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Ann. Geophys., 21, 3-20, 2003
www.ann-geophys.net/21/3/2003/
© European Geosciences Union 2003
The Mediterranean ocean forecasting system: first phase of implementation (1998–2001)
N. Pinardi1, I. Allen2, E. Demirov3, P. De Mey4, G. Korres5, A. Lascaratos5, P.-Y. Le Traon6, C. Maillard7, G. Manzella8, and C. Tziavos9
1Bologna University, Corso di Scienze Ambientali, Ravenna, Italy
2Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, UK
3Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
4LEGOS, Toulouse, France
5Laboratory of Meteorology, Department of Applied Physics, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
6Oceanography Department, CLS Space Oceanography Division, Ramonville Saint-Agne, France
7IFREMER, Center de Brest, Plouzan, France
8Centro Ricerche Ambiente Marino ENEA, La Spezia, Italy
9National Center for Marine Research, Athens, Greece
Abstract. The Mediterranean
Forecasting system Pilot Project has concluded its activities in 2001,
achieving the following goals:
1. Realization of the first high-frequency (twice a month)
Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) system for the Mediterranean Sea with XBT
profiles for the upper thermocline (0–700 m) and 12 n.m. along track nominal
resolution;
2. Realization of the first Mediterranean Multidisciplinary
Moored Array (M3A) system for the Near-Real-Time (NRT) acquisition of physical
and biochemical observations. The actual observations consists of: air-sea
interaction parameters, upper thermocline (0–500 m) temperature, salinity,
oxygen and currents, euphotic zone (0–100 m) chlorophyll, nutrients,
Photosinthetically Available Radiation (PAR) and turbidity;
3. Analysis and NRT dissemination of high quality along track
Sea Level Anomaly (SLA), Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data from satellite
sensors to be assimilated into the forecasting model;
4. Assembly and implementation of a multivariate Reduced
Order Optimal Interpolation scheme (ROOI) for assimilation in NRT of all
available data, in particular, SLA and VOS-XBT profiles;
5. Demonstration of the practical feasibility of NRT ten day
forecasts at the Mediterranean basin scale with resolution of 0.125° in
latitude and longitude. The analysis or nowcast is done once a week;
6. Development and implementation of nested regional (5 km)
and shelf (2–3 km) models to simulate the seasonal variability. Four regional
and nine shelf models were implemented successfully, nested within the
forecasting model. The implementation exercise was carried out in different
region/shelf dynamical regimes and it was demonstrated that one-way nesting is
practical and accurate;
7. Validation and calibration of a complex ecosystem model in
data reach shelf areas, to prepare for forecasting in a future phase. The same
ecosystem model is capable of reproducing the major features of the primary
producers’ carbon cycle in different regions and shelf areas. The model
simulations were compared with the multidisciplinary M3A buoy observations and
assimilation techniques were developed for the biochemical data.
This paper overviews the methodological aspects of the
research done, from the NRT observing system to the forecasting/modelling
components and to the extensive validation/calibration experiments carried out
with regional/shelf and ecosystem models.
Key words. Oceanography: general
(ocean prediction; instruments and techniques) Oceanography: physical
(currents)
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