06

Issue 6, 2022
COPERNICUS OCEAN
STATE REPORT
SUMMARY
ABOUT THE
COPERNICUS
OCEAN STATE
REPORT
The Copernicus Ocean State Report is an annual
publication of the Copernicus Marine Service,
established in 2014 by the European Commission for
Copernicus 1 and renewed in 2021 for Copernicus 2.
The report provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art,
scientific overview on the current conditions, natural
variations, and ongoing changes in the global ocean
and European regional seas. It is meant to act as a
reference for the scientific community, national and
international bodies, decision-makers, blue economy
actors, and the general public.
Using satellite data, in situ measurements and models,
this integrated description of the ocean state feeds into
a four-dimensional view (latitude, longitude, depth,
and time) of the Blue, Green, and White Ocean. It draws
on expert analysis written by over 150 scientific experts
from more than 30 international institutions. Scientific
integrity is assured through a process of independent
peer review in collaboration with the Journal of
Operational Oceanography.
BLUE OCEAN GREEN OCEAN
The Blue Ocean describes the physical The Green Ocean describes the biological
state of the ocean, including, for example, and biogeochemical state of the ocean,
sea surface temperature, sea level, ocean including, for example, chlorophyll-a
currents, waves, and sea winds, as well as concentrations and nutrients, as well as
ocean heat content, salinity, and density. ocean acidification and deoxygenation.
Page 05-08 Page 09-11
2 COPERNICUS OCEAN STATE REPORT SUMMARY
ABOUT
THIS
SUMMARY
This document is a summary of the 6th issue of the
annual Copernicus Ocean State Report, highlighting
the current state, variations, and ongoing changes
in the European regional seas and the global ocean.
Also drawing from the Copernicus Ocean Monitoring
Indicators, this summary is approached from several
angles over the past decades, and for recent years,
particularly for 2020.
It examines the evolving signal of the changing
ocean in line with climate change, analyses natural
variations and extreme events, and discusses the
influence these have on the ocean and climate.
Additionally, this summary presents a series of new
tools and indicators developed using Copernicus
Marine Service products and demonstrates
how accurate and timely information is key to
monitoring, understanding, and adapting to the
evolving ocean.
WHITE OCEAN
The White Ocean refers to the lifecycle of
floating ice within the polar regions, with
indicators including the extent, volume,
and thickness of sea ice in the Baltic Sea,
Arctic Ocean, and Antarctic Ocean.
Page 12-14
ISSUE 6
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR 2020
01.
The Northern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea experienced heavy storms, including
Storm Gloria, which impacted the Spanish Mediterranean coast, and Medicane Ianos,
which impacted the Greek peninsula, leading to significant economic and environmental
damages.
02.
Unusually high marine heatwaves severely impacted the Mediterranean Sea in 2020.
In 2019/20 the unseasonal winter heatwaves and unusually high ocean heat content in
the Baltic Sea caused the lowest recorded sea ice extent since 1720.
03.
In 2020, sea ice extent in the Arctic was, on average, the lowest ever observed by
satellite, and 2021 remained one of the years with the lowest sea ice levels. Sea ice
extent in the Antarctic, however, remained normal for winter and summer in 2020 and
2021.
04.
A new satellite-based indicator was developed in support of Europe’s SDG reporting,
which helps to identify and map potential eutrophication*, a primary issue facing
water quality in the European regional seas.
05.
New approaches for estimating sea level variability at hourly scales were used in 2020
to help forecast the form, timing, and duration of damaging storm surges in the Baltic
Sea.
06.
Global sea surface temperature has increased by approximately 0.016°C per year. This
has led to an average sea surface temperature increase of approximately 0.43°C since
1993, impacting marine ecosystems.
*For additional information on the state of eutrophication, see the Copernicus Ocean State Report Summary, Issue 5, pp.10.11
ISSUE 6 KEYBLUE
TAKEAWAYS
OCEAN 3
 IS KEY TO KNOWLEDGE
AND SOLLUTIONS FOR BLUE OCEAN
A CLEAR
OCEAN

A HEALTHY AND
RESILIENT OCEAN KEY TAKEAWAYS FOCUSING ON 2020
A PRODUCTIVE

01.
OCEAN

• BLUE GROWTH AND LOCAL

Unusually high marine heatwaves were recorded in the Mediterranean Sea
in 2020 and the Baltic Sea in the winter of 2019/2020. Marine heatwaves are
Implemented by

