Projeto Azul: Operational Oceanography in an Active Oil and Gas Area Southeastern Brazil

This chapter describes the ocean observation and data assimilation modules of Projeto Azul, a three-year operational oceanography pilot program for Santos Basin (southeastern Brazil from 23oS to 28oS) started in 2013. Systematic data collection in the Brazil Current meander and Cabo Frio eddy was performed by satellite-tracked surface drifters (surface currents, temperature, and atmospheric pressure), floats (vertical profiles of temperature and salinity), and gliders (vertical profiles of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorophyll, and dissolved organic matter) creating an unforeseen data density in the region. The first tests of a 4D-VAR data assimilation scheme on a ROMS regional grid suggest an improvement of the ocean modeling short-range forecasts for the Santos Basin.