A robust minimization-based framework for cyclogeostrophic ocean surface current retrieval

Bertrand, Vadim; Le Sommer, Julien; Vianna Zaia De Almeida, Victor; Samson, Adeline; Cosme, Emmanuel

doi:10.5194/os-22-241-2026

Articles | Volume 22, issue 1

https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-241-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-241-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 22, issue 1

Research article

|

21 Jan 2026

Research article |

| 21 Jan 2026

A robust minimization-based framework for cyclogeostrophic ocean surface current retrieval

Vadim Bertrand, Julien Le Sommer, Victor Vianna Zaia De Almeida, Adeline Samson, and Emmanuel Cosme

Data sets

A Robust Minimization-Based Framework for Cyclogeostrophic Ocean Surface Current Retrieval: Minimal datasets Vadim Bertrand https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16099419

Global Ocean Gridded L4 Sea Surface Heights And Derived Variables Reprocessed 1993 Ongoing DUACS https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00148

Daily NeurOST L4 Sea Surface Height and Surface Geostrophic Currents NeurOST https://doi.org/10.5067/NEURO-STV24

NOAA Global Drifter Program quality-controlled 6-hour interpolated data from ocean surface drifting buoys R. Lumpkin and L. Centurioni https://doi.org/10.25921/7ntx-z961

Model code and software

jaxparrow Vadim Bertrand et al. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13886070

Material Vadim Bertrand https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18151294

A Robust Minimization-Based Framework for Cyclo- geostrophic Ocean Surface Current Retrieval: Material (1.0.0) Vadim Bertrand https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1815129

Short summary

Understanding ocean surface currents is essential for navigation and environmental monitoring. Traditionally, currents are estimated from satellite sea surface height using a simplified balance. We developed a new method that goes beyond this approximation, providing more accurate currents estimates. Using a model simulation, satellite observations, and drifters data, we show that these corrections become increasingly important at finer spatial scales, especially in energetic regions.