CMEMS Service Evolution: Potential impacts of the 21-SE-CALL1 Projects
1st Service Evolution Call for Tenders
A first call for tenders was issued in fall 2015. Twelve 2-yr projects were selected for the period March 2016-February 2018. The R&D performed in these projects will impact CMEMS systems and products in the following years through:
- The addition of new products in CMEMS catalogue during 2018-2021:
Observations from European high-frequency radars will be delivered by CMEMS during 2018-2021. High-frequency radars provide observations of ocean surface currents over coastal areas with high spatial and temporal resolution that are needed for many applications related to ocean surface transports such as hydrodynamical characterization and search and rescue activities.
Data on phytoplankton functional types derived from satellite surface chlorophyll observations will be produced on near-real time at global scale. Observation-derived phytoplankton functional types are of particular interest for the ecosystem modelling community, including for assimilation in and evaluation of biogeochemical models. They should contribute to improve the capability of operational systems to simulate the biogeochemical ocean state and to enhance the capability of CMEMS to monitor indicators of the health of the ocean.
Finally, micronekton products will be distributed by CMEMS to better address the marine resources area of benefit. Micronekton is a prey for most large marine species that are either exploited or protected. As such, it appears as a key ecosystem component at mid-trophic level to understand and model the habitats and population dynamics of most large marine species.
- An upgrade of CMEMS systems to produce the best possible ocean information and/or to prepare the next generation of operational systems:
Advances from Service Evolution projects could lead to upgrades of CMEMS operational modelling systems through:
- Enhanced representation of coupling effects between ocean-wave-sea-ice-atmosphere components (including Stokes-Coriolis drift, surface wave induced mixing, modified momentum exchanges, heat and freshwater exchanges, floe advection by currents, floe lateral melting, sea ice drift due to wave loss of momentum in sea ice).
- Direct upgrades of CMEMS operational forecasting systems through a more complete representation of dynamical processes in ocean and wave models.
- Upgraded data assimilation capabilities of satellite daytime sea surface temperature observations, of satellite derived phytoplankton functional types, of multi-platforms biogeochemical variables delivered from satellite and BGC-Argo floats, and of high-resolution observations.
- Enhanced capabilities in regional ocean uncertainty quantification and model ensemble consistency verification to move toward ensemble assimilation capabilities.
The corresponding gradual scientific and technical improvements of CMEMS integrated systems will contribute to deliver ocean forecasts and reanalyses of increased accuracy for a better marine environment monitoring.
In addition, CMEMS products have been analysed in several projects to lead to:
- Improved estimates of ocean surface currents through combined used of satellite altimetry and sea surface temperature observations.
- Estimates of new derived variables (e.g. vertical velocities in the upper ocean using a quasi-geostrophy framework, frontogenetic terms) to bring more knowledge on ocean dynamics.
- A better characterization of the mesoscale eddy activity in the Mediterranean Sea.
The projects have also provided a better scientific understanding on ocean dynamics, which provides insights on the processes for which an enhanced representation in systems could allow a better representation and monitoring of the ocean state.