Articles | Volume 17, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-147-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-147-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
19 Jan 2021
Research article |
| 19 Jan 2021
| 19 Jan 2021
Accuracy assessment of global internal-tide models using satellite altimetry
Loren Carrere
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
CLS, Ramonville-Saint-Agne, 31450, France
Brian K. Arbic
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Brian Dushaw
independent researcher: Girona, 17004, Spain
Gary Egbert
Department Geology and Geophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis,
OR 97331-5503, USA
Svetlana Erofeeva
Department Geology and Geophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis,
OR 97331-5503, USA
Florent Lyard
LEGOS-OMP laboratory, Toulouse, 31401, France
Richard D. Ray
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
Clément Ubelmann
Ocean Next, La Terrasse, 38660, France
Edward Zaron
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Portland State
University, Portland, OR 97207-0751, USA
Zhongxiang Zhao
Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Jay F. Shriver
Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, MS, USA
Maarten Cornelis Buijsman
Division of Marine Science, University of Southern Mississippi,
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529, USA
Nicolas Picot
CNES, Toulouse, 31400, France
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Internal tides are generated by barotropic tidal currents flowing over variable topography. They play an important role in a variety of ocean processes such as diapycnal mixing and tracer transport. A global internal tide model is developed using 30 years of satellite altimetry data and a new mapping technique. It decomposes the internal tide field into 60 plane waves at each point, giving numerous long-range beams that contain key information on their generation, propagation, and dissipation.
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We present a new gridded sea surface height and current dataset produced by combining observations from nadir altimeters and drifting buoys. This product is based on a multiscale and multivariate mapping approach that offers the possibility to improve the physical content of gridded products by combining the data from various platforms and resolving a broader spectrum of ocean surface dynamic than in the current operational mapping system. A quality assessment of this new product is presented.
Edward D. Zaron, Tonia A. Capuano, and Ariane Koch-Larrouy
Ocean Sci., 19, 43–55, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-43-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-43-2023, 2023
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Phytoplankton in the upper ocean are food for fish and are thus economically important to humans; furthermore, phytoplankton consume nutrients and generate oxygen by photosynthesis, just like plants on land. Vertical mixing in the ocean is responsible for transporting nutrients into the sunlit zone of the surface ocean. We used remotely sensed data to quantify the influence of tidal mixing on phytoplankton through an analysis of ocean color, which we interpret as chlorophyll concentration.
Michel Tchilibou, Ariane Koch-Larrouy, Simon Barbot, Florent Lyard, Yves Morel, Julien Jouanno, and Rosemary Morrow
Ocean Sci., 18, 1591–1618, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-1591-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-1591-2022, 2022
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This high-resolution model-based study investigates the variability in the generation, propagation, and sea height signature (SSH) of the internal tide off the Amazon shelf during two contrasted seasons. ITs propagate further north during the season characterized by weak currents and mesoscale eddies and a shallow and strong pycnocline. IT imprints on SSH dominate those of the geostrophic motion for horizontal scales below 200 km; moreover, the SSH is mainly incoherent below 70 km.
Marie-Isabelle Pujol, Stéphanie Dupuy, Oscar Vergara, Antonio Sánchez-Román, Yannice Faugère, Pierre Prandi, Mei-Ling Dabat, Quentin Dagneaux, Marine Lievin, Emeline Cadier, Gérald Dibarboure, and Nicolas Picot
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2022-292, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2022-292, 2022
Manuscript not accepted for further review
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An altimeter sea level along-track level-3 product with a 5 Hz (~1.2 km) sampling is proposed. It takes advantage of recent advances in radar altimeter processing, and improvements made to different stages of the processing chain. Compared to the conventional 1 Hz (~7 km) product, it significantly improves the observability of the short wavelength signal in open ocean and near coast areas (> 5 km). It also contributes to improving high resolution numerical model outputs via data assimilation.
Takaya Uchida, Julien Le Sommer, Charles Stern, Ryan P. Abernathey, Chris Holdgraf, Aurélie Albert, Laurent Brodeau, Eric P. Chassignet, Xiaobiao Xu, Jonathan Gula, Guillaume Roullet, Nikolay Koldunov, Sergey Danilov, Qiang Wang, Dimitris Menemenlis, Clément Bricaud, Brian K. Arbic, Jay F. Shriver, Fangli Qiao, Bin Xiao, Arne Biastoch, René Schubert, Baylor Fox-Kemper, William K. Dewar, and Alan Wallcraft
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 5829–5856, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-5829-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-5829-2022, 2022
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Ocean and climate scientists have used numerical simulations as a tool to examine the ocean and climate system since the 1970s. Since then, owing to the continuous increase in computational power and advances in numerical methods, we have been able to simulate increasing complex phenomena. However, the fidelity of the simulations in representing the phenomena remains a core issue in the ocean science community. Here we propose a cloud-based framework to inter-compare and assess such simulations.
