Satellite data validation: a parametrization of the natural variability of atmospheric mixing ratios

High-resolution model data are used to estimate typical variabilities of mixing ratios of trace species as a function of spatial and temporal distance. These estimates can be used to explain that part of the differences between observations made with different observing systems that are due to less than perfect collocation of the measurements. The variability values are described by a two-parameter regression function. A reparametrization of the variabilities values as function of latitudinal graidents is proposed, and season-independence of linear approximation of such function is demonstrated.

Signatures of northeast monsoon activity and passage of tropical cyclones in the integrated precipitable water vapour estimated through GPS technique

Water vapour represents a key variable in the atmospheric processes. The importance of assessing water vapour availability in the atmosphere is indicated by the currently prevalent use of vast number of observing systems, both of in-situ and remote sensing types, designed to measure its distribution accurately over wide ranges of space and time scales. One of the widely used techniques world over is use of ground based GPS receivers for measurement of total precipitable water vapour in the atmosphere over the station. One such system is being operated at Chennai since 2007. An analysis of hourly Integrated Precipitable Water Vapour (IWV) data received from this system during Northeast Monsoon (NEM) season of 2008 shows the signatures of NEM activity and the passage of tropical disturbances like cyclonic storms and depressions in the vicinity of the GPS observation site. The GPS based IWV values are found to agree fairly well with radiosonde based IWV values and a good correlation exists between them. The IWV values obtained from GPS based system are found to be consistent with activity of Northeast monsoon with increase (decrease) of IWV during active (weak) phase of NEM 2008. The general expected trend of increase in IWV with approach of tropical systems in the vicinity of GPS station, reaching maximum during closest approach and again its decrease with increase of distance from the station is noticed. The diurnal variation of GPS based IWV estimates during NEM 2008 does not appear to be significant.

Characteristic features of Orissa super cyclone of 29th October, 1999 as observed through CDR Paradip

lkj & bl 'kks/k&Ik= esa 29 vDrwcj] 1999 esa mM+hlk ds rV ij vk, egkpØokr ds Øfed fodkl ds jsMkj ls izkIr gq, vfHky{k.kksa dks izysf[kr djus dk iz;kl fd;k x;k gSA 280800 ;w- Vh- lh- vkSj 290200 ;w- Vh- lh- ds e/; fy, x, 18 ?kaVs dh vof/k ds ih- ih- vkbZ- fp=ksa ls rS;kj fd, x, /kzqoh; vkjs[kksa ds fo’ys"k.k ls bl egkpØokr ds Øfed fodkl ds jkspd igyqvksa dk irk pyk gSA bl fo’ys"k.k ls izkIr gq, izcyhdj.k ds ladsr izs{k.k dh vU; iz.kkfy;ksa ds mi;ksx ls izkIr gq, fo’ys"k.kksa ds vuq:Ik ik, x, gSaA An attempt is made to document the radar observed features of evolution of super cyclone that hit Orissa on 29 October, 1999. Analysis of polar diagrams comprising of hourly PPI images taken between 280800 UTC and 290200 UTC reveals interesting aspects of development of this Super Cyclone in terms of waxing and waning of eye size in relation to intensification process. The smallest radius of maximum reflectivity is in conformity with the colossal death toll observed close to the track of the super cyclone. Structural changes observed through radar images are in conformity with intensify changes as seen through other observing systems.

Autonomous Surface and Underwater Vehicles as Effective Ecosystem Monitoring and Research Platforms in the Arctic—The Glider Project

Effective ocean management requires integrated and sustainable ocean observing systems enabling us to map and understand ecosystem properties and the effects of human activities. Autonomous subsurface and surface vehicles, here collectively referred to as “gliders”, are part of such ocean observing systems providing high spatiotemporal resolution. In this paper, we present some of the results achieved through the project “Unmanned ocean vehicles, a flexible and cost-efficient offshore monitoring and data management approach—GLIDER”. In this project, three autonomous surface and underwater vehicles were deployed along the Lofoten–Vesterålen (LoVe) shelf-slope-oceanic system, in Arctic Norway. The aim of this effort was to test whether gliders equipped with novel sensors could effectively perform ecosystem surveys by recording physical, biogeochemical, and biological data simultaneously. From March to September 2018, a period of high biological activity in the area, the gliders were able to record a set of environmental parameters, including temperature, salinity, and oxygen, map the spatiotemporal distribution of zooplankton, and record cetacean vocalizations and anthropogenic noise. A subset of these parameters was effectively employed in near-real-time data assimilative ocean circulation models, improving their local predictive skills. The results presented here demonstrate that autonomous gliders can be effective long-term, remote, noninvasive ecosystem monitoring and research platforms capable of operating in high-latitude marine ecosystems. Accordingly, these platforms can record high-quality baseline environmental data in areas where extractive activities are planned and provide much-needed information for operational and management purposes.

