Abstract:
CoOP (Coastal Ocean Processes) is an organization meant to study major interdisciplinary scientific
problems in the coastal ocean. Its goal is "to obtain a new level of quantitative understanding of the processes
that dominate the transformations, transport and fates of biologically, chemically and geologically important matter on the continental margin". Central to obtaining this understanding will be advances in observing and
modeling the cross-shelf component of transport. More specific objectives are to understand 1) cross-margin
exchanges, 2) air sea exchanges, 3) benthic-pelagic exchanges, 4) terrestrial inputs and 5) biological and
chemical transformations within the water column. CoOP research will be carried out primarly through a
series of process-oriented field studies, each involving about two years of measurements. Each of these field
studies is to be initiated and defined through a community workshop. In addition to the process studies, CoOP
will also involve modeling, long time series, exploratory studies, remote sensing, technological innovation, data
archiving and communications. A CoOP pilot study has been approved for funding by the National Science
Foundation, and funding will begin in 1992. The CoOP science effort is thus already underway.
