[Katsufumi Sato] Cyber ocean: next generation navigation system on the sea

Research Director

Katsufumi Sato

Katsufumi Sato

The University of Tokyo
Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute
Professor

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Outline

To understand physical interaction between the atmosphere and ocean, and for more accurate weather forecast, in situ measurements are essential. Now a day satellite remote sensing systems can provide information on water temperature, current, wind and wave. Combining these data in a supercomputer, numerical models nowcast/forecast atmosphere and ocean environments. Improvement in the accuracy of the numerical models requires additional measurements with higher spatial and temporal resolutions. However, measurements by existing satellite remote sensing and meteorological buoys are coarse spatially and temporally. Simultaneous measurements using several research vessels and buoys cost a lot to cover wider range of ocean. Here we propose a novel system using marine top predators such as seabirds, turtles and cetaceans as living meteorological buoys to monitor pelagic environments. We will deploy small recorders on them to record their 3 dimensional tracks in air and water, with physical environments. Fine-scale data collected by the animals can provide us valuable information to fill the gaps in terms of both time and space. As a result, we can expect to contribute for improvement in resolution and accuracy of the numerical simulation for nowcast/forecast environment boundary between atmosphere and ocean.

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