Data Interpolating Empirical Orthogonal Functions (DINEOF): a tool for geophysical data analyses

in Mediterranean Marine Science (in press)

An overview of the technique called DINEOF (Data Interpolating Empirical Orthog- onal Functions) is presented. DINEOF reconstructs missing information in geophys- ical data sets, such as satellite imagery ... [more ▼]

An overview of the technique called DINEOF (Data Interpolating Empirical Orthog- onal Functions) is presented. DINEOF reconstructs missing information in geophys- ical data sets, such as satellite imagery or time series. A summary of the technique is given, with its main characteristics, recent developments and future research di- rections. DINEOF has been applied to a large variety of oceanographic variables in various domains of different sizes. This technique can be applied to a single variable (monovariate approach), or to several variables together (multivariate approach), with no complexity increase in the application of the technique. Error fields can be computed to establish the accuracy of the reconstruction. Examples are given to illustrate the capabilities of the technique. DINEOF is freely offered to download, and help is provided to users in the form of a wiki and through a discussion email list. [less ▲]

Generation of analysis and consistent error fields using the Data Interpolating Variational Analysis (Diva)

Poster (2012, November 15)

An EOF-based technique to compute merged high resolution sea surface temperature fields

Conference (2012, May 10)

High quality sea surface temperature (SST) data sets are needed for various applications, including numerical weather prediction, ocean forecasting and climate research. The coverage, resolution and ... [more ▼]

High quality sea surface temperature (SST) data sets are needed for various applications, including numerical weather prediction, ocean forecasting and climate research. The coverage, resolution and precision of individual SST satellite observations is not sufficient for these applications, therefore the merging of these complementary data sets is needed to reduce the final data set error. This is usually performed by optimal interpolation (OI).We present an extension of the capabilities of DINEOF (Data INterpolating Empirical Orthogonal Functions) to merge data from different platforms. The analysis is based on the formalism of OI, but the crucial difference is that the error covariance is not parametrized a priori using an analytical expression, but expressed using a spatial EOF basis calculated by DINEOF. This EOF basis represents more realistically the complex variability of SST data sets than the parametric covariance used in most OI applications. An example will be presented using data from a polar-orbiting satellite (AVHRR on MetOp) and a geostationary satellite (SEVIRI on MSG). The high spatial resolution of the polar-orbiting satellite and the high temporal resolution of the geostationary satellite are retained to create a very high spatial and temporal resolution field of the western Mediterranean SST. The results are validated with independent data. [less ▲]

Interannual variability of Black Sea’s hydrodynamics and connection to atmospheric patterns

Conference (2012, May 09)

The long term variability (1962–2000) of the Black Sea physical processes (e.g. temperature, main circulation, cold intermediate layer, sea level) and its relation to atmospheric conditions and large ... [more ▼]

The long term variability (1962–2000) of the Black Sea physical processes (e.g. temperature, main circulation, cold intermediate layer, sea level) and its relation to atmospheric conditions and large scale climate patterns are investigated using an eddy-resolving tridimensional model in combination with statistical tools (e.g. Empirical Orthogonal Functions, Self Organizing Maps). First, the ability of the model to represent the interannual dynamics of the system is assessed by comparing the modeled and satellite sea surface temperature (SST) and sea level anomaly (SLA) decomposed into their dominant Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs). The correlation between the spatial and temporal EOFs modes derived from model and satellite data is usually satisfactory and this gives some confidence in using the model as a tool to investigate not only the SST and SLA dynamics but also the dynamics of connected variables. Then, the long term variability (1962–2000) of the Black Sea hydrodynamics is assessed by decomposing into their dominant EOFs modeled SST, SLA and selected key hydrodynamical variables associated to the main circulation and vertical structure of the water column. Significant correlations between the EOFs associated to these variables are investigated in order to link the variability of surface fields and the internal dynamics of the system. In particular, the intensity of the general cyclonic circulation (the Rim Current) is shown to impact strongly (1) the mean sea level, (2) the SST response to air temperature (AT), (3) the formation of the cold intermediate layer, (4) the meridional repartition of the SST anomaly and (5) the exchanges of heat between the north-western shelf and the open basin. In order to appraise the variability of atmospheric conditions over the Black Sea during 1962–2000 and their role in driving the hydrodynamics, a self-organizing maps technique is used to identify spatial recurrent patterns of atmospheric fields (i.e., AT, wind stress and curl). The impact on these patterns of large scale climatic variability over the north Atlantic and Eurasia (estimated by respectively the north Atlantic oscillation (NAO) and the east Atlantic/west Russia oscillation (EA/WR) indexes) is assessed. Distinct time scales of influence of the large scale teleconnection patterns on the AT are identified: EA/WR drives the short scale (1–5 years) variations of SST, while the long term (4-5 years) trends of the NAO drive the long term SST trends. The drastic changes that have occurred in the Black Sea deep sea ecosystem at the end of the 80s are connected to an intensification of the general circulation that has promoted an export of riverine materials from the eutrophicated north-western shelf to the deep sea. Finally, in the last two decades, we find an increased duration of persistent atmospheric anomalies regime that has the potential to drive the system away from its average state as occurred in the late 80s. If persistent in the future, such long lasting atmospheric anomalies may have a significant impact on the ecosystem functioning. [less ▲]

