Marine Observations
Marine observations
The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) is sponsored by WMO, IOC of UNESCO, UNEP, and ISC. It is designed to provide sustained observations from the global ocean, and related analysis and modeling of ocean fields in support of operational oceanography and climate change applications. WMO Members directly participate in the GOOS by the provision of in situ and satellite observations. It is not solely operational, but includes work to convert research understanding into operational tools. It is designed to produce products useful to a wide range of users.
The Observations Programme Area of JCOMM is primarily responsible for the development, coordination and maintenance of moored buoy, drifting buoy, ship-based and space-based observational networks and related telecommunications facilities. It also monitors the efficiency of the overall observing system and, as necessary, recommends and coordinates changes designed to improve it. It has inherited lead responsibility for a number of important and well-established observational programs, which are managed by bodies that now report through JCOMM.
JCOMM is now contributing to the implementation of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) and following the legacy recommendations of the JCOMM Pilot Project for the integration of marine and other appropriate oceanographic observations into WIGOS. Those are published in the report of the Pilot Project, which was completed at the end of 2010 (see here).
Programmes under JCOMM: |
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Ship based observations (surface meteorological observations, aerological profiles, sub-surface oceanographic observations).
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Drifting buoys (Lagrangian drifters), moored buoys (meteorological moorings, tropical moorings, tsunami buoys), ice buoys.
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Tide gauges.
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Associated programmes: |
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Sub-surface profiling floats (temperature/salinity profiles).
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Ship based ocean carbon observations.
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Deep ocean multi-disciplinary reference stations (mainly moored buoys).
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The Global Ocean Ship-Based Hydrographic Investigations Program
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Satellite Remote Sensing programs
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Implementation support: |
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Technical coordination, deployment opportunities, programme status and monitoring. | |
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The purpose of the Observing System Monitoring Center is to show the types, location and timing of in-situ observations throughout the global oceans. |
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Partnership for ocean observing systems : |
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PANGEA is a concept developed by JCOMM with the goal to develop partnership between developed and developing countries to realize the socio-economical benefits of ocean observing systems at global and regional scales. |
JCOMM Observations Programme Area contact points