Interdisciplinary Integration and Research Directions

CMOP possesses a wide range of interdisciplinary research assets

- Biological

- Chemical

- Physical

Joined by a shared vision for understanding the dynamics of the river to ocean system through observations and modeling

2

As described in earlier presentations, there are multiple river - ocean gradients in properties and processes:

hydrographic temperature and salinity

micro- and macronutrientsmicrobial assemblages and activity

production, gene expressionprimary producers and consumers

rates of production and loss

3

As outlined this morning, there are multiple river - ocean gradients in properties and processes:

hydrographic (temperature, salinity)macro- and micronutrientsmicrobial communities

microbial activity (production, gene expression)primary producers and consumers

rates of production and loss

However, the full river-ocean gradient in any property or process is not continuous, but a sequence of steps and plateaus whose boundaries shift in response to variations in forcing

4

Research Questions

CMOP research questions are organized around these gradients and their changing expression under different conditions of wind, tides, and river discharge. For example,

- How do the location and slope of the gradients between regions (plume, estuary, river) respond to variations in forcing?

5

Research Questions

Our questions are organized around these gradients and their changing expression under different conditions of wind, tides, and river discharge.

- How do the location and slope of the gradients between regions (plume, estuary, river) respond to variations in forcing?

- To what extent does each region (plume, estuary, river) maintain its ecological identity across the range of forcing?

6

Research Questions

Our questions are organized around these gradients and their changing expression under different conditions of wind, tides, and river discharge.

- How do the location and slope of the gradients between regions (plume, estuary, river) respond to variations in forcing?

- To what extent does each region maintain its ecological identity across the range of forcing?

- Which key parameters serve as indicators of change? How well do those indicators function across different time scales?

7

Research Foci for Years 3 and 4

Three broad research categories form the foundation for CMOP research planned for the next two years.

- We will use fixed and mobile platforms (autonomous + ships) to identify and quantify temporal and spatial variability

- We will assess the effect of large scale forcing on regional river to ocean processes

- We will improve our capability to forecast river to ocean conditions through extensive data - model comparisons

The following examples illustrate a few of research directions that fall within these categories.

8

Spatial and temporal variability

Comparison of surface velocities near the CR mouth based on HF radar and a mooring

N

S

N

S

90 days

30 days

Note the altered pattern of velocities beginning 19 July. Tidal influence on velocities disappeared for 4 days.

from KosroJuly 20045 10 15 20

9

Integration across the domain reveals the

spatial pattern in variance of surface

velocities

Temporal variation in radial velocity along an arc located 20 km from the river mouth

Spatial and temporal variability

Aug 2005 252423Ra

dia

l v

el

in 2

0 k

m b

in

S/N

10

Remote forcing

Regional domain

Alongshore velocity depends on source of wind forcing

observed

Modeled with remote forcing

Remote wind stress

Local wind stress

from Samelson and Rivas

Modeled with local forcing

Remote forcing nfluences boundary conditions for CMOP circulation and

ecosystem models

11

Nov 13, 2007

1800 local

2m salinity prediction

observed by vessel

Our observational framework provides for model validation and testing using data from fixed and mobile components.

Essential for CMOP ecosystem and circulation models.

Model - data comparisons

Adaptive sampling based on model predictions is a key CMOP goal

12

Research Foci for Years 3 and 4

Three research components form the foundation for CMOP research in the next two years

- We will use fixed and mobile platforms (autonomous + ships) to identify and quantify temporal and spatial variability, particularly in the context of microbial communities and processes

- We will assess the effect of large scale forcing on regional river to ocean processes in the circulation and ecosystem models

- We will improve our capability to forecast river to ocean conditions through extensive data - model comparisons for circulation and ecosystem models