With a view to synergise and generate reliable coastal and ocean data and data products for supporting coastal and off-shore developmental activities and oceanographic research, the reorganised and revamp ed Ocean Observation and Information Services (OOIS) was established in 1997-98. The programme consists of four major elements projects, viz., Ocean Observing Systems, Ocean Information Services, Satellite and Coastal Oceanographic Research, and Ocean Modelling and Dynamics.
Ocean Observing Systems
The Ocean Observing Systems (OOS) programme is designed to acquire in-situ surface, meteorological and oceanographic data on real-time basis from the seas around India. The parameters being measured under the programme are surface winds, |
waves, pressure, temperature, sea surface temperature, salinity, t+emperature profiles, dissolved oxygen, hydrocarbons, nutrients, radio-activity, sea-level, etc. The state-of-the-art instruments like moored data buoys, drifting buoys, current meter arrays and tide gauges are deployed for measurements. In addition, validation of the satellite data would also be undertaken using the sea truth data generated under this programme.
Under the National Data Buoy Programme (NDBP) being implemented at National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai, 12 data buoys have been deployed in Indian seas. These data buoys have sensors to measure wind speed and direction, air pressure , air temperature, sea surface temperature, current speed and current direction and wave parameters. The buoys are equipped with Global Positioning System, beacon light and satellite transceiver. Few of these buoys are fitted with sensors to measure radioactivity, turbidity, chlorophyll, hydrocarbons and dissolved oxygen.
Ocean Information Services
In order to effectively generate ocean data products and disseminate them on operational basis, an Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) was set up at Hyderabad in February 1999 as an autonomous society under the Department of Ocean Development. Near real- time data and data products such as Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories, upwelling zones, maps, eddies, chlorophyll, suspended sediment load, coastal maps, etc., and need based ocean information consultancy services to the corporate sector, Central and State government agencies will be available under one roof. The Marine Data Centres (MDCs) which were set up under DOD’s National Ocean Information System (NOIS) Programme have been integrated with OIS. During 1998-99, generation and dissemination of SST and PFZ to 170 fish landing centres were continued. Also validation campaign of Modular Optoelectronic Scanner (MOS) algorithms for retrieval of chlorophyll data from the Indian ocean useful for validation campaign of the to-be launched Oceansat satellite, were continued.
Satellite Coastal And Oceanographic Research
The programme envisages development of algorithms, models and related capability for an operational retrieval of met-ocean parameters from satellite sensor. Satellite Coastal and Oceanographic Research (SATORE) programme will be relevant in the development of oceanic parameter retrieval techniques, study of Ocean processes and model forcing functions, studies on Bathymetry, marine atmosphere and boundary layer, Antarctic snow/ice sheet, biological oceanography and coastal environment, and data assimilation for numerical models and forecasting.
Ocean Modelling And Dynamics
Knowledge of ocean dynamics is a prerequisite for prediction of ocean state based on ocean models. During 1998-99, dynamics of marine ecosystem and air-sea exchange of carbon dioxide were studied using Modular Ocean Model. Air-sea interaction process for monsoon prediction was studied using ocean-atmosphere coupled model. A storm surge prediction model for estimating inland inundation in Andhra coast was developed and a seven component Nitrogen-based Ecosystem Model completed. The expenditure incurred for OOIS programme during 1998-99 was Rs 13.373 crore.
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