Key points
- The Bluelink project, a collaboration with the Bureau of Meteorology, is a platform to better understand and predict ocean conditions.
- Australian industry sectors like transport, fisheries, security, and tourism use Bluelink to increase safety and reduce risk to the environment.
- Bluelink has been producing real-time ocean forecasts on everything from local beach conditions to global oceanic circulation for more than 20 years.
This edition of the Navy News, from 4 December 2003, is looking a bit yellow and a tad dog-eared. But the Bluelink project it announces is still going from strength to strength, more than two decades later.
Bluelink is an ocean modelling partnership between us, the Bureau of Meteorology (the Bureau) and the Australian Government Defence (Defence). Its mission is to study the dynamic and sparsely observed ocean, from seabed to surface.
This research has improved our understanding of ocean dynamics. It can forecast marine conditions ranging from local beaches to regional currents and waves, and oceanic circulation on a global scale.
The extraordinary impact of the partnership has been recognised in this year's Australian Museum Eureka Prizes. Bluelink is a finalist in the Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia category.
So, how does Bluelink work? And what has it achieved over the past two decades?
Bluelink provides accurate ocean forecasting
Ocean forecasting became possible in the early 2000s. This was due to advances in ocean observing, ocean modelling, data assimilation and high-performance computing. For example, satellites were able to provide new observations of the sea surface height and ocean dynamics from space.
Argo floats arrived at roughly the same time, giving scientists a way to measure the temperature and salinity of the ocean to 2000 metres deep. On top of that, greater computing capacity offered a means of creating sophisticated models of the ocean at a global scale.
Two decades ago, there were few Argo floats in Australian waters. Today, there are thousands of them bobbing on the ocean, gathering data around the world. Argo Australia, managed by the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), now launches more than 50 new floats per year.
The Bluelink team brings together information from the Argo floats and satellites with observations of the sea surface temperature and data from sensors on moorings, ships and robotic gliders.
With this combination of state-of-the art technology, the team can deliver detailed estimates about how the ocean circulates.
Understanding the past
As well as generating forecasts, the Bluelink partnership created a global ocean hindcast. Known as the Bluelink ReANalysis - or BRAN - the hindcast provides significant insights into ocean circulation.
The goal of each BRAN experiment is to accurately reproduce the three-dimensional ocean circulation of temperature, salinity and sea-level for the last several decades.
BRAN data has been used to underpin research in many different areas. From the analysis of extreme oceanographic events to studies of ocean processes and variability, and assessing the effectiveness of observation systems.
Making it safer to work at sea
Understanding and predicting ocean conditions is essential for people and organisations working at sea.
Bluelink provides valuable information about the ocean daily, and predictions over a week ahead. This powerful tool helps ensure Navy vessels are safe at sea, and gives them a tactical advantage. It helps Defence understand how sound travels through water. This helps it use sonar more effectively, to tell where other vessels might be.
Bluelink has helped improve the safety and structural design of offshore oil and gas rigs. This helps minimise down-time and manage oil spills.
The models can help inform searches for maritime debris. This includes shipping containers that fall overboard from ships in storms.
It is also relied on by fisheries and other marine managers. They use it to determine how changes in ocean conditions - such as currents, water temperature and salinity - influence fisheries and ecosystems.
Over the past two decades, the Bluelink partnership has created economic and social benefits across government, science, industry, and communities.
What’s next for Bluelink?
Delivering improvements decade on decade, Bluelink’s next research insights will help build even more realistic models. Advances in the collection of observational data will also enhance accuracy.
Scientists are maximising the value of sparse observations, combining them with models through sophisticated data assimilation.
New technologies like machine learning, drones, and the Surface Water and Ocean Topography spacecraft launched in 2022, are increasing the detail and accuracy of forecasts too.
Sustained impact for a safer future
Australia is an island nation, and the ocean is our border. Understanding how the ocean behaves and impacts maritime operations is key to keeping Australia safe.
Since it began in 2003, Bluelink has been advancing fundamental ocean science. Today, it offers integral inputs into the operational decisions that Defence makes every day.
As Bluelink celebrates its 20th anniversary, the project’s sustained success has been recognised through its nomination as a finalist in the Eureka Prizes. Our partnership with Defence and the Bureau leverages each of our strengths to increase our understanding of the marine environment and to ensure safer waters.