Coupled Ocean Modeling Testbed Platform

Project Team

Lead Principal Investigator: Kehui (Kevin) Xu, LSU

Project Overview and Results

Coupled ocean modeling testbed platform for physics and contaminant exchange through the river - estuary - ocean continuum, Louisiana State University: The overarching goal of this project is to further develop the coupling between a state-of-the-art process-based community land surface/hydrological model and a 3D community ocean circulation model to better predict temperature, salinity, water level, buoyancy, sediment, and contaminant transport through the River - Estuary - Ocean Continuum with the consideration of both barotropic and baroclinic processes. Major tasks in this proposed project include the coupling between ocean and hydrological models, coupling of contaminant and sediment transport modules. The coupled model will be applied to the testbed of Galveston Bay during Hurricane Harvey with a focus on how temperature, salinity and sediment concentration impact buoyancy and contaminant transport. Additionally, a prototype platform for operational models will be constructed. The readiness level in this proposed project will advance from RL4 (validation of system in the lab or equivalent) to RL7 (demonstration in a relevant environment) over a three-year period. Partners: NOAA/NWS/Office of Water Predict/National Water Center; NOAA/National Ocean Service/Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services; Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences Gloucester Point, Texas A&M University College Station and Texas A&M University Corpus Christi’ . Year 1: $310,262.00