DEVELOPMENT
• SUPPORT COMMUNITIES
prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures and are damaging to
A PREDICTED
EXPOSED TO EXTREME EVENTS OCEAN TAKING US
CLOSER TO
• SUSTAINABLE FISHING AND AQUACULTURE A SAFE
OCEAN
AN INSPIRING
ENGAGING OCEAN
marine ecosystems.
AN ACCESSIBLE
OCEAN

• REDUCE MARINE POLLUTION

OCEA

• MAXIMISE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

• PREVENT LOSSES FROM HAZARDOUS EVENTS

02. Record-breaking severe storms were reported in the Mediterranean Sea in 2020,
RESEA N

• OCEAN LITERACY TO IMPROVE OCEAN HEALTH notably Storm Gloria and Medicane Ianos, which caused increased ocean currents,
sea level, and wave height and led to human casualties and economic damages to
RCH - COPERNICUS OCEAN STATE R

AND STEWARDSHIP

the Spanish Mediterranean coast and the Greek peninsula.

• GENDER EQUALITY IN SCIENCE • CAPACITY EXCHANGE
• BLUE PARTENERSHIPS
• OCEAN-CLIMATE NEXUS
• SUSTAINABLE OCEAN
GOVERNANCE
BETTER

03. Record-high extreme wind speeds were observed in the North Atlantic and
• UPSTREAM MANAGMENT

• PREVENT CONFLICT
the Indian Ocean in 2020, compared to the 2007-2020 period.
UND

• LOW IMPACT AND RENEWABLE MARINE ENERGY

BETT
EPOR

ERS
T

ER

• SUSTAINABLE LAND-SEA INTERFACE

CAP

• COASTAL MANAGEMENT
TAN

• SUSTAINABLE BLUE ECONOMY

• BLUE GROWTH
AC
DIN

ITY

• BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF

IN NUMBERS
• PLANNING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE THE OCEAN-CLIMATE LINK AND
GO

FO

• MARINE TECH INNOVATION CLIMATE CHANGE MONITORING

R
FT

RI

• INCREASED ACCESS TO
SK

DATA, INFO AND TECH • SUSTAINABLE BLUE TOURISM

DA
HE

• EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS

• BLUE CAPACITY • SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES
A

PT • ADAPTATION COASTAL
OC

SHARING
Implemented by

AN AT RISK MANAGMENT
About
IO Since 1993, sea level

1/3
E

• MARITIME SPATIAL PLANNING

NA
ND has risen by more than

9 CM
FO
RS
UST
AINA
OCEAN BLE D
ACIDIFICATION EVELOPMENT
+
CO2 Fluxes
OCE of global sea level rise can be attributed
AN
MO
NITO with a trend of 3.5 +/- 0.4 mm/year to ocean thermal expansion, and sea
RING
OCEAN HEAT INDICA
TORS from 1993-2021. level rise has been accelerating in the
CONTENT
last 30 years.
Sea level
SEA-ICE EXTENT CHLOROPHYLL-A Sea level
SEA-LEVEL RISE THERMOSTERIC
SEA SURFACE SEA LEVEL
Approximately Approximately a

90 % 0.43 °C
TEMPERATURE
LEGEND
Using a holistic approach, key Ocean Monitoring Indicators and ocean stewardship backed by science
OCEAN INDICATORS can help us better understand and improve the capacity for sustainable ocean development, relating
UN SDG 14 to the other 16 SDGs. Through an interdisciplinary and cross-sector approach, we will
be able to achieve a healthier, safer, and more protected ocean as part of the UN 2030 sustainable of the excess human-caused in global sea surface temperature has occurred,
Mercator Ocean International
development agenda. Data for this infographic was adapted from several different sources to provide a heat has been absorbed following a trend of 0.016 +/- 0.001°C per year
better overview of achieving ocean sustainability including – Mercator Ocean International, the Ocean
WMO Climate Indicators University Initiative, the Ocean Conservation Trust, the 2017 UN Ocean Conference, and the UN Decade of by the ocean. from 1993 to 2020, significantly impacting the
Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The SDGs included in this graphic are examples of which ocean and disrupting marine ecosystems and
areas of sustainable development could potentially be impacted, allowing us to better understand how Ocean heat content human livelihood.
ocean data can fit into the larger UN SDG framework.
Sea Surface Temperature

