Pacific Ocean Synthesis

Here is a benchmark study of one significant stretch of the Pacific Ocean, the Southern California Bight. Extending from Point Conception to the Mexican border and out to the 200-mile limit, these waters have never before been investigated in such detail, from so many points of view, by such an eminent group of scientists. The twenty-five expert contributors summarize everything known about the physical, chemical, geological, and biological characteristics of the area in individual chapters; the volume concludes with a synthesis of the information presented. In addition, chapters are devoted to the influence of humans on the marine environment and to the various laws and governmental agencies concerned with protecting it. Because Southern California is so heavily populated and because the ocean is a major recreational area for its people, the information in this unique volume will be invaluable for the region's planners and decisionmakers as well as for all those who study the globe's marine resources and ecology.

The Pacific Arctic region is experiencing rapid sea ice retreat, seawater warming, ocean acidification and biological response. Physical and biogeochemical modeling indicates the potential for step-function changes to the overall marine ecosystem. This synthesis book was coordinated within the Pacific Arctic Group, a network of international partners working in the Pacific Arctic. Chapter topics range from atmospheric and physical sciences to chemical processing and biological response to changing environmental conditions. Physical and biogeochemical modeling results highlight the need for data collection and interdisciplinary modeling activities to track and forecast the changing ecosystem of the Pacific Arctic with climate change.

This United Nations report examines the current state of knowledge of the world's oceans, for policymakers, and provides a reference for marine science courses.

The past 20 years have provided us with an unprecedented ability to observe, monitor, and forecast the oceans. In situ and remotely sensed ocean observations in combination with ocean general circulation models using data assimilation and state estimation methods underpin climate applications. State estimation aims to provide a dynamically consistent estimation of ocean fields, of errors of these fields, and of certain model parameters such as mixing coefficients. Conversely, data assimilation tools have been developed predominantly for ocean prediction applications and ocean reanalyses. This chapter describes approaches used by state estimation and data assimilation systems in synthesizing observations and model dynamics. We highlight some applications, including their limitations for climate research, and address the challenges ahead in relation to the ocean observing system.