Richard D. Ray
Ocean Sci., 18, 1073–1079, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-1073-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-1073-2022, 2022
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Seasonal variability of the M2 ocean tide can be detected at many ports. The physical mechanisms underlying seasonality, in the broadest terms, are astronomical, frictional–advective interactions, and climate processes. Some of these induce annual modulations, some semiannual, in amplitude, phase, or both. This note reviews how this occurs and gives an example from each broad category. Phase conventions and their relationship with causal mechanisms, as well as nomenclature, are also addressed.
Clément Ubelmann, Loren Carrere, Chloé Durand, Gérald Dibarboure, Yannice Faugère, Maxime Ballarotta, Frédéric Briol, and Florent Lyard
Ocean Sci., 18, 469–481, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-469-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-469-2022, 2022
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The signature of internal tides has become an important component for high-resolution altimetry over oceans. Several studies have proposed some solutions to resolve part of these internal tides based on the altimetry record. Following these studies, we propose here a new inversion approach aimed to mitigate aliasing with other dynamics. After a description of the methodology, the solution for the main tidal components has been successfully validated against independent observations.
Simon Barbot, Florent Lyard, Michel Tchilibou, and Loren Carrere
Ocean Sci., 17, 1563–1583, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-1563-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-1563-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Internal tides are responsible for surface deformations of the ocean that could affect the measurements of the forthcoming SWOT altimetric mission and need to be corrected. This study highlights the variability of the properties of internal tides based on the stratification variability only. A single methodology is successfully applied in two areas driven by different oceanic processes: the western equatorial Atlantic and the Bay of Biscay.
Yi Gong, Haibin Song, Zhongxiang Zhao, Yongxian Guan, Kun Zhang, Yunyan Kuang, and Wenhao Fan
Nonlin. Processes Geophys., 28, 445–465, https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-28-445-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-28-445-2021, 2021
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When the internal solitary wave propagates to the continental shelf and slope, the polarity reverses due to the shallower water depth. In this process, the internal solitary wave dissipates energy and enhances diapycnal mixing, thus affecting the local oceanic environment. In this study, we used reflection seismic data to evaluate the spatial distribution of the diapycnal mixing around the polarity-reversing internal solitary waves.
Philip L. Woodworth, J. A. Mattias Green, Richard D. Ray, and John M. Huthnance
Ocean Sci., 17, 809–818, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-809-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-809-2021, 2021
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This special issue marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Liverpool Tidal Institute (LTI). The preface gives a history of the LTI founding and of its first two directors. It also gives an overview of LTI research on tides. Summaries are given of the 26 papers in the special issue. Their topics could be thought of as providing a continuation of the research first undertaken at the LTI. They provide an interesting snapshot of work on tides now being made by groups around the world.
Sandrine Mulet, Marie-Hélène Rio, Hélène Etienne, Camilia Artana, Mathilde Cancet, Gérald Dibarboure, Hui Feng, Romain Husson, Nicolas Picot, Christine Provost, and P. Ted Strub
Ocean Sci., 17, 789–808, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-789-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-789-2021, 2021
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Satellite altimetry has revolutionized ocean observation by allowing the sea level to be monitored with very good spatiotemporal coverage. However, only the sea level anomalies are retrieved; to monitor the whole oceanic signal a temporal mean (called mean dynamic topography, MDT) must be added to these anomalies. In this study we present the newly updated CNES-CLS18 MDT. An evaluation of this new solution shows significant improvements in both strong currents and coastal areas.
Florent H. Lyard, Damien J. Allain, Mathilde Cancet, Loren Carrère, and Nicolas Picot
Ocean Sci., 17, 615–649, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-615-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-615-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Since the mid-1990s, a series of FES (finite element solution) global ocean tidal atlases has been produced with the primary objective to provide altimetry missions with a tidal de-aliasing correction. We describe the underlying hydrodynamic/data assimilation design and accuracy assessments for the FES2014 release. The FES2014 atlas shows overall improved performance and has consequently been integrated in satellite altimetry and gravimetric data processing and adopted in ITRF standards.