4 COPERNICUS OCEAN STATE REPORT SUMMARY ISSUE 6 ISSUE 6 BLUE OCEAN 5

TRENDS
IN AND UP TO 2020 BALTIC SEA
• Record winter marine heatwave during
the 2019/2020 season
INCREASE
NORTH ATLANTIC
• Record-high extreme wind speeds in 2020
DECREASE

IN 2020

TREND

MARINE HEAT WAVE

MARINE HEAT WAVE FREQUENCY

MARINE HEAT WAVE INTENSITY

MARINE HEAT WAVE DURATION

EXTREME WIND SPEEDS

STORM EVENTS
A FOCUS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA
STORM EVENTS FREQUENCY

STORM EVENTS INTENSITY

STORM EVENTS DURATION

MEDITERRANEAN SEA
BLACK SEA
• Unusually high marine heatwave in May 2020
• Increased extreme wave storms over the past • Increased number of storm
28 years events in the past 28 years, but
with decreased duration and area

INDIAN OCEAN

PARTICULAR EXTREME EVENTS 2020 • Record high extreme wind

speeds in 2020

DID YOU KNOW?

STORM GLORIA Spanish Mediterranean coast
19 to 24 January 2020.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Storm Gloria was an
unprecedented event
that saw record-
breaking wave heights,
ocean currents, and
extreme flooding,
which led to 13 human
casualties and an
estimated 500
million euros in coastal
damages.
The Mediterranean
MEDICANE IANOS
Sea is one of the main
cyclogenetic areas in the
world (i.e., areas prone
to the development of
extratropical cyclones and
medicanes). According to
the MAR1 report, there is
insufficient data to assess
past trends of Medicanes,
but current predictions
potentially indicate
decreasing frequency and
increasing intensity of
these severe storms.
WHAT IS A MEDICANE?
A strong cyclone, similar
to a hurricane, that forms
in the Mediterranean Sea.
Medicanes have a typical
size of around 300km in
diameter and are more
frequent during autumn
and winter periods.
Greek Peninsula & Ionian Sea
17 to 20 September 2020.
WHAT IS A MARINE HEATWAVE?
WHAT HAPPENED? A marine heatwave (MHW) is a prolonged
Medicane Ianos was one of the period (usually five days or more) of
strongest cyclones recorded since
abnormally high temperatures in an
1969. Formed off the Libyan coast
ocean or sea. They can be potentially
on 14 September, it impacted Greece devastating to marine ecosystems and
and the Ionian Sea from 17 to 20 the economy, for example, causing
September, causing high winds harmful algal blooms, increasing
upwards of 110 km/h, torrential the mortality of marine species, and
rain, and extreme flooding, which impacting fisheries and catch.
led to four human casualties and
significant infrastructure damage.

6 COPERNICUS OCEAN STATE REPORT SUMMARY ISSUE 6 ISSUE 6 BLUE OCEAN 7

 HOW CAN THIS DATA HELP US? GREEN OCEAN
MARINE HEATWAVE DATA WINDS, WAVES, AND STORMS DATA
Data can improve risk assessment for socio-economic and Wave power and wind statistics help to identify the most
environmental impacts of marine heatwaves, such as mass suitable areas for installing and operating clean energy
mortality or widespread migration of marine species (loss of
biodiversity) critical losses for seafood industries (loss of value),
infrastructure and promote sustainable development for
maritime activities.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOCUSING ON 2020
and identify areas requiring urgent climate adaptation measures. SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*:
SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*:

