Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Impacts of XBT, TAO, altimetry and ARGO observations on the tropical Pacific Ocean data assimilation

  • Published:
Advances in Atmospheric Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study aims at assessing the relative impacts of four major components of the tropical Pacific Ocean observing system on assimilation of temperature and salinity fields. Observations were collected over a period between January 2001 through June 2003 including temperature data from the expendable bathythermographs (XBT), thermistor data from the Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere Tropical Atmosphere-Ocean (TOGA-TAO) mooring array, sea level anomalies from the Topex/Poseidon and Jason-1 altimetry (T/P-J), and temperature and salinity profiles from the Array for Real-time Geostrophic Oceanography (ARGO) floats.

An efficient three-dimensional variational analysis-based method was introduced to assimilate the above data into the tropical-Pacific circulation model. To evaluate the impact of the individual component of the observing system, four observation system experiments were carried out. The experiment that assimilated all four components of the observing system was taken as the reference. The other three experiments were implemented by withholding one of the four components. Results show that the spatial distribution of the data influences its relative contribution. XBT observations produce the most distinguished effects on temperature analyses in the off-equatorial region due to the large amount of measurements and high quality. Similarly, the impact of TAO is dominant in the equatorial region due to the focus of the spatial distribution. The Topex/Poseidon-Jason-1 can be highly complementary where the XBT and TAO observations are sparse. The contribution of XBT or TAO on the assimilated salinity is made by the model dynamics because no salinity observations from them are assimilated. Therefore, T/P-J, as a main source for providing salinity data, has been shown to have greater impacts than either XBT or TAO on the salinity analysis. Although ARGO includes the subsurface observations, the relatively smaller number of observation makes it have the smallest contribution to the assimilation system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alves, J. O. S., D. L. T. Anderson, and K. Haines, 2001: Sea level assimilation experiments in the tropical Pacific. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 31, 305–323.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ando, K., and M. J. McPhaden, 1997: Variability of surface layer hydrography in the tropical Pacific. J. Geophys. Res., 102, 23 063–23 078.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behringer, D. W., M. Ji, and A. Leetmaa, 1998: An improved coupled model for ENSO prediction and implications for ocean initialization. Part I: The ocean data assimilation system. Mon. Wea. Rev., 126, 1013–1021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourassa, M. A., S. R. Smith, and J. J. O’Brien, 2001: A new FSU winds and flux climatology. 11th Conference on Interactions of the Sea and Atmosphere, San Diego, CA, Amer. Meteor. Soc., 912pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brusdal, K., J. Brankart, G. Halberstadt, G. Evensen, P. Brasseur, P. J. van Leeuwen, E. Dombrowsky, and J. Verron, 2003: An evaluation of ensemble based assimilation methods with a layered OGCM from the perspective of operational ocean forecasting systems. J. Mar. Sys., 40, 253–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, D., M. A. Cane, S. E. Zebiak, and A. Kaplan, 1998: The impact of sea level data assimilation on the Lamont model prediction of the 1997/1998 El Niño. Geophys. Res. Lett., 25, 2837–2840.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clancy, R. M., P. A. Phoebus, and K. D. Pollak, 1990: An operational global-scale ocean thermal analysis system. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 7, 233–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delcroix, T., C. Henin, V. Porte, and P. Arkin, 1996: Precipitation and sea surface salinity in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Deep-Sea Res. (Part I), 43, 1123–1141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Derber, J. D., and A. Rosati, 1989: A global oceanic data assimilation system. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 19, 1333–1347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, M., M. Latif, M. Flugel, and M. Ji, 1997: The impact of data assimilation on ENSO simulations and predictions. Mon. Wea. Rev., 125, 819–829.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fujii, Y., and M. Kamachi, 2003: Three-dimensional analysis of temperature and salinity in the equatorial Pacific using a variational method with vertical coupled temperature-salinity empirical orthogonal function modes. J. Geophys. Res., 108(C9), doi:10.1029/2002JC001745.

