Eddies and planetary waves in the Central Arabian Sea

Eddies and planetary waves are identified as one of the important factors that control the dynamics of the Arabian Sea. During 10–14 January 1990, Ignat, Paulyuchenkov (USSR ship) conducted an experiment in the central Arabian Sea and of late TOPEX/POSEIDON satellites collected data on sea surface height (SSH) anomalies of the Arabian Sea. These data sets give an opportunity to understand the characteristic of eddies and planetary waves in this region during winter. The geostrophic flow revealed three anticyclonic and two cyclonic eddies of diameters ranging from 75 to more than 150 km from surface to subsurface levels. Current speeds around different eddies were maximum at surface and varied from 9 cm/s to 25 cm/s (at the middle point between the center and periphery). The occurrence of eddies were further investigated with the TOPEX/POSEIDON altimetry for the years 1993–97. The analysis revealed multiple eddies of diameter 100 to 550 km occur every year with maximum number of eddies during 1997 and minimum during 1995. The calculated speed varied between 8–30 cm/s around various eddies. Longitude-Time plots showed annual Rossby waves generating at the eastern Arabian Sea and propagating westwards with a phase speed of ~ 10 cm/s along 16° N. Further, it was observed that these waves arrived in the study area by January. In addition, another positive anomaly of SSH was found generating at the western Arabian Sea simultaneously and extended up to the study region by April–June. Time series of SSH at selected locations along 16°N revealed many small-scale oscillations and their spatial variability. These oscillations were delineated using the FFT analysis. Other than the Rossby wave, the major components at the study region were 40–60 and 26–32 day oscillations. The implications of these long period waves associated with eddies are discussed.     

Investigating Effects of Seafloor Topography on Sea Surface Currents in the Caspian Sea and Northern Indian Ocean

Seafloor topography certainly has an impact on ocean circulation in different ways. Due to this assumption, the sea surface currents calculated by optical flow (Horn–Schunck) and geostrophic currents methods are analyzed to observe this impact. Pair of sea surface temperature imageries, calculated sea surface height and sea level anomaly are showed beside depth map in areas with meaningful bathymetric features such as underwater mountains and pools. The reason for the formation of some eddies in the Caspian Sea and Indian Ocean is concluded from the location of pools and knolls. In this study, in addition to introducing new time span for calculating geostrophic currents, Ocean Surface Current Analyses Real-Time (OSCAR) currents are applied to validate our estimated currents. Variety of products such as sea surface temperature imageries, OSCAR currents, depth map, calculated results like sea level anomaly and absolute dynamic topography and estimated currents via optical flow and geostrophic currents have been collected in this paper to make very detailed investigation on depth effect on mentioned water parameters. Results show that impacts of knolls and pools are meaningfully clear in optical flow and geostrophic currents in shaping and rationing water motions.     

Thermosteric Effects on Interannual and Long-term Global Mean Sea Level Changes

We investigate global mean sea level (MSL) changes and different geophysical contributions at interannual and long-term (decadal) time-scales. Thermosteric effects of global MSL changes are estimated from ocean temperature anomaly data for the period 1955–2003 from the World Ocean Database 2001 (WOD01), plus additional data processed through June 2004. Estimates based on WOD01 show significant differences to previously published results based on similar temperature anomaly data from the World Ocean Database 1998 (WOD98), especially during the period overlapping with the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite altimeter mission. During this period (1993–2004), the WOD01-estimated thermosteric contribution of global MSL change is less than half of the estimate from WOD98 (1.3 ± 0.1 vs. 3.0 ± 0.6 mm/year), as compared to the rate of 2.6 ± 0.06 mm/year observed by satellite altimeters. The larger uncertainty in ocean temperature profiles and incomplete data collection in WOD98, especially in the later years (1997 and 1998) appear to be the major error sources to the overestimated steric effects by WOD98. During the entire 50-year period, the steric effect on global MSL change amounts to about 0.34–0.39 (±0.05) mm/year. Strong interannual and decadal variability exists in estimated thermosteric contributions to the global MSL change, and (surprisingly) the thermosteric effect does not show any pronounced contribution to the strong interannual variability during the 1997/1998 El Niño/La Niña event. Our analysis based on the National Centers for Environmental Prediction reanalysis atmospheric model and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center global land data assimilation system indicates that atmospheric water vapor and terrestrial water storage changes show strong interannual variability that is well correlated with observed global MSL change, and could have significant effects on interannual global MSL changes.     