01. Newly developed satellite-based eutrophication indicators were used in 2020 to

Marine heatwaves highlight the need for local assessments,
allowing policymakers and stakeholders to understand how
different ecosystems respond to heatwaves and which areas
require urgent climate adaptation strategies.
SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*:
Advanced planning of local and regional fishing seasons
will allow for better management of fish stocks and marine
ecosystems in relation to marine heatwaves.
SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*:
Marine data, in collaboration with national weather forecast
agencies, can help forecast local heavy rain events, such as
those that occurred on the Mediterranean coast.
SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*:
map potential eutrophic areas based on satellite chlorophyll-a observations. These
Changes in extreme wave data are essential to identify
vulnerable areas, helping policymakers and stakeholders
indicators have been used by Eurosat for their SDG reporting (SDG 14.1).
promote the sustainable development of maritime activities
and safeguard coastal infrastructure (e.g., ports, roads, and
tourist facilities). Such data are also key for ship navigation,
security, routing, and estimating ship hull fatigue and
02. In 2020, a new approach used winter surface nutrient content in the ocean
performance.
to predict how fertile particular regions would be in the following spring and
SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*: summer, helping to develop further tools for monitoring ocean productivity and
predicting fish catch in the future.
Human communities in close connection with the ocean
03. Analysis of ocean data (e.g., chlorophyll-a) up to the year 2020 in Fiji and New
are particularly vulnerable to ocean changes, highlighting
Caledonia highlighted the need for combining global and local ocean monitoring
the need for comprehensive science-based monitoring at with scientific, technical, and legal knowledge to provide co-constructed ocean
regional and local levels to improve risk assessment and information that could be used to support stakeholders, society, and the economy.
sustainable adaptation strategies.
SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*:

IN NUMBERS
*The UN SDGs are essential to the sustainable development of the global ocean. Therefore, ocean data is crucial to support the objectives of these goals. The SDGs included in these sections are
not an exhaustive list of those that can be supported. Instead, they are examples of which areas of sustainable development could potentially be impacted, allowing us to better understand how
ocean data can fit into the larger UN SDG framework.

A DEEPER LOOK INTO SEA LEVEL At least A

WHAT IS A TIDE GAUGE?

HOW IT WORKS
50%
of the Earth’s oxygen is
30 %
increase in ocean acidification
Since the beginning of the
industrial era, the ocean has
absorbed an estimated

525 BILLION
uses a fraction of the computational resources required by other produced by the ocean. This has occurred since the industrial
In the Baltic Sea, parts of the coast are frequently endangered
modelling systems, paving the way for improvements in coastal
by severe storm surges, causing potentially devastating
sea level research.
primarily comes from drifting revolution, following a decreasing
environmental and economic damages. In 2020, sea level HIGH-RESOLUTION plants and algae, such as trend of global mean surface
anomalies in parts of the Baltic Sea basin reached unusually high TIDE GAUGE MODEL ESTIMATES OF SEA tons of CO2, equating to roughly
values. Therefore, being able to predict the precise form, timing, phytoplankton. Most of that seawater pH by -0.0016 +/- 0.0006
and duration of storms has a significant and beneficial impact on
OBSERVATIONS SIMULATIONS LEVEL CHANGES
oxygen is consumed within yr-1 from 1985 to 2020. As pH levels 22 million tons per day. The CO2
society. the ocean. decrease in the ocean, acidification uptake by the ocean has increased
levels increase, harmfully affecting over the past 30 years (trend
To achieve this level of forecasting, researchers developed a Oxygen Inventory of 0.06 +/- 0.09 PgC yr-2) even
dynamic state-of-the-art modelling system to identify the marine life.
patterns of long-term sea level variability at high resolution. though uncertainty estimates are
The system algorithm is able to run simulations to reconstruct WHAT IS A TIDE GAUGE?
Ocean Acidification largely due to lack of observations.
sea level anomalies at different time and space scales, offering
A widely used instrument fitted with various sensors
comprehensive estimates of sea level variability for recent years Ocean CO2 fluxes
and future estimates every hour. that continuously records the height of ocean waters.
Using traditional tide gauge observations alongside
Using traditional tidal gauge observations alongside numerical satellite data sampling and modelling, opens the door
modelling and satellite data sampling, this algorithmic method for improvements in coastal sea level research.