Michel Tchilibou, Lionel Gourdeau, Florent Lyard, Rosemary Morrow, Ariane Koch Larrouy, Damien Allain, and Bughsin Djath
Ocean Sci., 16, 615–635, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-16-615-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-16-615-2020, 2020
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This paper focuses on internal tides in the marginal Solomon Sea where LLWBCs transit. The objective is to characterize such internal tides and to give some insights into their impacts on water mass transformation in this area of interest for the global circulation. Results are discussed for two contrasted ENSO conditions with different mesoscale activity and stratification. Such study is motivated by the next altimetric SWOT mission that will be able to observe such phenomena.
Violaine Piton, Marine Herrmann, Florent Lyard, Patrick Marsaleix, Thomas Duhaut, Damien Allain, and Sylvain Ouillon
Geosci. Model Dev., 13, 1583–1607, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-13-1583-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-13-1583-2020, 2020
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Consequences of tidal dynamics on hydro-sedimentary processes are a recurrent issue in estuarine and coastal processes studies, and accurate tidal solutions are a prerequisite for modeling sediment transport. This study presents the implementation and optimization of a model configuration in terms of bathymetry and bottom friction and assess the influence of these parameters on tidal solutions, in a macro-tidal environment: the Gulf of Tonkin (Vietnam).
Edward D. Zaron
Ocean Sci., 15, 1287–1305, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-15-1287-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-15-1287-2019, 2019
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Ocean forecasting systems predict ocean water level, but the accuracy of predictions varies as a function of the forecast lead time and the dynamics causing water level variability. This study investigates the accuracy of predictions of tidal water levels in the AMSEAS forecast system, with emphasis on the small (roughly 5 cm) fluctuations associated with the baroclinic tide.
Maxime Ballarotta, Clément Ubelmann, Marie-Isabelle Pujol, Guillaume Taburet, Florent Fournier, Jean-François Legeais, Yannice Faugère, Antoine Delepoulle, Dudley Chelton, Gérald Dibarboure, and Nicolas Picot
Ocean Sci., 15, 1091–1109, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-15-1091-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-15-1091-2019, 2019
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This study investigates the resolving capabilities of the DUACS gridded products delivered through the CMEMS catalogue. Our method is based on the noise-to-signal ratio approach. While altimeter along-track data resolve scales on the order of a few tens of kilometers, we found that the merging of these along-track data into continuous maps in time and space leads to effective resolution ranging from ~ 800 km wavelength at the Equator to 100 km wavelength at high latitude.
Michaël Ablain, Benoît Meyssignac, Lionel Zawadzki, Rémi Jugier, Aurélien Ribes, Giorgio Spada, Jerôme Benveniste, Anny Cazenave, and Nicolas Picot
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 11, 1189–1202, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-1189-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-1189-2019, 2019
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A description of the uncertainties in the Global Mean Sea Level (GMSL) record has been performed; 25 years of satellite altimetry data were used to estimate the error variance–covariance matrix for the GMSL record to derive its confidence envelope. Then a least square approach was used to estimate the GMSL trend and acceleration uncertainties over any time periods. A GMSL trend of 3.35 ± 0.4 mm/yr and a GMSL acceleration of 0.12 ± 0.07 mm/yr² have been found within a 90 % confidence level.
Michel Tchilibou, Lionel Gourdeau, Rosemary Morrow, Guillaume Serazin, Bughsin Djath, and Florent Lyard
Ocean Sci., 14, 1283–1301, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-14-1283-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-14-1283-2018, 2018
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This paper is motivated by the next SWOT altimetric mission dedicated to the observation of mesoscale and submesoscale oceanic features. It focuses on tropical areas with a strong discrepancy in the spectral signature between altimetry and models. The paper reviews the spectral signature of tropical turbulence which presents a rich variety of phenomena depending on the latitudinal dependence of the Coriolis force. Internal tides observed by altimetry explain the discrepancy with the model.
Graham D. Quartly, Jean-François Legeais, Michaël Ablain, Lionel Zawadzki, M. Joana Fernandes, Sergei Rudenko, Loren Carrère, Pablo Nilo García, Paolo Cipollini, Ole B. Andersen, Jean-Christophe Poisson, Sabrina Mbajon Njiche, Anny Cazenave, and Jérôme Benveniste
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 9, 557–572, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-9-557-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-9-557-2017, 2017
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We have produced an improved monthly record of mean sea level for 1993–2015. It is developed by careful processing of the records from nine satellite altimeter missions, making use of the best available orbits, instrumental corrections and geophysical corrections. This paper details the selection process and the processing method. The data are suitable for investigation of sea level changes at scales from seasonal to long-term sea level rise, including interannual variations due to El Niño.
