Globcurrent: Sentinel-3 synergy in action

Johannessen, JA, Chapron, B, Collard, F, Rio, M-H, Piollé, J-F, Quartly, GD, Shutler, J, Escola, R, Donlon, CJ, Danielson, R, Korosov, A, Raj, RP, Kudryavtsev, V, Roca, M, Tournadre, J, Larnicol, G, Labroue, S, Miller, PI, Nencioli, F, Warren, M and Hansen, M 2015 Globcurrent: Sentinel-3 synergy in action. Proceedings of Sentinel-3 for Science Workshop (2-5 June 2015, Venice, Italy), SP-734. 6, pp.

Preview

Text s2_5johannessen_GlobCurrent.pdf - Published Version Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract/Summary

The ESA Data User Element (DUE) funded GlobCurrent project (http://www.globcurrent.org) aims to: (i) advance the quantitative estimation of ocean surface currents from satellite sensor synergy; and (ii) demonstrate impact in user-led scientific, operational and commercial applications that, in turn, will improve and strengthen the uptake of satellite measurements. Today, a synergetic approach for quantitative analysis can build on high-resolution imaging radar and spectrometer data, infrared radiometer data and radar altimeter measurements. It will further integrate Sentinel-3 in combination with Sentinel-1 SAR data. From existing and past missions, it is often demonstrated that sharp gradients in the sea surface temperature (SST) field and the ocean surface chlorophyll-a distribution are spatially correlated with the sea surface roughness anomaly fields at small spatial scales, in the sub-mesocale (1-10 km) to the mesoscale (30-80 km). At the larger mesoscale range (>50 km), information derived from radar altimeters often depict the presence of coherent structures and eddies. The variability often appears largest in regions where the intense surface current regimes (>100 - 200 km) are found. These 2-dimensional structures manifested in the satellite observations represent evidence of the upper ocean (~100-200 m) dynamics. Whereas the quasi geostrophic assumption is valid for the upper ocean dynamics at the larger scale (>100 km), possible triggering mechanisms for the expressions at the mesoscale-to-submesoscale may include spiraling tracers of inertial motion and the interaction of the wind-driven Ekman layer with the quasi-geostrophic current field. This latter, in turn, produces bands of downwelling (convergence) and upwelling (divergence) near fronts. A regular utilization of the sensor synergy approach with the combination of Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-1 will provide a highly valuable data set for further research and development to better relate the 2-dimensional surface expressions and the upper ocean dynamics.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Subjects:	Earth Observation - Remote Sensing Oceanography
Divisions:	Plymouth Marine Laboratory > Science Areas > Sea from Space (expired)
Depositing User:	Graham Quartly
Date made live:	29 Mar 2016 11:06
Last Modified:	06 Jun 2017 16:16
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/6986

Actions (login required)

View Item