  • Fukumori, I., R. Raghunath, L. L. Fu, and Y. Chao, 1999: Assimilation of TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter data into a global ocean circulation model: How good are the results? J. Geophys. Res., 104, 25647–25665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu Weiwei, Zhou Guangqing, and Wang Huijun, 2004: Ocean data assimilation with background error covariance derived from OGCM outputs. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 21(2), 181–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, A. E., and E. M. Rasmusson, 1983: The 1982/83 climate anomaly in the equatorial Pacific. Nature, 306, 229–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haines, K., J. D. Blower, J. P. Drecourt, C. Liu, A. Vidard, I. Astin, and X. Zhou, 2006: Salinity assimilation using S(T): covariance relationship. Mon. Wea. Rev., 134, 759–771.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hellerman, S., and M. Rosenstein, 1983: Normal monthly wind stress over the world ocean with error estimates. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 13, 1093–1104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henin, C., Y. du Penhoat, and M. Ioulalen, 1998: Observations of sea surface salinity in the western Pacific fresh pool: Large-scale changes in 1992–1995. J. Geophys. Res., 103, 7523–7536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirose, N., I. Fukumori, C.-H. Kim, and J.-H. Yoon, 2005: Numerical simulation and satellite altimeter data assimilation of the Japan Sea circulation. Deep-Sea Res. (Part II), 52, 1443–1463.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ji, M., A. Leetmaa, and J. Derber, 1995: An ocean analysis system for seasonal to inter-annual climate studies. Mon. Wea. Rev., 123, 460–481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keppenne, C. L., and M. M. Rienecker, 2003: Assimilation of temperature into an isopycnal ocean general circulation model using a parallel ensemble Kalman filter. J. Mar. Syst., 40–41, 363–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lagerloef, G., and T. Delcroix, 2001: Sea surface salinity: A regional case study for the tropical Pacific. Observing the Ocean in the 21st Century, C. Koblinski and N. Smith, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne, Australia, 137–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Traon, P. Y., F. Nadal, and N. Ducet, 1998: An improved mapping method of multi-satellite altimeter data. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 15, 522–534.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levitus, S., and Coauthors, 1998: World Ocean Database 1998a, Volume 1: Introduction. NOAA Atlas NESDIS 18., U. S. Government Printing Office, Wash., D. C., 346pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maes, C., 1999: A note on the vertical scales of temperature and salinity and their signature in dynamic height in the western Pacific Ocean: Implications for data assimilation. J. Geophys. Res., 104, 15,575–15,585.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maes, C., 2000: Salinity variability in the equatorial Pacific Ocean during the 1993–98 period. Geophys. Res. Lett., 27, 1659–1662.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maes, C., and D. Behringer, 2000: Using satellite-derived sea level and temperature profiles for determining the salinity variability: A new approach. J. Geophys. Res., 105(C4), 8537–8547.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maes, C., D. Behringer, R. W. Reynolds, and M. Ji, 2000: Retrospective analysis of the salinity variability in the western tropical Pacific Ocean using an indirect minimization approach. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 17, 512–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pacanowski, R., and S. G. H. Philander, 1981: Parameterization of vertical mixing in numerical models of the tropical ocean. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 11, 1443–1451.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parent, L., C.-E. Testut, J.-M. Brankart, J. Verron, P. Brasseur, and L. Gourdeau, 2003: Comparative assimilation of Topex/Poseidon and ERS alitmeter data and of TAO temperature data in the tropical Pacific ocean during 1994–1998, and the mean sea-surface height issue. J. Mar. Syst., 40–41, 381–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmusson, E. M., and T. H. Carpenter, 1982: Variations in tropical sea surface temperature and surface wind fields associated with the Southern Oscillation/El Nino. Mon. Wea. Rev., 110, 354–384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, R. W., N. A. Rayner, T. M. Smith, D. C. Stokes, and W. Wang, 2002: An improved in-situ and satelltite SST analysis for climate. J. Climate, 15, 1609–1625.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricci, S., A. T. Weaver, J. Vialard, and P. Rogel, 2005: Incorporating state-dependent temperature-salinity constraints in the background error covariance of variational ocean data assimilation. Mon. Wea. Rev., 133, 317–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roemmich, D., and Coauthors, 2001: Argo: The global array of profiling floats. Observing the Oceans in the 21st Century, C. J. Koblinsky and N. R. Smith, Eds., GODAE Project Office, Bureau of Meteorology, Australia, 248–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogel, P., A. T. Weaver, N. Daget, S. Ricci, and E. Machu, 2005: Ensembles of global ocean analyses for seasonal climate prediction: Impact of temperature assimilation. Tellus, 57A, 375–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, N. R., and G. Meyers, 1996: An evaluation of expendable bathythermograph and Tropical Atmosphere-Ocean Array for monitoring tropical ocean variability. J. Geophys. Res., 101(C12), 28 489–28 501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troccoli, A., and Coauthors, 2002: Salinity adjustments in the presence of temperature data assimilation. Mon. Wea. Rev., 130, 89–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troccoli, A., and K. Haines, 1999: Use of the Temperature-Salinity relation in a data assimilation context. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 16, 2011–2025.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vialard, J., A. T. Weaver, D. L. T. Anderson, and P. Delecluse, 2003: Three-and four-dimensional variational assimilation with a general circulation model of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Part II: Physical validation. Mon. Wea. Rev., 131, 1379–1395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vossepoel, F., and D. W. Behringer, 2000: Impact of sea level assimilation on salinity variability in the western equatorial Pacific. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 30, 1706–1721.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vossepoel, F. C., R. W. Reynolds, and L. Miller, 1999: Use of sea level observations to estimate salinity variability in the tropical Pacific. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 16, 1401–1415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weaver, A. T., J. Vialard, and D. L. T. Anderson, 2003: Three-and four-dimensional variational assimilation with a general circulation model of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Part I: Formulation, internal diagnostics, and consistency checks. Mon. Wea. Rev., 131, 1360–1378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan, Changxiang, J. Zhu, R. Li, and G. Zhou, 2004: Roles of vertical correlations of background error and T-S relations in estimation of temperature and salinity profiles from sea surface dynamic height. J. Geophys. Res., 109, C08010, doi:10.1029/2003JC002224.

