GCOOS
Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean
Observing System
Dr. William (Monty) Graham
The University of Southern Mississippi
Department of Marine Science
Stennis Space Center, Mississippi
Monty.Graham@usm.edu
Overview
• GCOOS and partners have observed and
monitored the Gulf for a decade
• GCOOS long-term strategic plan for observations
and monitoring
TABS Buoy image
• GCOOS and plan were tested in Courtesy
of TAMU GERG
DWH response
• Looking for collaborative
opportunities to maintain and
build on the strong foundation
Integrating Gulf Observations
GCOOS Data Portal http://data.gcoos.org
GCOOS Value to DWH Oil Spill Response
IOOS Glider Fleet Response – Image from Rutgers
HFR Coverage Near DWH – Currents
Data Assimilation from GCOOS Assets
DWH Lessons Learned – Focused Needs
Additional moorings in Eastern Gulf
and at cross-shelf transects at the 10-,
50-, 100-, 200-m isobaths
Complete Gulf-wide HFR network for
currents, trajectories, directing
responders
ADCP or other subsurface current
data of Loop Current and in Eastern
Gulf
(Image of existing oil and gas industry ADCPs
courtesy of NOAA NDBC)
Additional profiling AUVs providing
salinity-temperature-hydrocarbon data
GOM Observing System Plan
Gulfwide
HFR Network
Moorings and
AUV tracks
Hypoxia and
Harmful Algae
GOM Observing System Plan
• Stakeholder Driven
• Supports Ocean/Met Forecast and Predictions
• Support Long-Term Restoration through ecosystem
monitoring
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Expanded Water Quality
Expanded HAB Observing
Expanded Hypoxia Monitoring
Living Marine Resources (Fisheries, Marine
Mammals, Sea Turtles, Plankton, Seabirds)
– Habitat Change
– Integrative Monitoring for Restoration Projects
SWSS Image
WHO WILL FUND A GULF-WIDE
OBSERVATION SYSTEM?
9
Summary
• GCOOS and partners have a long history in, and
for, the Gulf of Mexico
• Need expressed during Deepwater Horizon
• Maintain a long-term and evolving strategic plan
for observations and monitoring
• Looking for collaborative opportunities to maintain
and build on this strong Gulf foundation
• Leveraging opportunities with long-term Gulf
restoration(?)