661 



methods that rely on deployment of expensive, one-of-a-kind 

 sensors are inadequate to meet the challenge of optical research 

 in the coastal zone. 



b. Accessibility 



Generally there is no public access to these data since the 

 majority are classified. The Naval Oceanographic Office has 

 collected an extensive set of optical and bioluminescence 

 measurements of the world's oceans, primarily in classified 

 form. These ship observations include both underway and on- 

 station measurements. Although the data are primarily located 

 in areas of specific interest to the Navy, they represent an 

 extensive set of unique measurements. Most of these data are 

 available through official (classified) data reports, but they are 

 not available electronically through a relational database. 



c. Scientific Utility 



Improved characterization of optical parameters in littoral 

 access will be of immediate help to studies of ocean health, 

 living marine resources, and basic research. Coastal studies 

 are a prime example of how the operational and research 

 communities would benefit by joint data sharing and research 

 programs. For example, the next-generation satellite ocean 

 color sensors will provide much better measurements in these 

 complex coastal waters. Access to both civilian and operational 

 databases of in situ observations would significantly improve 

 the quality of the satellite retrievals for both communities. 



A second example of utility would be in the area of in situ 

 sensor design. The research community is moving toward less 

 capable (in terms of signal-to-noise ratios, number of spectral 

 bands, etc.) sensors that are dramatically less expensive. Such 

 sensors are suitable for deployment in greater densities (to 

 resolve small-scale variability ) or in areas where loss of sensors 

 is likely (such as in areas of heavy fishing activity). These 

 sensors would benefit both the operational and research 

 communities. We encourage NAVOCEANO to continue to 

 foster the exchange of information on sensor development. 



d. Findings 



"t!ie findings relative to ocean optics and biohimisescenci^iue: 



• NAVOCEANO should continue to foster the exchange of 

 infonnation on optical sensor development since tiiis drives 

 data collection capabilities for both civilian and Navy 

 communities. 



» Coastal studies are a prime example of how the Navy 

 operational and civilian research communities would benefit 

 by joint research progKms, thus taking advantage of the post- 

 cold-w ar Navy foojs on littoral regions. 



4. MARINE BATHYMETRY 



a. Data Description 



Bathymetry is the science of measuring ocean depths to 

 determine seafloor topography. Seafloor bathymeuy, and 

 global topography in general, represents the most fundamental 

 of geophysical databases. Oceanographic. meteorological, and 

 geologic studies depend upon accurate descriptions of 

 morphology to understand the magnitude and lateral scale of 

 variability within the earth, ocean, and atmosphere. In the past, 

 national and international bodies have sought to incorporate as 

 much survey data as possible to generate reliable and accurate 

 maps of the seafloor. NAVOCEANO has assisted in this 

 important process by making survey data available and has 

 supported unclassified databases such as the Digital Bathymetric 

 Database (DBDB). 



The Navy has been interested in ocean depth not only because 

 of navigation, but because of the channeling of ocean signals 

 and noise. To support acoustic analyses, the bathymetry of the 

 world has been digitized into databases with five arc minute 

 grids, with some geographic areas at 2, 1, 0.5, and 0.1 arc 

 minute resolutions. All ocean areas north of 78°S are covered, 

 as well as depths up to the 200 m contour line near the coasts 

 (shallower depths are interpolated values). Bathymetric values 

 are in uncorrected meters measured acoustically and are referred 

 to a sound speed of 1,500 meters/sec. 



Figure 25 shows three dimensional representations of ocean 

 bathymetry of a small test area of the northeast Pacific at two 

 resolutions, high resolution (0. 1 arc minute) and low resolution 

 ( 1 .0 arc minute). Bathymetric data having a resolution of 0. 1 arc 



33 



