scholarly journals ASSIMILATION OF SEA SURFACE HEIGHT ANOMALIES INTO HYCOM WITH AN OPTIMAL INTERPOLATION SCHEME OVER THE ATLANTIC OCEAN METAREA V

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clemente Augusto Souza Tanajura ◽  
Filipe Bitencourt Costa ◽  
Renato Ramos da Silva ◽  
Giovanni Abdelnur Ruggiero ◽  
Victor Bastos Daher

ABSTRACT. Along-track sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) data from the Jason-1 and Jason-2 satellites were assimilated into the ocean model HYCOM from July 1, 2009 until December 31, 2009. A new and simple approach to overcome the bias between the model and observed SSHA was proposed. It focuses on the meso-scale differences between the data and the model along each satellite track. An optimal interpolation method and the Cooper & Haines (1996) scheme (C&H) were employed to produce a SSHA analysis field and to adjust model layer thicknesses over the Atlantic METAREA V. The corrected model state was used as initial condition for the next assimilation cycle. SSHA data with a 7-day window were assimilated in 3-day intervals centered in the SSHA data window and the C&H scheme was applied taking the SSHA analysis. A control run without assimilation was also performed. The results showed that the model SSHA was completely reorganized by the end of the experiment. The modifications of SSHA were compared to the American Navy HYCOM+NCODA system and AVISO data. Maximum error was reduced from 0.7 m to 0.2 m by assimilation. Comparisons were also made with the Argo temperature and salinity vertical profiles. Improvements in the currents and volume transport were also produced by assimilation. The impact in temperature was in general positive, but there was no substantial modification in salinity.   Keywords: ocean data assimilation, Jason-1 and Jason-2 satellites, Argo. RESUMO. Dados de anomalia da altura da superfície do mar (AASM) dos satellites Jason-1 e Jason-2 foram assimilados no modelo oceânico HYCOM de 1 de julho de 2009 a 31 de dezembro de 2009. Um nova e simples abordagem foi proposta para superar o viés entre os dados observados de AASM e o campo do modelo. Ela enfoca as diferenças entre o modelo e as observações na mesoescala ao longo de cada trilha dos satélites. Um método de interpolação estatística e o esquema de Cooper & Haines (1996) (C&H) foram empregados para produzir um campo de análise de AASM e ajustes nas espessuras das camadas do modelo sobre a METAREA V do Atlântico. O estado corrigido do modelo foi usado como condição inicial para o próximo ciclo de assimilação. Dados de AASM em uma janela de 7 dias foram assimilados a cada 3 dias em data centrada na janela de dados e o método de C&H foi aplicado com a análise de AASM. Os resultados mostraram que a AASM do modelo foi completamente reorganizada no final do experimento. As modificações de AASM foram comparadas com análises globais do sistema Americano HYCOM+NCODA e com dados do AVISO. Erros máximos foram reduzidos de 0,7 m para 0,2 m com a assimilação. Comparações foram também feitas com perfis verticais de temperatura e salinidade do Argo. Melhorias nas correntes e no transporte de volume foram produzidas em relação à rodada de controle. O impacto na temperatura foi em geral positivo, mas não houve modificação substancial na salinidade.   Palavras-chave: assimilação de dados oceanográficos, satélites Jason-1 e Jason-2, Argo.

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clemente Augusto Souza Tanajura ◽  
Filipe Bitencourt Costa ◽  
Renato Ramos da Silva ◽  
Giovanni Abdelnur Ruggiero ◽  
Victor Bastos Daher

