The German OPMOD pilot-system-an integrated coastal and estuarine monitoring and modelling system

The EUREKA-project EUROMAR-OPMOD has now reached its phase of first application. The basic idea of OPMOD comprises the combination of necessarily spotlike measurements in space and time with precise circulation and transport models. Thereby synoptic and high-resolution images of dynamical processes in marginal seas, coastal waters, estuaries, and inland waters are achieved continuously both as per actual state and as short-term forecasts. Furthermore the models are combined with numerous tools for validation, assessment, retrieval, dissemination, and archiving of measurement data and model results to a complete information system of aquatic environments. The German OPMOD pilot system is presently applied to the tidal river Elbe and the Hamburg Port. The basic concepts for application and realization, first experiences, and results as well as further possibilities for exploitation of this system are described