Physical processes, field estimation and an approach to interdisciplinary ocean modeling

This review is concerned with the estimation of physical fields and the use of such fields in interdisciplinary research and modeling. Field estimates via data assimilation meld observations and dynamics and provide an efficient means of representing the physical processes which influence biogeochemical, ecological, acoustical and other processes in the sea. High derivatives can be taken from dynamically adjusted fields. Thus balance of terms in model equations is possible, which allows the inference of dynamical processes from observations via the quantitative study of energy and vorticity budgets, productivity rates, etc. A general discussion of processes and methodology is followed by a detailed review of the ocean forecast system developed at Harvard University. The model sets and algorithms are first overviewed and then the relebant scientific and technical issues are illustrated by nowcasts, forecasts and simulations carried out in various locations in the world ocean.