8 COPERNICUS OCEAN STATE REPORT SUMMARY ISSUE 6 ISSUE 6 GREEN OCEAN 9

A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE GREEN OCEAN HOW CAN THIS
NEW TOOLS AND APPROACHES
DATA HELP US?
MEASURING EUTROPHICATION A NEW INDICATOR
Eutrophication* is a major problem for water quality in Europe. A new The eutrophic indicators can help scientists, coastal zone
WITH THE HELP OF SATELLITES: set of satellite-based eutrophication indicators has been developed management authorities, and policymakers monitor areas
to improve the measurement of chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton of potential eutrophication. Data from these indicators allow
Runoff nutrients (from
human activities) that cause
concentrations in the ocean and to map the risks of eutrophication, them to investigate occurrences, identify potential causes,
eutrophication
Light with a comparable historical time series of the last 23 years. These understand the risk of eutrophication in specific areas, and
WHAT IS EUTROPHICATION? indicators have been used to measure ocean health and by Eurosat establish infrastructure to limit human-induced nutrient
Eutrophication occurs when water is excessively rich in for their SDG reporting (SDG 14.1). pollution and protect marine ecosystems.
nutrients, primarily phosphorus and nitrogen from runoff SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*:
pollution, which fosters damaging levels of algae growth.
Algal blooms
Shadow effect
HOW IT WORKS:
Organic matter falls and
Eutrophication only happens if waters are eutrophic for
blocking sunlight
and inhibiting decomposes The satellite-based eutrophication indicators use remote sensing
photosynthesis
multiple consecutive years (i.e., a trend over time). O2 decrease due to algae
decomposition
to improve how chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton concentrations
Water Quality
Suffocation and mortality are measured in the ocean. The indicators do not identify the
or escape of animals
cause of eutrophication but instead provide an alert that increased Winter surface nutrient levels allow scientists to identify the
Land-based run-off from human activities such as agriculture and industry introduces
chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton growth has occurred, which difference in ocean fertility year to year, helping us predict fish
excess nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) to marine ecosystems and boosts harmful could indicate potential eutrophic areas. catches and plan fishing schedules in advance.
plant growth, especially in coastal areas. SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*:
*For additional information on the state of eutrophication,
see the Copernicus Ocean State Report Summary, Issue 5, pp.10.11

PREDICTING OCEAN FERTILITY WINTER SPRING

FROM ITS WINTER NUTRIENT
CONTENT
HOW IT WORKS:
The winter surface nutrient content of the ocean pertains
to the abundance of nutrients in the surface layers just
after winter. These nutrient concentrations can be used as
a proxy to predict how fertile a particular region will be in
the following spring and summer periods, i.e., that region’s
capacity to sustain a productive and healthy ecosystem.
WHAT IS OCEAN PRODUCTIVITY?
Ocean productivity refers to the production of organic
Measuring ocean fertility can help policymakers implement
sustainable approaches to marine spatial planning and more
CO2
matter in the ocean, most importantly phytoplankton
and chlorophyll-a concentrations that make up the
toward sustainable management of ocean resources.
Sunlight SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*:
basis of the marine food chain. Changes in primary
production and phytoplankton growth can significantly
impact the marine food web, impair the health of
marine species, and influence the carbon cycle, which
Phytoplankton
Euphotic can impact climate.
Layer P
Monitoring and forecasting temperature changes in the
ocean will help scientists to better understand and protect
Si Nutrients N Photosynthesis
Growing threatened marine life and coral species.
The figure shows an abundance of nutrients in the photic (top) layer of the ocean
Fe
just after winter. During spring and summer, phytoplankton absorbs excess SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*:
nutrients, and sunlight causes these organisms to grow. Increased phytoplankton
growth can influence how likely the particular region will be able to sustain higher
organisms.

BRINGING TOGETHER SOURCES, VARIABLES, In situ and remote sensing data each has positives and negatives. Combining
the two monitoring systems together for the same geographical regions would
result in high resolution and high accuracy coverage of a particular area with
THE ROLE OF COPERNICUS MARINE
Analysing the combined data from two different ocean
parameters - sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a - will
AND TIMESCALES FOR A NEW APPROACH broad spatial and temporal coverage, improving the accuracy and scale for
ocean monitoring.
The data and reporting activities of the Copernicus Marine provide scientists with a better picture of the state and changes
Service will help support the Pacific Ocean Pathways (PACPATH), in ocean productivity.
IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS Remote
sensing
BROAD BROAD
LIMITED a collaborative research consortium that designs robust ocean SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*:
Data RESOLUTION
SPATIAL
COVER
TEMPORAL
COVER
AT LOCAL
SIGNAL
research strategies to promote ocean sciences, ocean stewardship,
and innovative sustainability strategies. The key ocean data provided
by the Copernicus Marine Service will help improve a common
understanding of the state, variability, and changes of the ocean and
promote ocean literacy by combining scientific and local knowledge. Identifying and synthesising data and knowledge sources will
HOW IT WORKS Through international collaboration, the Copernicus Marine Service provide strategic links between locally-based and globally-
Pilot studies in the Pacific Ocean highlighted the combined use of will aim to help the local communities in Fiji and New Caledonia produced products, helping policymakers establish sustainable
In-Situ
Data HIGH GOOD
large-scale and direct coastal ocean measurements for sea surface through co-constructing relevant ocean research projects and ecosystem management initiatives.
effective sustainability actions.
SMALL
RESOLUTION
AND
COVER OF
EXTREME
SPATIAL
SCALE
temperature and chlorophyll-a concentrations in the coastal reefs SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*:
ACCURACY EVENTS
of Fiji and New Caledonia. Using these in situ and remote sensing *The UN SDGs are essential to the sustainable development of the global ocean. Therefore, ocean
data types for the same geographical areas at small spatial scales data is crucial to support the objectives of these goals. The SDGs included in these sections are not
an exhaustive list of those that can be supported. Instead, they are examples of which areas of
close to the coast, they help to support society and the economy, sustainable development could potentially be impacted, allowing us to better understand how ocean
particularly for monitoring and understanding extreme events. data can fit into the larger UN SDG framework.