Plate Motion of India and Interseismic Strain in the Nepal Himalaya from GPS and DORIS Measurements

We analyse geodetically estimated deformation across the Nepal Himalaya in order to determine the geodetic rate of shortening between Southern Tibet and India, previously proposed to range from 12 to 21 mm yr^?1. The dataset includes spirit-levelling data along a road going from the Indian to the Tibetan border across Central Nepal, data from the DORIS station on Everest, which has been analysed since 1993, GPS campaign measurements from surveys carried on between 1995 and 2001, as well as data from continuous GPS stations along a transect at the logitude of Kathmandu operated continuously since 1997. The GPS data were processed in International Terrestrial Reference Frame 2000 (ITRF2000), together with the data from 20 International GNSS Service (IGS) stations and then combined using quasi- observation combination analysis (QOCA). Finally, spatially complementary velocities at stations in Southern Tibet, initially determined in ITRF97, were expressed in ITRF2000. After analysing previous studies by different authors, we determined the pole of rotation of the Indian tectonic plate to be located in ITRF2000 at 51.409±1.560° N and ?10.915±5.556°E, with an angular velocity of 0.483±0.015°. Myr^?1. Internal deformation of India is found to be small, corresponding to less than about 2 mm yr^?1 of baseline change between Southern India and the Himalayan piedmont. Based on an elastic dislocation model of interseismic strain and taking into account the uncertainty on India plate motion, the mean convergence rate across Central and Eastern Nepal is estimated to 19±2.5 mm yr^?1, (at the 67% confidence level). The main himalayan thrust (MHT) fault was found to be locked from the surface to a depth of about 20 km over a width of about 115 km. In these regions, the model parameters are well constrained, thanks to the long and continuous time-series from the permanent GPS as well as DORIS data. Further west, a convergence rate of 13.4±5 mm yr^?1, as well as a fault zone, locked over 150 km, are proposed. The slight discrepancy between the geologically estimated deformation rate of 21±1.5 mm yr^?1 and the 19±2.5 mm yr^?1 geodetic rate in Central and Eastern Nepal, as well as the lower geodetic rate in Western Nepal compared to Eastern Nepal, places bounds on possible temporal variations of the pattern and rate of strain in the period between large earthquakes in this region.     

利用多元回归分析反演西南印度洋区域海底地形

针对海底地形与重力异常和重力异常垂直梯度在相应频段呈现强线性相关的特点,引入多元回归分析技术,提出并详细推导了联合多元重力数据的海底地形建模方法。然后,在西南印度洋SWIR(Southwest India Ridge)所在部分海域开展了海底地形反演试验及地形地貌分析研究。试验结果表明:6种海深模型中,基于多元回归分析技术构建的海深模型(BDVG模型)检核精度最高,相较于S&S V18.1模型和ETOPO1模型精度分别提高了11.51%和57.81%左右;2000 m以上水深海域,各个海深模型的检核精度较高,相对误差波动较小,反映了深海海域具有良好的反演效果;地形起伏剧烈海域或者浅海海域,BDVG海深模型,相较于以重力异常和重力异常垂直梯度作为单一输入源建立的BDG模型和BVGG模型相对误差及相对误差波动变化较小,反映了BDVG模型拥有更好的稳定性,从而体现了联合反演的必要性和优势。Indomed FZ—Gallieni FZ上唯一轴部缺失裂谷洋脊段(27洋脊段)目前属于岩浆供应充足阶段,构造作用的海底扩张对其影响较小;同时由于对称裂离方式影响,27洋脊段沿轴南北对称分布有地形隆起。     

Assessment of chlorophyll variability along the Louisiana coast using multi-satellite data

Variability in surface chlorophyll (Chl) concentrations derived from the Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS) were examined in conjunction with river discharge, QuikSCAT satellite-derived winds, and sea surface height (SSH) anomaly data along the Louisiana coast, USA. Surface Chl distributions exhibited rapid response to strong northerly winds following a frontal passage. A comparison of time series (1998–2010) river discharge and monthly Chl data indicated Chl variability to be well correlated to seasonal river discharge only for locations near the two river deltas, while offshore, enhancements in Chl during fall–winter was likely due to cross-shelf transport or mixing associated with strong northerly wind stress. Variance in Chl examined using wavelet analysis applied to nearly 10 years (1998–2007) of SeaWiFS data indicated patterns of significant Chl variability due to combined enhanced wind and river discharge, offshore flows associated with Ekman transport and coastal wind convergence, and the effect of Hurricane Rita in 2005. Instances of significant Chl variance were also observed to occur during years of large hypoxic zone size suggesting potential linkages to hypoxia. SSH anomaly imagery indicated the presence of warm-core eddies that were responsible for the offshore dispersal of elevated Chl observed in the monthly SeaWiFS imagery. Overall, the use of multi-satellite data better described the forcing and patterns of Chl distributions along the river-dominated Louisiana coast and shelf.     

Observation of mesoscale ocean currents from GEOSAT altimeter data

This paper discusses an altimeter data processing technique designed to compute time series of the mesoscale dynamic sea surface and to produce mean sea surfaces and surface variability. The technique has been applied to Geosat data collected over the North and South Atlantic and the South Indian Ocean. The computed mean sea surfaces show a high correlation with ocean bottom topography, whereas the variability is found to be associated with mesoscale ocean currents. High variability levels are spotted near the Gulfstream Extension and the Agulhas Return Current.Detailed examination of the sea surface and related flow field time series made it possible to identify a large number of eddies and to keep track of them in both the nort-west and south-east Atlantic. Additionally, some of the eddy characteristics have been resolved such as translation and swirl velocity. It is found that the eddy motion is affected by ocean bottom slopes.     

