113
© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018
J. E. Corredor, Coastal Ocean Observing,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78352-9_6
Chapter 6
Numerical Models for Operational Ocean
Observing
Abstract Ocean general circulation models (OGCM) mathematically simulate
ocean water mass movements making use of the hydrodynamic equations adhering
to the conservation of mass, and energy through simplifying assumptions that allow
operational algorithms. Models are built upon grids and computations are performed
at grid nodes and propagated through the grid at predetermined time steps. Local
coastal circulation models, addressing a smaller area, can implement denser grids
providing greater detail. These however are commonly embedded or nested within
large-scale OGCMs reducing computational demand by providing boundary conditions between the models. Operational assimilation of instrumental data constrains
model drift, extending the fidelity of model forecasts. Lagrangian tracking of virtual
particles released into or upon the water surface provides guidance for spill tracking
and search and rescue operations. Spectral ocean wave models determine energy
density across the wave spectrum allowing forecasts of wave heights, parameterized
as significant or maximum wave height, wave period, and wave direction. Accurate
coastal circulation and wave modeling requires detailed coastline and bottom topography databases as well as fine-grained model wind fields. Chemical models are
being used to track and forecast ocean acidification and biological models are being
tuned for prediction of harmful algal bloom occurrences.
Keywords General circulation models · Data assimilation · Structured grids ·
Unstructured grids · Coastal models · Wave models · Lagrangian tracking ·
Chemical models · Biological models
6.1 Constraints to Spatial and Temporal Resolution
of Ocean Observing Models
Numerical models are synthetic digital representations of the physics, chemistry,
and biology of the ocean. Three-dimensional physical models provide the basis for
complementary optical, chemical, and biological models. Computations are
The original version of this chapter was revised. A correction to this chapter can be found at
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78352-9_9
© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018
J. E. Corredor, Coastal Ocean Observing,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78352-9_6
Chapter 6
Numerical Models for Operational Ocean
Observing
Abstract Ocean general circulation models (OGCM) mathematically simulate
ocean water mass movements making use of the hydrodynamic equations adhering
to the conservation of mass, and energy through simplifying assumptions that allow
operational algorithms. Models are built upon grids and computations are performed
at grid nodes and propagated through the grid at predetermined time steps. Local
coastal circulation models, addressing a smaller area, can implement denser grids
providing greater detail. These however are commonly embedded or nested within
large-scale OGCMs reducing computational demand by providing boundary conditions between the models. Operational assimilation of instrumental data constrains
model drift, extending the fidelity of model forecasts. Lagrangian tracking of virtual
particles released into or upon the water surface provides guidance for spill tracking
and search and rescue operations. Spectral ocean wave models determine energy
density across the wave spectrum allowing forecasts of wave heights, parameterized
as significant or maximum wave height, wave period, and wave direction. Accurate
coastal circulation and wave modeling requires detailed coastline and bottom topography databases as well as fine-grained model wind fields. Chemical models are
being used to track and forecast ocean acidification and biological models are being
tuned for prediction of harmful algal bloom occurrences.
Keywords General circulation models · Data assimilation · Structured grids ·
Unstructured grids · Coastal models · Wave models · Lagrangian tracking ·
Chemical models · Biological models
6.1 Constraints to Spatial and Temporal Resolution
of Ocean Observing Models
Numerical models are synthetic digital representations of the physics, chemistry,
and biology of the ocean. Three-dimensional physical models provide the basis for
complementary optical, chemical, and biological models. Computations are
The original version of this chapter was revised. A correction to this chapter can be found at
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78352-9_9