Data Analysis and Data Assimilation

Data concerning ocean conditions are intrinsically vital information affecting coastal protection, shipping and the building and operation of offshore construction. In the Department of Data Analysis and Data Assimilation mathematical models which allow the calculation of ocean conditions based on wind data are being developed in world wide cooperation. Coupled with historic wind data records it is entirely possible to calculate sea conditions out of the past. Measurements taken from radar and buoys are used as control data to check the validity of the calculations.

In addition, the department analyzes radar images of the ocean's surface taken from satellites, as well as ships, in order to obtain definitive wave and wind information. Numerous institutions world-wide employ the programs that have resulted from these efforts for the daily analysis and prediction of ocean conditions. In climate research Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht researchers use the ocean conditions- model to estimate changes for the coming century.

A further area of focus for our efforts is the calculation of basic data for marine ecological examinations. The analysis of mass transport at sea is a necessary part of this work, since this is very heavily affected by conditions at sea. Included in these considerations is the drifting of sediments, as well as the nutrients and contaminants that adhere to them. Of equal importance are the properties of suspended matter found in the water. These have a tremendous influence on light irradiation and therefore on the development of plants and sea animals.