Short-term forecasts of the Mediterranean Sea (Med-Biogeochemistry) are produced by the OGS ECHO research group by means of the MedBFM model system, which is off-line coupled to the NEMO-WW3-OceanVar hydrodynamic-wave model managed by the CMCC. Med-BFM system consists of the coupling between the OGSTM transport model and the Biogeochemical Flux Model (BFM). Additionally, the 3DVarBio is the data assimilation scheme for the correction of phytoplankton functional type and nutrient variables.
Spatial resolution is 1/24° horizontally (about 4.5 km), and vertically from 1.5 m at surface to decameters in deep layers (i.e., Z* 125 vertical layers).
The forecasting system is automatically run at the CINECA supercomputing centre (Bologna, Italy). Ten days of forecast are produced daily. Analysis is performed once a week, with assimilation of surface chlorophyll satellite observations (provided by the CMEMS Ocean Colour Thematic Assembly Centre managed by GOS-ISAC-CNR) and of in situ chlorophyll and nitrate from BGC-Argo floats (provided by the Coriolis Data Assembly Centre.
More information in the Quality Information Document for Med biogeochemistry analysis and forecast product.
Additional information on the MedBFM model system can be found in the following scientific papers:
- Salon, S., Cossarini, G., Bolzon, G., Feudale, L., Lazzari, P., Teruzzi, A., Solidoro, C., & Crise, A., 2019. Novel metrics based on Biogeochemical Argo data to improve the model uncertainty evaluation of the CMEMS Mediterranean marine ecosystem forecasts. Ocean Science, 15, 997–1022, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-15-997-2019
- Teruzzi, A., Bolzon, G., Salon, S., Lazzari, P., Solidoro, C., & Cossarini, G., 2018. Assimilation of coastal and open sea biogeochemical data to improve phytoplankton modelling in the Mediterranean Sea, Ocean Model., 132, 46-60, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2018.09.007
- Cossarini, G., Mariotti, L., Feudale, L., Teruzzi, A., D’Ortenzio, F., Tallandier, V., & Mignot, A., 2019. Towards operational 3D-Var assimilation of chlorophyll Biogeochemical-Argo float data into a biogeochemical model of the Mediterranean Sea, Ocean Model., 133, 112-128, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2018.11.005
- Lazzari, P., Solidoro, C., Salon, S., & Bolzon, G., 2016. Spatial variability of phosphate and nitrate in the Mediterranean Sea: a modelling approach, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 108, 39-52, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2015.12.006
Fig.1 - Scheme of the BFM model
For any additional information regarding the forecasting model browse the specific section or please contact echo@inogs.it