1998 Year of the Ocean Marine Science, Technology, and Research 



vastly improved capabilities for long-term forecasts. The investments and commitment needed 

 for such an effort, however, are serious and large. Also required will be long-term observations 

 for biological systems, including fisheries and environmental observations. 



The ocean (both deep ocean and coastal areas) is a highly dynamic envirormiental system 

 whose variability is of the same magnitude as the atmosphere, in part due to the coupling of the 

 two systems. In contrast to meteorology, there is no equivalent coherent synoptic monitoring and 

 prediction technology for the ocean. Different agencies collect partial data sets or provide 

 rudimentary predictions; but the effort is significantly below what is required. The data sets on 

 waves, tides, circulation, temperature, salinity, and biological indicators are of potential use to 

 governments and private industries concerned with hazard protection, transportation, recreational 

 and environmental planning. The feedback of oceanographic information to atmospheric models 

 should eventually improve weather forecasts as well. 



Coastal regions worldwide are susceptible to heavy damage from earthquakes, hurricanes, 

 storms and flooding. Recent hurricane damage on the east coast of the United States and recent 

 earthquakes in California have resulted in a collective billion dollars worth of property damage 

 and loss of commercial revenue. Several atmospheric and land-based observation programs that 

 exist cun'ently are dedicated towards sensing the formation of tropical storms and recording 

 seismic events along the California coast. Additional information can be gained from ocean 

 bottom and ocean surface deployed sensors, which when combined with the currently available 

 data, would greatly enhance the understanding of these destructive events and provide new 

 capabilities for disaster prediction throughout the globe. Bringing this all together and providing 

 a mechanism for development and coordination is the task of inter-governmental programs under 

 the sponsorship of several international agencies. The goal of ocean observations is to aid the 

 public good, by making use of past research results, motivating new research, and maintaining 

 operational observational programs. 



The development of ocean observations systems requires overcoming four important 

 hurdles: 



1 . The scientific determination of the proper parameters to measure, the correct 



instruments, and optimum locations for deployment; 



2. The design and manufacture of precise, reliable components and data links; 



3. The logistics of installation of the systems; and 



4. The establishment of data recording, storage, analysis, and distribution facilities. 



Quality Control 



One of the major advances to ocean science was made in the mid- 1800s when Matthew 

 Fontaine Maury standardized the methods for collecting data at sea. Today, because of the rapid 



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