High and medium resolution ocean models for the Great Barrier Reef

This article describes 3D medium (4km) and high (500m) horizontal resolution ocean models developed for the Coral Sea with a particular focus on the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. The medium resolution model is underpinning a 10 year reanalysis and a forecast demonstrator system for maritime monitoring. The ocean models have been developed to assist the management of the Great Barrier Reef given the existence of a number of stressors acting on the reef. The presented models aim to represent physical stressors that include thermal, salinity and flooding rivers. The river discharge is tracked by passive and age tracers. They can provide concentrations to identify the area/volume influenced by flood water. This paper gives an overview of the forward non-linear models with the aim to assess their performance.