  • Zhang, R., and M. Endoh, 1992: A free surface general circulation model for the tropical Pacific Ocean. J. Geophys. Res., 97(C7), 11237–11255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Guangqing, and Li Xu, 2000: An oceanic data assimilation system based on a global OGCM, Corpus for Pre-processing System for Data Input of Climate Models. Documents for National Key Project-Studies on Short-Term Climate Prediction System in China (1996–2000), Sub-project 2–6 (96-908-02-06), 1, 34–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu Jiang and Yan Changxiang, 2006: Nonlinear balance constraints in 3DVAR data assimilation. Science in China (D), 49(3), 331–336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu Jiang, Zhou Guangqing, Yan Changxiang, Fu Weiwei, and You Xiaobao, 2006: A three-dimensional variational ocean data assimilation system: Scheme and preliminary results. Science in China (D), 49(11), 1212–1222.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Center for Climate and Environment Sciences, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China

    Yan Changxiang  (闫长香) & Zhu Jiang  (朱江)

  2. Information Science Center, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China

    Zhou Guangqing  (周广庆)

Authors
  1. Yan Changxiang  (闫长香)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zhu Jiang  (朱江)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhou Guangqing  (周广庆)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yan, C., Zhu, J. & Zhou, G. Impacts of XBT, TAO, altimetry and ARGO observations on the tropical Pacific Ocean data assimilation. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 24, 383–398 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-007-0383-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-007-0383-4

Key words

Search

Navigation