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Steps towards a global and interdisciplinary deep ocean observing system*

Nathalie
Zilberman
UCSD/SIO
Talk
(Invited)
The deep ocean is the least explored region on Earth. Due to sparse sampling, estimates of deep
ocean variability show large uncertainties comparable to the signal. Increasing deep ocean
sampling is urgently needed to monitor the Earth Energy Imbalance, close the sea level budget,
understand ocean deoxygenation, acidification and mixing, and improve ocean reanalysis and
general circulation model performance. Developing a fit for purpose deep ocean observing
system requires taking action to:
1. Develop high quality sensors able to resolve fluctuations in deep ocean temperature,
salinity, steric sea level, deoxygenation, acidification, and mixing
2. Optimize combined shipboard and autonomous platform sampling in order to (i) resolve
variability at local-to-global and seasonal-to-interannual scales, and (ii) increase sampling
density in dynamically important regions
3. Prioritize independent observations and reference measurements for data quality control
and correction
4. Promote synergies between in situ and remote observing systems to trace climate changes
from the surface to the deep ocean
The objective of this presentation is not to be exhaustive but rather to start the discussions
needed towards the design of a global and interdisciplinary deep ocean observing system.
Presentation file