Along-track sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) data from the Jason-1 and Jason-2 satellites were assimilated into the ocean model HYCOM from July 1, 2009 until December 31, 2009. A new and simple approach to overcome the bias between the model and observed SSHA was proposed. It focuses on the meso-scale differences between the data and the model along each satellite track. An optimal interpolation method and the Cooper and Haines (1996) scheme (C&H) were employed to produce a SSHA analysis field and to adjust model layer thicknesses over the Atlantic METAREA V. The corrected model state was used as initial condition for the next assimilation cycle. SSHA data with a 7-day window were assimilated in 3-day intervals centered in the SSHA data window and the C&H scheme was applied taking the SSHA analysis. A control run without assimilation was also performed. The results showed that the model SSHA was completely reorganized by the end of the experiment. The modifications of SSHA were compared to the American Navy HYCOM+NCODA system and AVISO data. Maximum error was reduced from 0.7 m to 0.2 m by assimilation. Comparisons were also made with the Argo temperature and salinity vertical profiles. Improvements in the currents and volume transport were also produced by assimilation. The impact in temperature was in general positive, but there was no substantial modification in salinity.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Nascimento Lima ◽  
Clemente Augusto Souza Tanajura

ABSTRACT. In this study, assimilation of Jason-1 and Jason-2 along-track sea level anomaly (SLA) data was conducted in a region of the tropical and South Atlantic (7◦N-36◦S, 20◦W up to the Brazilian coast) using an optimal interpolation method and the HYCOM (Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model). Four 24 h-forecast experiments were performed daily from January 1 until March 31, 2011 considering different SLA assimilation data windows (1 day and 2 days) and different coefficients in the parameterization of the SLA covariance matrix model. The model horizontal resolution was 1/12◦ and the number of vertical layers was 21. The SLA analyses added to the mean sea surface height were projected to the subsurface with the Cooper & Haines (1996) scheme. The results showed that the experiment with 2-day window of along-track data and with specific parameterizations of the model SLA covariance error for sub-regions of the METAREA V was the most accurate. It completely reconstructed the model sea surface height and important improvements in the circulation were produced. For instance, there was a substantial improvement in the representation of the Brazil Current and North Brazil Undercurrent. However, since no assimilation of vertical profiles of temperature and salinity and of sea surface temperature was performed, the methodology employed here should be considered only as a step towards a high quality analysis for operational forecasting systems.   Keywords: data assimilation, optimal interpolation, Cooper & Haines scheme, altimetry data.   RESUMO. Neste estudo, a assimilação de dados de anomalia da altura da superfície do mar (AASM) ao longo da trilha dos satélites Jason-1 e Jason-2 foi conduzida em uma região do Atlântico tropical e Sul (7◦N-36◦S, 20◦W até a costa do Brasil) com o método de interpolação ótima e o modelo oceânico HYCOM (Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model). Foram realizados quatro experimentos de previsão de 24 h entre 1 de janeiro e 31 de março de 2011, considerando diferentes janelas de assimilação de AASM (1 dia e 2 dias) e diferentes coeficientes na parametrização da matriz de covariância dos erros de AASM do modelo. A resolução horizontal empregada no HYCOM foi 1/12◦ para 21 camadas verticais. As correções de altura da superfície do mar devido à assimilação de AASM foram projetadas abaixo da camada de mistura através da técnica de Cooper & Haines (1996). Os resultados mostraram que o experimento com assimilação de dados ao longo da trilha dos satélites com a janela de 2 dias e com parametrizações da matriz de covariância específicas para sub-regiões da METAREA V foi o mais acurado. Ele reconstruiu completamente a altura da superfície do mar e também proporcionou melhorias na circulação oceânica reproduzida pelo modelo. Por exemplo, houve substancial melhoria da representação nos campos da Corrente do Brasil e Subcorrente Norte do Brasil. Entretanto, tendo em vista que não foi realizada a assimilação de perfis verticais de temperatura e de salinidade e da temperatura da superfície do mar, a metodologia apresentada deve ser considerada apenas como um passo na conquista de uma análise oceânica e de um sistema previsor de qualidade para fins operacionais.   Palavras-chave: assimilação de dados, interpolação ótima, técnica de Cooper & Haines, dados de altimetria.