Maximizing Benefits From Punctual Ocean Infrastructure: An Ethical Perspective

Ethics are becoming a component of best practices in ocean science and observing systems, with the research community facing a duty to society to maximize the efficient use and benefits that stem from investments in ocean science/monitoring. Sustained ocean observing systems on issues of global importance are coordinated, internationally sanctioned and making the most out of the resources accorded to them and consequently fulfilling their duty to society. However, globally huge investments are made annually in establishing infrastructure for shorter-term, punctual studies that address targeted as opposed to broad science needs. More could be done to maximize the benefits and impacts of these punctual efforts. Given punctual infrastructure’s small and frequently transient nature, connections to enable sharing will probably be done locally, and both potential additional users and owners of the infrastructure will need to be energetic, receptive and flexible. The accommodation of new uses will have to be balanced against any costs of these additional activities, which could pose an ethical dilemma in themselves if they compromise the infrastructure’s ability to meet its original intent. However, such adaptive infrastructures may be the most efficient way to provide the resources needed to identify and monitor emerging or new ocean stressors.

Collaborative Automation and IoT Technologies for Coastal Ocean Observing Systems

Coastal observing systems are typically nationally funded and built around national priorities. As a result, there are presently significant differences between countries in terms of sustainability, observing capacity and technologies, as well as methods and research priorities. Ocean observing systems in coastal areas must now move toward an integrated, multidisciplinary and multiscale system of systems, where heterogeneity should be exploited to deliver fit-for-purpose products that answer the diversity and complexity of the requirements from stakeholders and end-users. Essential elements of such distributed observation systems are the use of machine-to-machine communication, data fusion and processing applying recent technological developments for the Internet of Things (IoT) toward a common cyberinfrastructure. This perspective paper illustrates some of the challenges for sustained coastal observations and provides details on how to address present gaps. We discuss the role of collaborative robotics between unmanned platforms in coastal areas and the methods to benefit from IoT technologies. Given present trends in cost-effective solutions in ocean sensors and electronics, and methods for marine automation and communication, we consider that a distributed observation system can effectively provide timely information in coastal regions around the world, including those areas that are today poorly observed (e.g., developing countries). Adaptation in space and time of the sensing nodes, and the flexibility in handling different sensing platforms can provide to the system the ability to quickly respond to the rapid changes in oceanic and climatic processes, as well as to promptly respond to evolving stakeholder and end-user requirements.

Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Ocean Observing: A Review of Successful Partnerships

Understanding and management of the marine environment requires respect for, and inclusion of, Indigenous knowledge, cultures, and traditional practices. The Aha Honua, an ocean observing declaration from Coastal Indigenous Peoples, calls on the ocean observing community to “formally recognize the traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples,” and “to learn and respect each other’s ways of knowing.” Ocean observing systems typically adopt open data sharing as a core principle, often requiring that data be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). Without modification, this approach to Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) would mean disregarding historical and ongoing injustices and imbalances in power, and information management principles designed to address these wrongs. TEK from global ocean observing is not equitable or desirable. Ocean observing systems tend to align with settler geography, but their chosen regions often include Indigenous coastal-dwelling communities that have acted as caretakers and stewards of the land and ocean for thousands of years. Achieving the call of Aha Honua will require building relationships that recognize Indigenous peoples play a special role in the area of ocean stewardship, care, and understanding. This review examines the current understanding of how Indigenous TEK can be successfully coordinated or utilized alongside western scientific systems, specifically the potential coordination of TEK with ocean observing systems. We identify relevant methods and collaborative projects, including cases where TEK has been collected, digitized and the meta(data) has been made open under some or all the FAIR principles. This review also highlights enabling factors that notably contribute to successful outcomes in digitization, and mitigation measures to avoid the decontextualization of TEK. Recommendations are primarily value- and process-based, rather than action-based, and acknowledge the key limitation that this review is based on extant written knowledge. In cases where examples are provided, or local context is necessary to be concrete, we refer to a motivating example of the nascent Atlantic Regional Association of the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System and their desire to build relationships with Indigenous communities.