Articles | Volume 15, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-15-1801-2019
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-15-1801-2019
Research article
 | 
20 Dec 2019
Research article |  | 20 Dec 2019

Evaluation of nonidentical versus identical twin approaches for observation impact assessments: an ensemble-Kalman-filter-based ocean assimilation application for the Gulf of Mexico

Liuqian Yu, Katja Fennel, Bin Wang, Arnaud Laurent, Keith R. Thompson, and Lynn K. Shay

Related authors

Can assimilation of satellite observations improve subsurface biological properties in a numerical model? A case study for the Gulf of Mexico
Bin Wang, Katja Fennel, and Liuqian Yu
Ocean Sci., 17, 1141–1156, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-1141-2021,https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-1141-2021, 2021
Short summary
Assessing the value of biogeochemical Argo profiles versus ocean color observations for biogeochemical model optimization in the Gulf of Mexico
Bin Wang, Katja Fennel, Liuqian Yu, and Christopher Gordon
Biogeosciences, 17, 4059–4074, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-4059-2020,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-4059-2020, 2020
Short summary
Impacts of anthropogenic inputs on hypoxia and oxygen dynamics in the Pearl River estuary
Bin Wang, Jiatang Hu, Shiyu Li, Liuqian Yu, and Jia Huang
Biogeosciences, 15, 6105–6125, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-6105-2018,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-6105-2018, 2018
Short summary
Numerical analysis of the primary processes controlling oxygen dynamics on the Louisiana shelf
L. Yu, K. Fennel, A. Laurent, M. C. Murrell, and J. C. Lehrter
Biogeosciences, 12, 2063–2076, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-2063-2015,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-2063-2015, 2015
Short summary

Cited articles

Anderson, D. L. T., Sheinbaum, J., and Haines, K.: Data assimilation in ocean models, Rep. Prog. Phys., 59, 1209–1266, 1996. 
Anderson, J. L. and Anderson, S. L.: A Monte Carlo implementation of the nonlinear filtering problem to produce ensemble assimilations and forecasts, Mon. Weather Rev., 127, 2741–2758, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1999)127<2741:AMCIOT>2.0.CO;2, 1999. 
Arnold, C. P. and Dey, C. H.: Observing-Systems Simulation Experiments?: Past, Present, and Future, Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc., 67, 687–695, 1986. 
Atlas, R.: Atmospheric observations and experiments to assess their usefulness in data assimilation, J. Meteorol. Soc. Japan, 75, 111–130, 1997. 
Burgers, G., van Leeuwen, J. P., and Evensen, G.: Analysis scheme in the Ensemble Kalman Filter, Mon. Weather Rev., 126, 1719–1724 https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1998)126<1719:ASITEK>2.0.CO;2, 1998. 
Download
Short summary
We present a first direct comparison of nonidentical versus identical twin approaches for an ocean data assimilation system. We show that the identical twin approach overestimates the value of assimilating satellite observations and undervalues the benefit of assimilating temperature and salinity profiles. Misleading assessments such as undervaluing the impact of observational assets are problematic and can lead to misguided decisions on balancing investments among different observing assets.