Author(s):  
Konstantin P. Belyaev ◽  
Andrey A. Kuleshov ◽  
Clemente A. S. Tanajura

AbstractA data assimilation (DA) method based on the application of the diffusion stochastic process theory, particularly, of the Fokker-Planck equation, is considered. The method was introduced in the previous works; however, it is substantially modified and extended to the multivariate case in the current study. For the first time, the method is here applied to the assimilation of sea surface height anomalies (SSHA) into the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) over the Atlantic Ocean. The impact of assimilation of SSHA is investigated and compared with the assimilation by an Ensemble Optimal Interpolation method (EnOI). The time series of the analyses produced by both assimilation methods are evaluated against the results from a free model run without assimilation. This study shows that the proposed assimilation technique has some advantages in comparison with EnOI analysis. Particularly, it is shown that it provides slightly smaller error and is computationally efficient. The method may be applied to assimilate other data such as observed sea surface temperature and vertical profiles of temperature and salinity.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estee Vermeulen ◽  
Björn Backeberg ◽  
Juliet Hermes ◽  
Shane Elipot

Abstract. The Agulhas Current Time-series mooring array (ACT) measured transport of the Agulhas Current at 34° S for a period of 3 years. Using along-track satellite altimetry data directly above the array, a proxy of Agulhas Current transport was developed based on the relationship between cross-current sea surface height (SSH) gradients and the measured transports. In this study, the robustness of the proxy is tested within a numerical modelling framework, using a 34-year long regional-hindcast simulation from the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). Two reference proxies were created using HYCOM data from 2010–2013, extracting model data at the mooring positions and along the satellite altimeter track for; (1) the box transport (Tbox) and (2) the jet (southwestward) transport (Tjet). Next, sensitivity tests were performed where the proxy was recalculated from HYCOM for (1) a period where the modelled vertical stratification was different compared to the reference proxy, and (2) different lengths of periods: 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 34 years. Compared to the simulated (native) transports, it was found that the HYCOM proxy was more capable of estimating the box transport of the Agulhas Current compared to the jet transport. The HYCOM configuration in this study contained exaggerated levels of offshore variability in the form of frequently-impinging baroclinic anticyclonic eddies. These eddies consequently broke down the linear relationship between SSH slope and vertically-integrated transport, resulting in stronger correlations for the inshore linear regression models compared to the ones offshore. Vertically-integrated transport estimates were therefore more accurate inshore than those offshore or when the current was in a meandering state. Results showed that calculating the proxy over shorter or longer time periods in the model did not significantly impact the skill of the Agulhas transport proxy, suggesting that 3-years was a sufficiently long time-period for the observation based transport proxy.


Ocean Science ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. U. Nilsson ◽  
S. Dobricic ◽  
N. Pinardi ◽  
P.-M. Poulain ◽  
D. Pettenuzzo

Abstract. A novel method for three-dimensional variational assimilation of Lagrangian data with a primitive-equation ocean model is proposed. The assimilation scheme was implemented in the Mediterranean ocean Forecasting System and evaluated for a 4-month period. Four experiments were designed to assess the impact of trajectory assimilation on the model output, i.e. the sea-surface height, velocity, temperature and salinity fields. It was found from the drifter and Argo trajectory assimilation experiment that the forecast skill of surface-drifter trajectories improved by 15 %, that of intermediate-depth float trajectories by 20 %, and moreover, that the forecasted sea-surface height fields improved locally by 5 % compared to satellite data, while the quality of the temperature and salinity fields remained at previous levels. In conclusion, the addition of Lagrangian trajectory assimilation proved to reduce the uncertainties in the model fields, thus yielding a higher accuracy of the ocean forecasts.


Ocean Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 513-526
Author(s):  
Estee Ann Vermeulen ◽  
Björn Backeberg ◽  
Juliet Hermes ◽  
Shane Elipot

