS in the Indian Ocean, implement observing activities tailored to regional seas like the Mediterranean Sea or the South China Sea. Funding and implementation rely on contributions from national agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology.

Data management and dissemination

A core principle is free and open access to data through distributed systems adhering to standards set by the International Organization for Standardization. The IODE program of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission plays a key role in facilitating data exchange. Integrated data streams are assembled by centers like the Copernicus Marine Service in Europe and the Global Temperature and Salinity Profile Programme. These data are delivered to operational forecasting centers, including the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center, and are archived in repositories such as those at the National Centers for Environmental Information.

Applications and impact

The data and products generated are fundamental to a wide range of services. They underpin numerical weather prediction models at the Met Office and Météo-France, enhancing forecasts for events like Hurricane Katrina or Typhoon Haiyan. Climate assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change rely heavily on its ocean heat content and sea-level records. The system supports maritime safety through services of the International Maritime Organization, aids fisheries management by organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization, and informs conservation efforts in areas like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Future developments and challenges

Future strategy, outlined in documents like the GOOS 2030 Strategy, focuses on integrating biological and ecosystem observations with traditional physical and chemical measurements. Key challenges include securing long-term funding from entities like the World Bank, maintaining observing sites in politically sensitive regions such as the South China Sea, and incorporating new technologies from projects like the Ocean Observatories Initiative. Expanding coverage in the Southern Ocean and deep-sea regions remains a priority, as does enhancing data interoperability with other global systems like the Global Climate Observing System and the Group on Earth Observations.

Category:Oceanography Category:Climate change organizations Category:International scientific organizations