The Coastal Observing System for Northern and Arctic Seas (COSYNA).

Abstract

The Coastal Observing System for Northern and Arctic Seas (COSYNA) was established in order to better un derstand the complex interdisciplinary processes of northern seas and the Arctic coasts in a changing environment. Partic ular focus is given to the German Bight in the North Sea as a prime example of a heavily used coastal area, and Svalbard as an example of an Arctic coast that is under strong pressure due to global change. The COSYNA automated observing and modelling sys tem is designed to monitor real-time conditions and provide short-term forecasts, data, and data products to help assess the impact of anthropogenically induced change. Observa tions are carried out by combining satellite and radar remote sensing with various in situ platforms. Novel sensors, instru ments, and algorithms are developed to further improve the understanding of the interdisciplinary interactions between physics, biogeochemistry, and the ecology of coastal seas. New modelling and data assimilation techniques are used to integrate observations and models in a quasi-operational sys tem providing descriptions and forecasts of key hydrographic variables. Data and data products are publicly available free of charge and in real time. They are used by multiple interest groups in science, agencies, politics, industry, and the public.