National Ocean Service

About: National Ocean Service is a government organization based out in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Algal bloom & Population. The organization has 500 authors who have published 643 publications receiving 46096 citations.

Saving the Last Unicorns: The Genetic Rescue of Florida’s Pillar Corals

Abstract: As stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) swept through the Florida Reef Tract, one of the most severely impacted species was the iconic pillar coral, Dendrogyra cylindrus. As the species’ population experienced a precipitous decline, a collaborative rescue project collected colony fragments for safekeeping at onshore and offshore nursery facilities. Between 2015 and 2019, a total of 574 fragments representing 128 genotypes were collected. These are currently dispersed among five facilities where they continue to provide opportunities to 1) refine best husbandry practices for D. cylindrus, 2) develop treatment options for SCTLD that have been adapted for use on other species, 3) maximize growth and fragmentation to provide the live tissue needed for eventual restoration, and 4) provide a source of parent colonies for assisted sexual reproduction and new genetic diversity. With the wild pillar coral population in Florida at the end of 2020 at less than 6% of its known 2014 population and continuing to decline, the rescued ex situ colonies represent the entirety of the restoration potential for this species in Florida.

Optimum Utilization of Positioning Data in SDS III

Abstract: A new, computerized hydrographic data acquisition and processing system, Shipboard Data System III (SDS III), is being designed and built for use by the National Ocean Service. An integrated positioning and navigation system is a critical element of this development. Design features include the ability to benefit from time-deskewed multiple lines of position from mixed sensor types (both electronic and manual), raw data quality evaluation including blunder removal and the use of signal strength data, high precision geodetic calculations, corrections for control and sensor offsets as well as for rare but difficult geometries, and the use of auxiliary speed and heading data in the application of advanced filtering and smoothing techniques for reduction of random noise and recognition of bias errors. Performance has been assessed for a variety of maneuvers via a track simulator which adds both vessel motions and sensor measurement noise. Results are extremely stable and robust. Measurement noise can be reduced by as much as a factor of three without adding significant biases, even on turns, while retaining actual random vessel motions. Operations can continue during complete losses of positioning data for limited but significant periods of time, including during maneuvers.

Sea surface temperature evaluation of the Coastal Ocean Forecast System

Abstract: The Coastal Ocean Forecast System (COFS) is an experimental forecast system for the U.S. East Coast that is based on operationally forcing the Princeton Ocean Model with daily forecast fluxes of momentum and heat derived from the meso-Eta atmospheric forecast model. The focus of this paper is on the skill assessment of COFS by comparing the 24-hour forecast sea surface temperature (SST) to available observations. For example, horizontal maps of predicted SST are qualitatively compared to remotely-sensed MCSST data. In addition, quantitative comparisons are made between the predicted SST and in situ observations from National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) fixed buoys. Time series from representative NDBC buoys and from the nearest model grid points are compared for a two year time period beginning October 1, 1993 and ending September 31, 1995. Root mean square differences and correlation coefficients assess the overall skill of the forecasts at the buoy locations, and standard cross-spectral techniques identify frequency bands of coherence between data and model. This preliminary evaluation suggests that there is some remarkable agreement between data and model; however, depending on the physical regime there is considerable room for improvement. Work presently underway is directed toward the assimilation of satellite-derived SST data, and also sea surface height (SSH) data derived from satellite altimeters, into the ocean model. It is anticipated that SST and SSH assimilation will result in improvements in forecast temperature and currents in the entire three-dimensional COFS domain.

Recent Advances in In-Situ Ocean Observation

Abstract: Ocean observation has evolved tremendously, from collection and exchange of weather and sea state information by ocean going ships in the late 19th century to today’s multisensor, multi-platform, multi-disciplinary, large scale observation networks. Data are now transmitted and disseminated automatically in real-time to a variety of user groups with significant social and economical implications. This paper provides an overview of representative advances in in-situ ocean observation during the past decade. Major driving forces and representative advances and trends in in-situ observation are described. Advances are discussed under the categories of observation infrastructure and major measurement system components including sensor, platform, data collection and telemetry, and power supply. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a major participant of the global ocean observation programs and examples of its contributions and activities are introduced.

Sea level variation

Abstract: Published values for the long-term, global mean sea level rise determined from tide gauge records range from about one to three mm per year. The scatter of the estimates appears to arise largely from the use of data from gauges located at convergent tectonic plate boundaries where changes of land elevation give fictitious sea level trends, and the effects of large interdecadal and longer sea level variations on short (less than 50+ years) or sappy records. In addition, virtually all gauges undergo subsidence or uplift due to isostatic rebound from the last deglaciation at a rate comparable to or greater than the secular rise of sea level. Modeling rebound by the ICE-3G model of Tushingham and Peltier (1990) and avoiding tide gauge records in areas of converging tectonic plates produces a highly consistent set of long sea level records. A global set of 21 such stations in nine oceanic regions with an average record length of 76 years during the period 1880-1980 yields the global sea level rise value 1.8 mm/year +/- 0.1. Greenhouse warming scenarios commonly forecast an additional acceleration of global sea level in the next 5 or 6+ decades in the range 0.1-0.2 mm/yr2. Because of the large power at low frequencies in the sea level spectrum, very long tide gauge records (75 years minimum) have been examined for past apparent sea level acceleration. For the 80-year period 1905-1985, 23 essentially complete tide gauge records in 10 geographic groups are available for analysis. These yielded the apparent global acceleration -0.011 (+/- 0.012) mm/yr2. A larger, less uniform set of 37 records in the same 10 groups with 92 years average length covering the 141 years from 1850-1991 gave 0.001 (+/- 0.008) mm/yr2. Thus there is no evidence for an apparent acceleration in the past 100+ years that is significant either statistically, or in comparison to values associated with global warming. Unfortunately, the large interdecadal fluctuations of sea level severely affect estimates of global sea level acceleration for time spans of less than about 50 years. This means that tide gauges alone cannot serve as a reliable leading indicator of climate change in less than many decades. This time required can be significantly reduced if the interdecadal fluctuations of sea level can be understood in terms of their forcing mechanisms, and then removed from the tide gauge records.