Reconstruction and analysis of QuikSCAT wind measurements with an EOF-based technique

Poster (2012, April 24)

QuikSCAT wind products are often used to provide numerical model atmospheric forcing. However, due to the configuration of the satellite swaths, gaps are frequently observed in the daily wind maps. We ... [more ▼]

QuikSCAT wind products are often used to provide numerical model atmospheric forcing. However, due to the configuration of the satellite swaths, gaps are frequently observed in the daily wind maps. We present a solution based on truncated EOF decomposition to fill these gaps. [less ▲]

Sensitivity of the Oxygen Dynamics in the Black Sea North Western Shelf to physical and biogeochemical processes : 3D model approach

Conference (2012, March 13)

The presentation evidences the role of benthic oxygen consumption in the seasonal hypoxia afecting the Norht western shelf of the Black Sea. Spatial variability of related processes is evidenced and ... [more ▼]

The presentation evidences the role of benthic oxygen consumption in the seasonal hypoxia afecting the Norht western shelf of the Black Sea. Spatial variability of related processes is evidenced and finally interanual variability of hypoxia severity is quantified and related to nitrogen riverine inputs. [less ▲]

Viewing through the clouds in satellite images

Poster (2012, February 24)

Interannual variability of Black Sea’s hydrodynamics and connection to atmospheric patterns

in Deep-Sea Research Part II, Topical Studies in Oceanography (2012)

The long term variability (1962–2000) of the Black Sea physical processes (e.g. temperature, main circulation, cold intermediate layer, sea level) and its relation to atmospheric conditions and large ... [more ▼]

The long term variability (1962–2000) of the Black Sea physical processes (e.g. temperature, main circulation, cold intermediate layer, sea level) and its relation to atmospheric conditions and large scale climate patterns are investigated using an eddy-resolving tridimensional model in ombination with statistical tools (e.g. Empirical Orthogonal Functions, Self Organizing Maps). First, the ability of the model to represent the interannual dynamics of the system is assessed by comparing the modeled and satellite sea surface temperature (SST) and sea level anomaly (SLA) decomposed into their dominant Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs). The correlation between the spatial and temporal EOFs modes derived from model and satellite data is usually satisfactory and this gives some confidence in using the model as a tool to investigate not only the SST and SLA dynamics but also the dynamics of connected variables. Then, the long term variability (1962–2000) of the Black Sea hydrodynamics is assessed by decomposing into their dominant EOFs modeled SST, SLA and selected key hydrodynamical variables associated to the main circulation and vertical structure of the water column. Significant correlations between the EOFs associated to these variables are investigated in order to link the variability of surface fields and the internal dynamics of the system. In particular, the intensity of the general cyclonic circulation (the Rim Current) is shown to impact strongly (1) the mean sea level, (2) the SST response to air temperature (AT), (3) the formation of the cold intermediate layer, (4) the meridional repartition of the SST anomaly and (5) the exchanges of heat between the north-western shelf and the open basin. In order to appraise the variability of atmospheric conditions over the Black Sea during 1962–2000 and their role in driving the hydrodynamics, a self-organizing maps technique is used to identify spatial recurrent patterns of atmospheric fields (i.e., AT, wind stress and curl). The impact on these patterns of large scale climatic variability over the north Atlantic, Eurasia and the Pacific Ocean (estimated by respectively the north Atlantic oscillation (NAO), the east Atlantic/west ̃Russia oscillation (EA/WR) and the El Nino southern oscillation (ENSO) indexes) is assessed. Distinct time scales of influence of the large scale teleconnection patterns on the AT are identified: EA/WR drives the short scale (1–5 years) variations of SST, while the long term (4-5 years) trends of the NAO drive the long term SST trends. The drastic changes that have occurred in the Black Sea deep sea ecosystem at the end of the 80s are connected to an intensification of the general circulation that has promoted an export of riverine materials from the eutrophicated north-western shelf to the deep sea. Finally, in the last two decades, we find an increased duration of persistent atmospheric anomalies regime that has the potential to drive the system away from its average state as occurred in the late 80s. If persistent in the future, such long lasting atmospheric anomalies may have a significant impact on the ecosystem functioning. [less ▲]

Introduction to Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Physical and Numerical Aspects, 2nd Edition Volume 101

Book published by Academic Press (2011)

The long-awaited second edition of this classic text now combines both physical and numerical aspects of geophysical fluid dynamics -- the principles governing air and water flows on large terrestrial ... [more ▼]

The long-awaited second edition of this classic text now combines both physical and numerical aspects of geophysical fluid dynamics -- the principles governing air and water flows on large terrestrial scales --into a single affordable volume. [less ▲]

High-resolution measurements of an upwelling filament during the CAIBEX survey

Poster (2011, May 02)

Upwelling filaments have been studied for several years. We aim to explain the general process in terms of potential vorticity: An injection of positive vorticity north of the Cape forces the jet to turn ... [more ▼]

Upwelling filaments have been studied for several years. We aim to explain the general process in terms of potential vorticity: An injection of positive vorticity north of the Cape forces the jet to turn offshore, in virtue of the principle of vorticity conservation. The Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) is implemented in the Cape Ghir region, with horizontal resolution lower than 1 km. A set of process-oriented experiments has been designed in order to determine the mechanisms at the origin of the filament. [less ▲]