Abstract. The Agulhas Current Time-series Experiment mooring array (ACT) measured transport of the Agulhas Current at 34∘ S for a period of 3 years. Using along-track satellite altimetry data directly above the array, a proxy of Agulhas Current transport was developed based on the relationship between cross-current sea surface height (SSH) gradients and the measured transports. In this study, the robustness of the proxy is tested within a numerical modelling framework using a 34-year-long regional hindcast simulation from the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). The model specifically tested the sensitivity of the transport proxy to (1) changes in the vertical structure of the current and to (2) different sampling periods used to calculate the proxy. Two reference proxies were created using HYCOM data from 2010 to 2013 by extracting model data at the mooring positions and along the satellite altimeter track for the box (net) transport and the jet (southwestward) transport. Sensitivity tests were performed where the proxy was recalculated from HYCOM for (1) a period where the modelled vertical stratification was different compared to the reference proxy and (2) different lengths of time periods: 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 34 years. Compared to the simulated (native) transports, it was found that the HYCOM proxy was more capable of estimating the box transport of the Agulhas Current compared to the jet transport. This was because the model is unable to resolve the dynamics associated with meander events, for which the jet transport algorithm was developed. The HYCOM configuration in this study contained exaggerated levels of offshore variability in the form of frequently impinging baroclinic anticyclonic eddies. These eddies consequently broke down the linear relationship between SSH slope and vertically integrated transport. Lastly, results showed that calculating the proxy over shorter or longer time periods in the model did not significantly impact the skill of the Agulhas transport proxy. Modelling studies of this kind provide useful information towards advancing our understanding of the sensitivities and limitations of transport proxies that are needed to improve long-term ocean monitoring approaches.


2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 2503-2525
Author(s):  
J. A. U. Nilsson ◽  
S. Dobricic ◽  
N. Pinardi ◽  
P.-M. Poulain ◽  
D. Pettenuzzo

Abstract. A novel method for three-dimensional variational assimilation of Lagrangian data with a primitive-equation ocean model is proposed. The assimilation scheme was implemented in the Mediterranean ocean Forecasting System and evaluated for a 4-month period. Four experiments were designed to assess the impact of trajectory assimilation on the model output, i.e. the sea-surface height, velocity, temperature and salinity fields. It was found from the drifter and Argo trajectory assimilation experiment that the forecast skill of surface-drifter trajectories improved by 15 %, that of intermediate-depth float trajectories by 20 %, and moreover, the forecasted sea-surface height fields improved locally by 5 % compared to satellite data, while the quality of the temperature and salinity fields remained at previous levels. In conclusion, the addition of Lagrangian trajectory assimilation proved to reduce the uncertainties in the model fields, thus yielding a higher accuracy of the ocean forecasts.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3014
Author(s):  
Feng Wang ◽  
Dongkai Yang ◽  
Guodong Zhang ◽  
Jin Xing ◽  
Bo Zhang ◽  
...  

Sea surface height can be measured with the delay between reflected and direct global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals. The arrival time of a feature point, such as the waveform peak, the peak of the derivative waveform, and the fraction of the peak waveform is not the true arrival time of the specular signal; there is a bias between them. This paper aims to analyze and calibrate the bias to improve the accuracy of sea surface height measured by using the reflected signals of GPS CA, Galileo E1b and BeiDou B1I. First, the influencing factors of the delay bias, including the elevation angle, receiver height, wind speed, pseudorandom noise (PRN) code of GPS CA, Galileo E1b and BeiDou B1I, and the down-looking antenna pattern are explored based on the Z-V model. The results show that (1) with increasing elevation angle, receiver height, and wind speed, the delay bias tends to decrease; (2) the impact of the PRN code is uncoupled from the elevation angle, receiver height, and wind speed, so the delay biases of Galileo E1b and BeiDou B1I can be derived from that of GPS CA by multiplication by the constants 0.32 and 0.54, respectively; and (3) the influence of the down-looking antenna pattern on the delay bias is lower than 1 m, which is less than that of other factors; hence, the effect of the down-looking antenna pattern is ignored in this paper. Second, an analytical model and a neural network are proposed based on the assumption that the influence of all factors on the delay bias are uncoupled and coupled, respectively, to calibrate the delay bias. The results of the simulation and experiment show that compared to the meter-level bias before the calibration, the calibrated bias decreases the decimeter level. Based on the fact that the specular points of several satellites are visible to the down-looking antenna, the multi-observation method is proposed to calibrate the bias for the case of unknown wind speed, and the same calibration results can be obtained when the proper combination of satellites is selected.


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