EIOURI Workshop No 1, 25-26 April 2013, JAMSTEC, Yokahama, Japan
Notes taken by Nick D’Adamo during the Physical Oceanography Breakout Session on 26 April
2013
Session led by Weidong Yu
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The session aimed to condense the broad range of issues, items, ideas raised during the
workshop into a more manageable smaller set of consolidated specific research objectives.
There will be a position paper developed throughout the three workshops (Japan ~Apr 2013,
Qingdao ~ Nov 2013 and Bergen ~June 2014).
The position paper will include a ‘gap analysis’ based on the review of the progress of major
historical research projects in the Indian Ocean and proposals to address the gaps.
The paper itself, or a subsequent associated document, will constitute the EIOURI ‘Science
and Implementation Plan’, which will be submitted to CLIVAR and IMBER for endorsement.
The scientific motivation behind the Eastern Indian Ocean Upwelling Research Initiative is to
look into the Eastern Indian Ocean coastal from the point of view of basin and/or global
prospects. The key consolidated research objectives include the dynamic linkage between
the Eastern Indian Ocean upwelling variations and the basin scale processes in the Indian
Ocean and beyond, and the ecological and ecosystem impacts of the Eastern Indian Ocean
Upwelling.
o In this context a few sub-points were made:
1. The linkage, over various time scales (e.g. intra-seasonal to inter-annual),
between the equatorial processes and the upwelling variations, where the
Kelvin wave plays the central role.
2. Linkages between the open and coastal/marginal seas, with emphasis on
the circulation transport of the mass and ecosystem characters from the
Java-Sumatra upwelling region out to the open ocean.
3. Assessment of the Eastern Indian Ocean upwelling in CGCMs (e.g. CMIP-3
and CMIP-5). If bias, what is the consequence on climate modelling,
prediction and projection?
4. What is the role of meso-scale eddy in transporting nutrient upward and
offshore?
Targeted field work will have to be a key aspect of EIOURI.
Atmospheric processes will need to be incorporated in the research in terms of the two-way
coupling between upwelling and atmospheric processes.
‘Feedback’ between Atmospheric forcings and SST is an issue.
Multi-scale variations of upwelling off Java Sumatra, respectively, needs to be examined.
Importance of the relationship between IOD and upwelling should be noted.
Barrier Layer Dynamics is important. Need field observations to examine this issue.
Microstructure measurements may be useful.
Need to encourage tide data being recorded in the regions of interest to EIOURI to be made
available by relevant Governments.
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The current EIOURI group requires a more balanced technical representation (noted in
respect to the need to invite a wider spectrum of relevant scientists at forthcoming
workshops), eg:
o Modelling specialists.
 Noted that Western Australian / Australian modelling community has been
active in modelling upwelling related dynamics.
o (added note post workshop by Nick ... Dr Ming Feng (IOP)
and Prof Chari Pattiaratchi Uni of Western Australia useful
references in this context).
o Vertical mixing specialists. Need to reconcile dynamics of vertical advection and
vertical diffusion – potentially with complementary micro-structure
measurements/analytical techniques – both to respectively support characterisation
and modelling.
o Noted that the Mirai has done this type of work.
o Noted that vessels undertaking observations for moorings (eg RAMA) could easily
accommodate vertical mixing specialists.
Vertical dynamics (physical and bio-geochemical) in meso-scale eddies a key issue.
o In this context, noted that Leeuwin Current eddies have received active attention
(field an analytical, physical and biological) in research over the past decade. Special
Volume of Deep Sea Research mentioned in this context.
 (added note post workshop by Nick - Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical
Studies in Oceanography · Volume 54, Issues 8–10, April–May 2007...)
o Also noted that IOP and SIBER both have specialists as members in this context.
Internal Waves contribute to upwelling at the shelf – an issue for EIOURI.
 (added note post workshop by Nick – detailed IW research underway at
University of Western Australia ... ref Prof Greg Ivey – laboratory, field and
analytical research of IWs off NW Shelf of Australia).
