Frontiers in Ocean Observing: Documenting Ecosystems, Understanding Environmental Changes, Forecasting Hazards

Abstract

Scientists observe the ocean’s complex and interwoven physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes to understand the numerous ways in which the ocean sustains life and provides benefits to society, and to forecast events that affect humankind and the planet. They use a range of instruments to gather data, from simple nets and thermometers to sophisticated sensors aboard autonomous vehicles that transmit data back to laboratories nearly instantaneously. Some instruments are tethered to ships or moored to the seafloor, and others drift with ocean currents, move autonomously, or are controlled from land. There are also specialized satellites, aircraft, and drones that carry ocean observing sensors. Observations are made over hours to days to years in all parts of the global ocean, from the tropics to the poles, from the coasts to the open ocean, and from the seafloor to its surface waters. The many different types of ocean observations allow scientists to detect and track pollutants and toxic substances such as oil slicks, plastics, and other marine debris; to document ocean warming and acidification as well as changes in ocean circulation and ecosystem health; and to better forecast hazards such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, ocean heatwaves, flooding, and harmful algal blooms.