SATURN
Essential infrastructure for CMOP research, education and knowledge transfer, the Science and Technology University Research Network (SATURN) is an emerging end-to-end coastal margin observatory.
The SATURN design calls for an ambitious, configurable integration of heterogeneous modeling systems, observation networks and cyber-infrastructure, offering transformative opportunities to understand processes, variability and change in the Columbia River coastal margin.
Modeling system: We envision the SATURN modeling system as a combination of inter-disciplinary forecasts, simulation databases, and scenario simulations, ultimately covering all Pacific Northwest estuaries and connecting shelf. Early emphasis is on the Columbia River (CR) estuary-plume-shelf system, and on simulations of 3D baroclinic circulation.
Circulation products of the SATURN modeling system include daily forecasts, simulation databases extending from 1999 to present, and simulations of scenarios of large-scale (tectonic and climate) change and of anthropogenic impact.
Observation network: We envision the SATURN observation network as a combination of fixed and mobile assets, enabling the generation of both sustainable long-term time series at anchor locations and episodic highly-resolved spatial surveys.
SATURN observational assets are inherently inter-disciplinary, and will extend across the Columbia River estuary, plume and shelf.
Cyber-infrastructure: The SATURN modeling system and observation network are integrated via an end-to-end computational infrastructure. This infrastructure provides real-time access to observation network data as well as timely access to a wide range of quality-controlled data, derived data-products, and modeling system outputs.
Affiliations: SATURN is built upon and substantially expands a pioneering coastal margin observatory, CORIE. SATURN and CORIE are affiliated networks of the Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observation Systems (NANOOS), the Pacific Northwest component of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS).