Noted that in respect to characterising the flux in the ITF, Australia (through IMOS Australia)
has in place a line of six moorings between NW Australia and Timor Leste.
To complement fully equipped vertical stations (moorings) in upwelling zones, mention was
made of the potential use of cheap thermistor loggers on strings, with the potential to have
greater coverage in cost-effective mode. Scoping would be required.
Why does the MJO vary in intensity as it propagates past Indonesia?: noted that the MJO
intensity has a local peak west of Sumatra, then locally reduces off Java, to increase again
south of Bali – with the reasons for this unresolved. Related question – the mixed layer
depth seems to vary along with this variability, with a question arising as to the role of the
Barrier Layer in this context.
Kelvin Waves and Rossby Waves and related equatorial / coastal linkages. Issues relating to
reflection. Noted J McCreerey’s current investigations in this context.
Need to resolve the differences between inter and intra-seasonal Kelvin Wave dynamics.
Participants all emphasised the lack of coastal observation networks in the EIOURI context.
o EIOURI should produce an aspirational observational plan (eg such as the IndOOS
schematic from the IOP Implementation Plan) and this could/should also be
submitted to IIOE-2 as a contribution.
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Important – critical that the physical considerations be developed and linked with those
relating to the biology (ie from the complementary Biology breakout session of this
workshop).
Note importance of having a broad scope – to include social, economic, environmental
considerations and/or relevancies of the EIOURI research.
Source of nutrients...discern the flux pathways via the different types of nutrient transport
(eg currents = advection; eddies = advection + upwelling)
Temporal issues – time that upwellings keep nutrients in the photic zone
Role of meso-scale eddies in larval dynamics.
o Again – Deep Sea Research II a good reference.
A key mystery and potential cross-cutting research focus for EIOURI is the issue of the S B F
Tuna spawning area between Java / N W Australia. Why such a localised occurrence? What
might the role of geographically idiosyncratic bio-physical processes be? Examine tagging
data. This should/will be a major specific research focus for EIOURI.
IIOE-2 and the role of EIOURI stakeholders to act as advocates for a high level
coordination/imprimatur to be given to the IIOE-2. It was felt that this would be a positive
development in that it would translate down as broad support for EIOURI in EIOURI
participants’ respective countries..
o In this context, it was felt that a constructive option would be for such a proposition
to be tabled at the IOC’s 27th Assembly meeting (25/6-5/7/13).
o Specifically, this could well involve IOC taking on the principal driving/coordination
role for IIOE-2 working in partnership with entities such as SCOR, IOGOOS etc. This
would effectively equate to Intergovernmental endorsement.
o The aspiration here would be that EIOURI members would then find it easier to
advocate to other institutions in their own countries to become materially engaged
in supporting EIOURI under the imprimatur that would be implied as part of the IOC
endorsement of IIEO-2.
o Workshop participants resolved to discuss this issue and advocate for the IOC
endorsement model– they would speak to their own respective national IOC
delegations on this issue.
o Further discussion on this issue is planned for the IIOE-2 Reference Group meeting in
Hyderabad 14-15 May 2013. The EIOURI context will be represented in those
discussions (NB W Yu and Y Masumoto will be at the Hyderabad meeting).
Securing dedicated shiptime for EIOURI was raised as a key issue. This would be a major
discussion item at the Nov 2013 workshop (Qingdao).
The form of the EIOURI report (as the major output from the three workshops) was
discussed...its spectrum should be bio-physical.
o A scientific paper was favoured. Weidong and Yukio will prepare a draft paper
framework and distribute it for discussion after the Hyderabad IIOE-2 meeting.
o Either it would constitute a Science and Implementation Plan for EIOURI or be the
basis for one.
o Discrete sections would have principal authors, with co-authorship.
The next workshop and having a more balanced technical participant spread was discussed,
including:
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Modellers
Specialists in contemporary ocean observation techniques (eg gliders)
Fisheries experts
And others – as members advise or interest from new participants is received over
the coming months
Finally, it was emphasised that the EIOURI initiative should be open to all who are interested
and that future workshops would be open.
END