Inga Hense & Hans Burchard

What is GOTM ?
GOTM is a Public Domain water column model with a
library of state-of-the-art turbulence closure models
GOTM has a module with biogeochemical models ranging
from NPZ-type to complex ecosystem models such as
ERSEM and chemical models (IRON, ROLM)
GOTM turbulence and bio modules are integrated into 3D
circulation models
GOTM has a large user community
GOTM has a website with source code, documentation and
scenarios for download
GOTM has a graphical user interface (GOTM-GUI)
Inga Hense & Hans Burchard
Online since 1999, 50000 logins, mostly from Canada & US
Inga Hense & Hans Burchard
GOTM Physics
Prognostic equations for current velocity, salt,
temperature, turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and TKE
dissipation rate (or other length scale)
Horizontal gradients neglected or parameterised
Surface forcing via standard bulk formulae
Simple bi-modal light absorption
Effects of surface wave breaking considered
Good quantitative reproduction of field observations
of turbulence
Inga Hense & Hans Burchard
Surface dynamics in the Baltic Proper simulated with GOTM
Reissmann et al., 2007
Inga Hense & Hans Burchard
GOTM-turb module in 3D models
ROMS: generic model recoded from GOTM
MOM-4: turbulence module integrated
POLCOMS: turbulence module integrated
FVCOM: turbulence module integrated
MOHID: turbulence module integrated
OPA: test implementations by different groups
BSH-model: implementation under work
Inga Hense & Hans Burchard
Biogeochemical models in GOTM
Implementation constraints:
Large number of models possible
Easily extendable
Large choice for numerical solvers for r.h.s.
Integration into 3D models supported
Implemented models
NPZD, Fasham, ERGOM, IRON, ROLM, ERSEM, Cyano Life
Cycle, SPM, ...
New solvers for r.h.s. developed for GOTM-BIO
Positive definite Modified Patankar solvers (Burchard et al.,
2003, 2005)
Positive definite Extended Modified Patankar solvers
(Bruggeman et al., 2006)
See Burchard et al. (2006) for an overview
Inga Hense & Hans Burchard
Surface nutrient from NPZD model in Northern North Sea with different solvers
Explicit solver at long time steps (left) does not obey nutrient limitation. Stiff solver (right,
Burchard et al. [2003, 2005]) is stable and accurate. Note the different scales.
Inga Hense & Hans Burchard
GOTM-Bio in 3D models: GETM-BFM for the North Sea

GETM:
3d-hydrodynamical model
BFM (<--ERSEM)
4 material cycles
(C,N,P,Si)
Dynamical modelling of
chlorophyll
Pelagic: phytoplankton,
micro & meso-
zooplankton, bacteria
Benthic: zoobenthos,
aerobic & anaerobic
bacteria
Diagenetic processes
D (m)
Bathymetry:
6 nautical mile grid
25 vertical layers
132*114 (dry+wet) points
Slide provided by Piet Ruardij (NIOZ)
Inga Hense & Hans Burchard
Simulation and animation by Piet Ruardij (NIOZ)
Surface Chlorophyll in the North Sea from GETM-BFM
Inga Hense & Hans Burchard
Bottom oxygen in late summer
Surface nitrate in summer
Surface nitrate before spring bloom
GETM-BFM for North Sea simulation
Results provided by Paul McCloghrie (CEFAS)