Chapter 8
IN-SITU OBSERVATIONS: OPERATIONAL
SYSTEMS AND DATA MANAGEMENT
Sylvie Pouliquen
IFREMER, Centre de Brest, Plouzané, France
Abstract:
This paper presents, through existing examples, the main characteristics of
operational in-situ observing systems and the data management issues to be
addressed for operational oceanography needs. It provides the main
characteristics of an operational in situ observing system in comparison with a
research one in term of sustainability, coverage, timeliness, implementation
issues and international coordination. It highlights the main features that have
to be put in place for operational system data management and differences
between different architectures that are nowadays operated.
Keywords: In-situ, observing systems, data management, quality control, data formats,
ARGO, GOSUD, OceanSites.
1.
Introduction
Scientists, fishermen, navigators… have been observing the oceans since
the middle of the 19
th century for their own needs (to enhance safety, to
improve transit time, to understand some phenomena, etc). But this has often
been done in an unorganized way, shared only among small communities,
measured over limited areas and periods of time: a lot of data have thus been
lost or are too incomplete to be used by the community nowadays.
Because it has been demonstrated that ocean and atmosphere behaviour
are clearly linked together, it is mandatory to observe and understand the
oceans the same way it has been done for the atmosphere since the 20
th
century. That is why individuals, research groups, and nations have started to
work together to overcome the technical and logistical challenges associated
with carrying out joint routine measurements of the global-ocean.
While satellites are providing a global view of the surface of the ocean, it
is important to set up in-situ systems to monitor their interior (e.g. Send this
volume). Basically, the following are needed:
207
E. P. Chassignet and J. Verron (eds.), Ocean Weather Forecasting, 207-227.
© 2006 Springer. Printed in the Netherlands.
IN-SITU OBSERVATIONS: OPERATIONAL
SYSTEMS AND DATA MANAGEMENT
Sylvie Pouliquen
IFREMER, Centre de Brest, Plouzané, France
Abstract:
This paper presents, through existing examples, the main characteristics of
operational in-situ observing systems and the data management issues to be
addressed for operational oceanography needs. It provides the main
characteristics of an operational in situ observing system in comparison with a
research one in term of sustainability, coverage, timeliness, implementation
issues and international coordination. It highlights the main features that have
to be put in place for operational system data management and differences
between different architectures that are nowadays operated.
Keywords: In-situ, observing systems, data management, quality control, data formats,
ARGO, GOSUD, OceanSites.
1.
Introduction
Scientists, fishermen, navigators… have been observing the oceans since
the middle of the 19
th century for their own needs (to enhance safety, to
improve transit time, to understand some phenomena, etc). But this has often
been done in an unorganized way, shared only among small communities,
measured over limited areas and periods of time: a lot of data have thus been
lost or are too incomplete to be used by the community nowadays.
Because it has been demonstrated that ocean and atmosphere behaviour
are clearly linked together, it is mandatory to observe and understand the
oceans the same way it has been done for the atmosphere since the 20
th
century. That is why individuals, research groups, and nations have started to
work together to overcome the technical and logistical challenges associated
with carrying out joint routine measurements of the global-ocean.
While satellites are providing a global view of the surface of the ocean, it
is important to set up in-situ systems to monitor their interior (e.g. Send this
volume). Basically, the following are needed:
207
E. P. Chassignet and J. Verron (eds.), Ocean Weather Forecasting, 207-227.
© 2006 Springer. Printed in the Netherlands.