Previous analysis of the cclme OS found that while the existing system can be improved through augmentation, the present system offers the potential today for model-based OA products that are…

This federal Project Grant award of $1,049,821 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Ocean Acidification Program (CFDA 11.017) aims to develop and evaluate ocean acidification-relevant data products for the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME). The key objectives are to:

1. Develop two sets of ocean acidification products for the CCLME based on data assimilation procedures and statistical estimates of carbonate variables for the periods 2011-2026 and 2019-2026.
2. Obtain new, independent glider transect observations to assess these products and characterize their errors.
3. Conduct observing system evaluations to assess the impact of the existing CCLME observing network and the new glider transects.
4. Communicate the results to stakeholders.

The University of California, Santa Cruz is the prime awardee, with a sub-award to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute to provide glider observations and support stakeholder engagement activities. The project will run from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027.

Previous analysis of the cclme OS found that while the existing system can be improved through augmentation, the present system offers the potential today for model-based OA products that are constrained by ocean observations through DA. The project goals are (1,2) to develop two different sets of OA-relevant products for the cclme based on formal DA procedures in combination with statistical estimates of carbonate variables for the years 2011-2026 and 2019-2026, (3) obtain new, independent glider transect observations of the region to assess these products and characterize their errors, (4) carry out observing system evaluations to formally assess the impact of the existing cclme network and the new glider transects supported through this project, and (5) to communicate results broadly and specifically to interested stakeholders. This study will use an established CCS implementation of the regional ocean modeling system that includes physics, biogeochemistry, and carbonate system dynamics and a 4-dimensional variational DA method. Project members will engage with regional stakeholders, fishery scientists, and ocean observing system coordinators to ensure that the study focuses on relevant geographical regions and metrics and that project results are disseminated and shared to interested communities. The central and northern california ocean observing system (cencoos) supports and coordinates the central portion of the cclme OS as well as delivery of information in near real-time to regional stakeholders. They will CO-develop metrics and data products to best optimize the observing system, in particular the underwater glider network, to address OA needs within central california.