Physical Oceanography for the Year 2000 (1987) / Chapter Skim
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'Prerequisites for Research'
'Prerequisites for Research'
Pages 29-36
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From page 29... ...
PREREQUISITES FOR RESEARCH Several classes of prerequisites are essential for the success of the recommended research initiatives, as well as for the continued excellence of the general individual research program in physical oceanography. These prerequisites include new developments and replacement of the existing infrastructure to support research in this discipline.
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From page 30... ...
Different types of radar measure sea surface topography, from which ocean currents and seabed shape can be deduced; ice shelf elevations, from which we can determine whether polar ice caps are melting; ocean wave heights, which are important for ship routing; sea surface winds, which are important for ocean circulation; and high-resolution sea ice imagery, which is important for supporting commercial operations in ice-infested waters. Detailed measurements of ocean color provide an estimate of biological productivity, which affects fish yield; infrared radiation from the ocean gives sea surface 30
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From page 31... ...
The report stressed the immediacy of our nation's need for a better understanding of the oceans and showed how a significant part of that need can be met by satellite observing systems. Although existing weather satellites operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Defense provide some routine surface observations, measurements of surface winds, ocean currents, biological productivity, and the gravity and magnetic fields of the earth are still needed.
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From page 32... ...
NROSS and TOPEX/POSEIDON are crucial to the World Climate Research Programme; their timing must remain as scheduled to ensure their simultaneous performance with other complementary satelite and field activities of this international program. NASA is currently investigating flight opportunities for ocean color measurements.
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From page 33... ...
The UNOLS has commissioned a study leading to a coordinated plan for the replacement of the aging UNOLS fleet and the construction of new ships. This study consists of the following elements: review and verification of requirements for research vessels; status of current ships and the identification of needed capabilities and priorities; report of critical areas of ship replacement and specifications for priority replacements; conceptual design studies of several selected alternative platforms; community-wide review and discussion of the foregoing; development of a replacement plan incorporating desired fleet mix to meet requirements, priorities, time frame, and costs of new construction; and preliminary design of the vessel types needed to implement the early phase(s)
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From page 34... ...
Vector current meters; long-lived acoustic release systems; floats for remote tracking of currents near sound channel depths; expendable profilers of vertical shear of ocean current; systems for profiling salinity, temperature, and density from a conducting cable while obtaining water samples; and satellite-tracked ocean surface drifters are examples. Nevertheless, the technological developments that will be needed to support the new research thrusts of the 1990s and beyond are foreseen, and many either are not under way or are progressing too slowly to make their maximum contributions in terms of cost efficiency or under sampling capability.
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From page 35... ...
A national ocean modeling initiative must have three thrusts: the development and availability of class seven computers and their descendants, academic access to present and future supercomputer facilities, and training of additional research scientists to develop and make effective use of vector codes. Oceanographic modelers need to develop the capability of merging real data and dynamic principles into a meaningful tool, perhaps by using the objective analysis techniques that diagnostic meteorologists have employed and refined.
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From page 36... ...
Ocean Data Archiving Dissatisfaction with the present system of archiving oceanographic data in the U.S. has been expressed by the ocean science community for at least a decade.
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