204 Allan R. Robinson and Jurgen Sellschopp
The smallest scales of operational forecast interest generally require compatible
observational and modelling grids of too high a resolution to be practical for the
entire forecast domain. Thus special interest regions are nested. Two-way modelling nests designed to run in parallel with equal elapsed computing times are efficient. Steep topographic slopes require careful treatment for accurate forecasts
(Haidvogel and Beckman, 1998). Data assimilation (Malanotte-Rizzoli, 1996;
Robinson et al., 1998) is essential to control phase and loss of predictability errors
and to optimize forecast accuracies. A field estimate made by melding data and
dynamics by a short dynamical adjustment model run, after assimilating data, is
called a nowcast. The coupled system required for ocean forecasting composed of:
an observational network; numeric al dynamical models; and data assimilation,
analysis and management schemes, is called an Ocean Observing and Prediction
System (OOPS) (Robinson, 1999; Robinson and LOOPS Group, 1999). The
OOPS concept is developed in the REA context in section 11.4.
11.3 Implications and Applications of the Physics
11.3.1 Interdisciplinary Processes
Ocean science and marine technology are inherently interdisciplinary subjects
and physical forcing plays an important or dominant role in many aspects of, e.g.,
acoustical, biologic al and sedimentological dynamics in the sea. Thus there are a
variety of scientific and practic al applications of the forecast physical fields and
many situations occur where coupled interdisciplinary simulations and forecasts
are necessary. Recent rapid progress in understanding physical processes and in
achieving realistic physical field estimation now makes feasible novel interdisciplinary prediction relevant both to climate, biogeochemical cycles, and ecosystem
dynamics (Robinson et al., 1999a), and to the management of, and operations in,
coastal oceans and multiuse Exclusive Economic Zones. Interactions and feedbacks occur among the physical-acoustical-optical-biological-chemical-sedimentological fields. Examples include living and other particulate control of incoming
solar radiation, biological and chemi cal reactions during pollutant dispersion,
motion induced bioluminescence, resuspension processes, the effects of temperature gradients on acoustic propagation and, inversely, the use of acoustic travel
times to estimate temperature gradients.
11.3.2 Naval Applications
Navy interest in the ocean is due to the impact on system performance under different environmental conditions. Navy operations are usually categorized under
warfare disciplines that, with some overlap, also reflect the water depth ofthe operations. There are three attack-defense pairs: Submarine operations and anti submarine warfare (ASW), mine warfare (MW) and mine counter-measures (MCM),
amphibious warfare (AW) and coast protection. Both facets should be considered,
The smallest scales of operational forecast interest generally require compatible
observational and modelling grids of too high a resolution to be practical for the
entire forecast domain. Thus special interest regions are nested. Two-way modelling nests designed to run in parallel with equal elapsed computing times are efficient. Steep topographic slopes require careful treatment for accurate forecasts
(Haidvogel and Beckman, 1998). Data assimilation (Malanotte-Rizzoli, 1996;
Robinson et al., 1998) is essential to control phase and loss of predictability errors
and to optimize forecast accuracies. A field estimate made by melding data and
dynamics by a short dynamical adjustment model run, after assimilating data, is
called a nowcast. The coupled system required for ocean forecasting composed of:
an observational network; numeric al dynamical models; and data assimilation,
analysis and management schemes, is called an Ocean Observing and Prediction
System (OOPS) (Robinson, 1999; Robinson and LOOPS Group, 1999). The
OOPS concept is developed in the REA context in section 11.4.
11.3 Implications and Applications of the Physics
11.3.1 Interdisciplinary Processes
Ocean science and marine technology are inherently interdisciplinary subjects
and physical forcing plays an important or dominant role in many aspects of, e.g.,
acoustical, biologic al and sedimentological dynamics in the sea. Thus there are a
variety of scientific and practic al applications of the forecast physical fields and
many situations occur where coupled interdisciplinary simulations and forecasts
are necessary. Recent rapid progress in understanding physical processes and in
achieving realistic physical field estimation now makes feasible novel interdisciplinary prediction relevant both to climate, biogeochemical cycles, and ecosystem
dynamics (Robinson et al., 1999a), and to the management of, and operations in,
coastal oceans and multiuse Exclusive Economic Zones. Interactions and feedbacks occur among the physical-acoustical-optical-biological-chemical-sedimentological fields. Examples include living and other particulate control of incoming
solar radiation, biological and chemi cal reactions during pollutant dispersion,
motion induced bioluminescence, resuspension processes, the effects of temperature gradients on acoustic propagation and, inversely, the use of acoustic travel
times to estimate temperature gradients.
11.3.2 Naval Applications
Navy interest in the ocean is due to the impact on system performance under different environmental conditions. Navy operations are usually categorized under
warfare disciplines that, with some overlap, also reflect the water depth ofthe operations. There are three attack-defense pairs: Submarine operations and anti submarine warfare (ASW), mine warfare (MW) and mine counter-measures (MCM),
amphibious warfare (AW) and coast protection. Both facets should be considered,