10 COPERNICUS OCEAN STATE REPORT SUMMARY ISSUE 6 ISSUE 6 GREEN OCEAN 11

WHITE OCEAN
TRENDS UP TO AND IN 2021
KEY TAKEWAYS ARCTIC SEA ICE EXTENT
01. The Arctic experienced an extreme warm event in northern Siberia in 2020, which
led to considerable ice loss along the Siberian coast and caused the record-low
and rapid break-up of sea ice in the Laptev Sea to start approximately one month
earlier and freeze up approximately one month later than the 2010-2019 average.
THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
EXTREME EVENTS 2020
1993 - 2014
The steady decline of sea ice extent is a serious
challenge facing the Arctic. In 2020, sea ice was
recorded at the lowest levels ever observed, and
SIBERIAN HEATWAVE
2021
2021 remains among the years with one of the WHAT HAPPENED?
lowest sea ice extent levels. The figure details the
average sea ice extent from 1993 to 2014 (light An exceptional warm event occurred over northern Siberia
green with opacity) compared with the sea ice
extent from 2021 (blue with opacity), showing the
in 2020, with monthly temperature extremes exceeding 5°C.
From July to December, sea ice cover in the Arctic was record-
severe decline of sea ice in 2021.
ed at one of the lowest levels since the late 1970s, coinciding
with the record-breaking heatwave and causing record-low
and rapid break up of sea ice in the Laptev Sea.

02. The Baltic Sea experienced unusually high ocean heat content in the upper ocean
layers during the 2019/2020 winter period, resulting in the lowest recorded sea ice RECORD LOW SEA ICE
extent since 1720.
TBD IN THE BALTIC SEA
WHAT HAPPENED?
03. While sea ice extent in the Arctic decreased during both summer and winter Ocean heat content and sea ice conditions are strongly
periods in 2020, sea ice extent in the Antarctic remained relatively stable despite related. The winter of 2019/2020 was characterised by an
ocean warming. extremely high ocean heat content in the upper layers of the
Baltic Sea. Due to these unusually warm conditions, the maxi-
mum sea ice extent, was the lowest on record since 1720.
04. Copernicus Marine Service products have been used to capture temporal and
spatial changes in sea ice conditions for accurate identification of the Antarctic
marginal ice zone.
300 40

200

Max Ice Extent an. [1000km2 ]

20

Max Ice Volume an. [km3 ]

IN NUMBERS
100

Heat content an. [Mj/m2 ]

0 0

-100
-20
-200

In 2019/20,

91%
-300 -40
94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 Year
A time series of anomalies in the upper layer ocean heat content (red), maximum ice extent (green), and maximum ice volume (blue) in the Baltic Sea in the winter of 2019/2020. The
dashed line shows the ocean heat content trend from 1993 to 2014, showing a positive increase in ocean heat content levels.