David E. Cartwright, Philip L. Woodworth, and Richard D. Ray
Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 8, 9–19, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-8-9-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-8-9-2017, 2017
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This paper discusses an historical record of the ocean tide made by the astronomer Manuel Johnson (a future President of the Royal Astronomical Society) at St. Helena in 1826–27. It describes how the measurements were made using a tide gauge of an unusual design, which recorded the heights of the high and low tides well, although information on their times were not so accurate. Johnson’s work is not well known. One objective of the present research was to make his measurements more accessible.
Marie-Isabelle Pujol, Yannice Faugère, Guillaume Taburet, Stéphanie Dupuy, Camille Pelloquin, Michael Ablain, and Nicolas Picot
Ocean Sci., 12, 1067–1090, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-12-1067-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-12-1067-2016, 2016
Loren Carrere, Yannice Faugère, and Michaël Ablain
Ocean Sci., 12, 825–842, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-12-825-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-12-825-2016, 2016
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New dynamic atmospheric (DAC_ERA) and dry tropospheric (DT_ERA) correction have been computed for the altimeter period using the ERA-Interim meteorological reanalysis. The corrections improve sea level estimations in Southern Ocean and in shallow waters; the impact is the most important for the first decade of altimetry, when operational meteorological models had a weaker quality. DT_ERA remains better in the recent period. New corrections significantly impact long-term regional trends.
Lionel Zawadzki, Michaël Ablain, Loren Carrere, Richard D. Ray, Nikita P. Zelensky, Florent Lyard, Amandine Guillot, and Nicolas Picot
Ocean Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/os-2016-19, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-2016-19, 2016
Preprint withdrawn
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Mean sea level (MSL) is a prominent indicator of climatic change, and is therefore of great scientific and societal interest. Since the beginning of the altimeter mission TOPEX/Poseidon and its successors Jason-1 and Jason-2, MSL products became essential for climate applications. Since 1995, a suspicious signal is apparent in the corresponding MSL record. Since 2010, scientific teams have been working on reducing this error. This paper assesses, characterizes and quantifies this reduction.
J. M. Magalhaes, J. C. B. da Silva, M. C. Buijsman, and C. A. E. Garcia
Ocean Sci., 12, 243–255, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-12-243-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-12-243-2016, 2016
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Satellite imagery reveals intense internal solitary waves (ISWs) seen hundreds of kilometres from the Amazon shelf and extending for 500 km into the open ocean (propagating above 3 m/s, amongst the fastest ever recorded). Seasonality is discussed in light of the North Equatorial Counter Current, and a late disintegration of the internal tide (IT) is investigated based on climatological data. A late disintegration of the IT may explain other ISW observations in the world’s oceans.
M. Ablain, A. Cazenave, G. Larnicol, M. Balmaseda, P. Cipollini, Y. Faugère, M. J. Fernandes, O. Henry, J. A. Johannessen, P. Knudsen, O. Andersen, J. Legeais, B. Meyssignac, N. Picot, M. Roca, S. Rudenko, M. G. Scharffenberg, D. Stammer, G. Timms, and J. Benveniste
Ocean Sci., 11, 67–82, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-11-67-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-11-67-2015, 2015
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This paper presents various respective data improvements achieved within the European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (ESA CCI) project on sea level during its first phase (2010-2013), using multi-mission satellite altimetry data over the 1993-2010 time span.
C. Maraldi, J. Chanut, B. Levier, N. Ayoub, P. De Mey, G. Reffray, F. Lyard, S. Cailleau, M. Drévillon, E. A. Fanjul, M. G. Sotillo, P. Marsaleix, and the Mercator Research and Development Team
Ocean Sci., 9, 745–771, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-9-745-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-9-745-2013, 2013
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Short summary
Internal tides can have a signature of several centimeters at the ocean surface and need to be corrected from altimeter measurements. We present a detailed validation of several internal-tide models using existing satellite altimeter databases. The analysis focuses on the main diurnal and semidiurnal tidal constituents. Results show the interest of the methodology proposed, the quality of the internal-tide models tested and their positive contribution for estimating an accurate sea level.
Internal tides can have a signature of several centimeters at the ocean surface and need to be...
