AN OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM FOR CLIMATE - THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

The conceptual design of an ocean observing system for the routine, lo ng-term gathering and processing of ocean data useful for monitoring, describing and predicting ocean climate and its variability is discuss ed. The ultimate aim of the system is represented by four application areas; atmospheric prediction; ocean and coupled ocean-atmosphere clim ate prediction; state-of-the-art ocean climate assessment; and model v alidation. Models are presented as the unifying glue for the system, p roviding a means for exploiting observed information in many different ways as well as a means for processing complicated and diverse data s ets into a form which has practical applications. Monitoring, descript ion and prediction require different supporting environments in order to exploit this potential. The overall objective of the system is brok en down into a series of goals and sub-goals roughly aligned with surf ace, upper ocean and deep ocean applications and with modelling and in formation management requirements. A prioritization of these goals is presented and it is shown that ordered implementation of the elements supporting these goals will lead to a sensible, staged implementation of the observing system. The research, development and exploitation of appropriate technology is emphasised. Trade-offs and rationalisation across the elements of the ocean observing system for climate and betw een other climate components and ocean modules is central to the devel opment and successful implementation. The design is presented as the f irst stage in a constantly evolving and maturing ocean observing syste m for climate applications.