less sea ice was observed in the

HOW CAN THIS DATA HELP US?
About

6X
Baltic Sea than in the 1940s when it
reached a maximum sea ice extent
(422,000 km2) and was fully ice- Changes in water salinity and Low sea ice extent offers increased Monitoring sea ice extent and its
covered.
THE AREA temperature in the polar regions could
impact the strength and flow of ocean
transportation and access to the Arctic
and Baltic seas. However, it also poses
variability can help develop accurate
models of global climate patterns
Sea Ice Extent OF GERMANY currents, potentially affecting global risks, such as increased pollution. As such, as well as simulations of sea ice flux,
climate patterns. Arctic data allows policymakers to develop improving maritime navigation and ship
Worth of sea ice (2.14 Million SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, infrastructure and emergency strategies for safety.
km²) was lost in the Arctic but are not limited to*: human activity in these regions. SDGs that could potentially be impacted include,
between 1979 and 2021. SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but but are not limited to*:
are not limited to*:
Sea Ice Extent

*The UN SDGs are essential to the sustainable development of the global ocean. Therefore, ocean data is crucial to support the objectives of these goals. The SDGs included in these sections are
not an exhaustive list of those that can be supported. Instead, they are examples of which areas of sustainable development could potentially be impacted, allowing us to better understand how
ocean data can fit into the larger UN SDG framework.

12 COPERNICUS OCEAN STATE REPORT SUMMARY ISSUE 6 ISSUE 6 WHITE OCEAN 13

A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE ANTARCTIC
Implemented by

ABOUT ABOUT THE

MERCATOR COPERNICUS
13.0
1979-2021 Trend:

Annual mean
0.07 0.05 x 106 km2/decade
SIE [Million km2]

12.5

OCEAN MARINE SERVICE

Trend
12.0

11.5

11.0
Year
INTERNATIONAL
00

04

06

09
08
05
02

20
20 3
The Copernicus Marine Service (also known as CMEMS) is

07
80

90

20 0

01

10
84

94

14

20 9
86

89

96

98

16

18
88
85

95

15
82

92

12

21
83

93

20 3
79

97
87

17
81

91

11
0

1
9

20

20
20
20

20
20
20

20
20
20

20
20
19

20
19

20

20
20

20
20
19
19

19
19
19

19

19
19

19
19

19
19

19

19

19
19
19

19

19
While sea ice extent decreased in the Arctic throughout 2020, sea ice trends in the Antarctic were not as clear. The figure shows the change of sea ice extent from 1979-2020 with the dedicated to ocean monitoring and forecasting. It is implemented
annual mean (red) plotted against the trend (grey dashed line), highlighting the volatility of sea ice extent in recent years and relatively stable sea ice extent in 2020 and 2021. by Mercator Ocean International, a global ocean analysis and
Mercator Ocean International was selected by the European forecasting centre, and funded by the European Commission
ANTARCTIC SEA ICE TRENDS Commission to implement the Copernicus Marine Service in (EC). It is one of the six services that comprise Copernicus, the
2014. European Union’s Earth Observation Programme. The agreement
As in the Arctic, Antarctic sea ice in the Southern Ocean plays Changes in sea ice extent could affect these key parameters, was established in 2014 for Copernicus 1 and renewed in 2021 for
an essential role in regulating the global climate and the polar potentially impacting the circulation and physics of global ocean Based in France, Mercator Ocean International (MOi) is Copernicus 2.
marine ecosystem. Among its roles, sea ice reflects sunlight back currents. While sea ice extent in the Arctic decreased throughout a non-profit organisation in the process of becoming an
into space, minimising the amount of heat absorbed by the both summer and winter, sea ice trends in the Antarctic were intergovernmental organisation with the mission to develop Copernicus Marine Service provides regular and systematic
ocean, and forms an insulating barrier between the air above and not as clear. Both 2020 and 2021 saw normal sea ice extent in Europe’s Digital Twin of the Ocean. MOi provides ocean reference information on the state of the physical and
the water below. It also helps to maintain the process of ocean summer and winter seasons, despite ocean warming. However, intelligence, data, and expertise that covers the global ocean. biogeochemical ocean at the global and European regional scales.
convection (i.e., the mixing of cold fresh water and warm salt in February 2022, new analysis available on our website* shows Its scientific experts design, develop, operate, and maintain It provides key inputs that support major EU and international
water), which is largely determined by ocean temperature and that Antarctic minimum summer sea ice extent reached a record state-of-the-art numerical modelling systems that describe policies and initiatives and can contribute to combating pollution,
salinity. low, ranking second lowest in a 44-year data record. and analyse the past, present, and near-future state of the marine protection, maritime safety and routing, sustainable use
ocean in 4D (reanalyses, hindcasts, near-real-time analyses, of ocean resources, developing marine energy resources, blue
and forecasts). growth, climate monitoring, weather forecasting, and more. It
MEASURING THE MARGINAL also aims to increase awareness amongst the general public by

ICE ZONE WHAT IS THE MARGINAL ICE ZONE?

The Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) is a transition zone be-
providing European and global citizens with information about
ocean-related issues.
HOW IT WORKS tween the open ocean and the ice pack where sea ice
The extent of the Antarctic Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) can be covers 15% to 80% of the total area of the ocean. It is Cloud & mass storage
Models
calculated using an ensemble of Copernicus global eddy- fundamental for climate dynamics and the polar eco-
permitting reanalysis (GREP). GREP realistically captures the system, supporting relevant processes such as air-sea
temporal and spatial changes in sea ice concentrations to gas and carbon exchange, marine primary production,
properly identify the maximum and minimum variability in and the delivery of nutrients to the ocean.
MIZ extent, including its variability during growing and melting Satellite
seasons.
Observations Digital Ocean High Performance Knowledge
*For more information about the 2022 Antarctic sea ice extent, visit https://marine.copernicus.eu/news/antarctic-sea-ice-reaches-record-minimum Computing and Expertise

HOW CAN THIS DATA HELP US?

Like the Arctic, knowledge of Antarctic sea ice extent Investigating changes in the types of Antarctic sea ice can
and its variability is essential for developing adequate help us understand the main drivers behind the variability
simulations of sea ice and accurate climate modelling. of sea ice extent, specifically for the Marginal Ice Zone, which
SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not limited to*: is highly sensitive to oceanic and atmospheric forcing.
Change in that area can have implications on the polar
ecosystem. SDGs that could potentially be impacted include, but are not
limited to*:
The Copernicus Marine Service uses satellite observations, in
situ platforms, and models to create a digital representation
of the ocean. Scientific knowledge and expertise feed into
these models to help describe and forecast the state and
variability of the global ocean and the European regional seas
In-Situ and to provide a foundation for the development of marine
*The UN SDGs are essential to the sustainable development of the global ocean. Therefore, ocean data is crucial to support the objectives of these goals. The SDGs included in these sections are Observations protection and sustainable ocean stewardship.
not an exhaustive list of those that can be supported. Instead, they are examples of which areas of sustainable development could potentially be impacted, allowing us to better understand how
ocean data can fit into the larger UN SDG framework.

14 COPERNICUS OCEAN STATE REPORT SUMMARY ISSUE 6 ISSUE 6 COPERNICUS OCEAN STATE REPORT SUMMARY 15
 Implemented by

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Full Copernicus Ocean State Report will be available at:

https://marine.copernicus.eu/access-data/ocean-state-report

Citation of full report: von Schuckmann, K., P.-Y. Le Traon, N. Smith, A. Pascual, S. Djavidnia, P. Brasseur, M. Grégoire (Eds.) (2022)
Copernicus Ocean State Report, Issue 6, Journal of Operational Oceanography, 15:sup1, s1–s220;
DOI: 10.1080/ 1755876X.2022.2095169

Disclaimer: This summary is written in collaboration with both scientists and communication professionals. It is intended to provide
some context and basic scientific explanation surrounding the key findings of the Copernicus Ocean State Report and the Copernicus
Ocean Monitoring Indicators.

Acknowledgement : Special thanks to the entire author team of the 6th installment of the Copernicus Marine Service Ocean State
Report for their dedication and expertise. Particular thanks to the reviewers of this summary (in alphabetical order by surname):
Gianpeiro Cossarini, Laurence Crosnier, Gilles Garric, Stephanie Guinehut, Pierre-Yves Le Traon, Alexandre Mignon, Gratianne Quade,
Marco Reale, Stefano Salon, Karina von Schuckmann

The Copernicus Ocean State Report is a supplement of the Journal of Operational Oceanography (JOO), an official publication of
the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST), published by Taylor & Francis Group.

In accordance with the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No-Derivatives License, this summary
properly cites and does not alter nor transform the original work.

Design and production: Design & Data - www.designdata.de

Cover photo by Fer Nando on Unsplash
SCAN COSR6