Seasonality and Latitudinal Variation of Water Vapour and Aerosol Optical Thickness and Their relationship Over Tropical Indian Ocean

Aerosol and water vapour are very important element in the Earth’s climate system which has direct role in the Earth’s radiation budget. In this paper the seasonality, latitudinal distribution and the relationship of aerosol optical thickness (AOD) and water vapour (WV) using MODIS Level 3 monthly data from 2001 to 2008 are analysed. The analysis shows that AOD (0.55 μm) values reach maximum during southwest monsoon and remain minimum during northeast monsoon period. The Equatorial Indian Ocean shows minimum AOD (0.115 to 0.153) throughout the year compared to Arabian Sea (0.208 to 0.613) and Bay of Bengal (0.214 to 0.351). Arabian Sea shows high variation and maximum value of AOD compared to Bay of Bengal and Equatorial Indian Ocean. During southwest monsoon WV over Bay of Bengal was found higher in concentration compared to Arabian Sea and Equitorial Indian Ocean throughout the study period. Comparison between Arabian Sea (2.98 cm to 5.07 cm) and Bay of Bengal (3.49 cm to 5.94 cm) shows that WV concentration is less in Arabian Sea throughout the year. The analysis of correlation between WV and AOD was found to be inconsistent. However, AOD and WV shows a strong positive correlation for whole year (Mean R² =0.90) in the Equitorial Indian Ocean region except in the months of January, February and March. In general, the correlation between WV and AOD is found to be strongly positive for oceanic aerosol (sea salt) in low water vapour condition.     

卫星测高推求的中国近海与全球海平面变化的趋势及小波相关分析

基于多种卫星测高资料融合海面高数据对黄海、东海、南海和全球海平面异常在1993年至2005年期间的变化趋势进行分析,结果表明:黄海、东海、南海线性趋势分别为5.05mm/a,4.8mm/a,4.27mm/a,均大于全球平均趋势项2.66mm/a,各海域的周期振幅和相位变化也存在较大差异。近海各海域与全球的海平面异常的小波交叉谱和相关谱分析表明,近海各海域与全球海平面异常变化在年际周期上具有较高的谱能,但相位差异较大,短周期相关性不明显。     

Variability of Altimetric Range Correction Parameters over Indian Tropical Region using JASON-1 & JASON-2 Radar Altimeters

Region-specific atmospheric range correction maps are generated over the Indian tropical region from Jason-1 & Jason-2 radar altimeters data. Seasonal and spatial variability of wet tropospheric correction (WTC), ionospheric correction (IC), dry tropospheric correction (DTC), and sea state bias (SSB) correction are analyzed over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Two year atmospheric range correction data from JASON-1 (2008) & JASON-2 altimeters (2009) has been analyzed where each Jason cycle is exactly 9.9156?days repeat. The monthly and yearly mean variation of the range correction parameters has been studied over the Indian continent. For precise study, four different regions were selected as the Region of Interest in the North & South of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. WTC, Significant Wave Height (SWH), Wind Speed (WS) and SSB show the higher values during monsoon months. The yearly mean WTC over Indian Tropical region was 26.22?cm in 2008 and 26.20?cm in 2009. SSB Correction values mainly depend on the SWH and wind speed. The yearly mean SSB correction over Indian Tropical region was 6.87?cm in 2008 and 7.02?cm in 2009. DTC values are less during monsoon season and it shows a high value in the month of January. The yearly mean DTC over Indian Tropical region was 230.42?cm in 2008 and 230.43?cm in 2009.The IC values mainly depend on frequency and total electron content (TEC) in the ionosphere which further depends on the solar activity. The yearly mean IC over Indian Tropical region was higher in 2008 (2.98?cm) in comparison to mean IC in 2009 (2.29?cm). This study is useful to understand the variability of atmospheric correction parameters especially over Indian continent.     

联合Argo浮标、卫星测高和GRACE数据研究海平面变化

卫星测高、GRACE、Argo等数据为监测海平面变化提供了丰富的观测数据,利用Argo数据计算的比容海平面变化,可以更加深入地理解卫星测高以及卫星重力获得的海平面变化。利用2004年1月至2010年12月间Argo浮标采集的温度和盐度数据,通过数值积分方法计算了65°S~65°N间的比容海平面异常,并通过最小二乘拟合得到比容海平面变化的长期趋势为0.63±0.45 mm/a,与Llovel得到的结果吻合较好。利用卫星测高数据得到该时间段内海平面变化趋势为2.52±0.71 mm/a,GRACE反演得到的海水质量变化引起的海平面趋势为1.84±0.13mm/a,结果表明海水质量变化成为引起海平面变化的主要因素。最后对联合卫星测高、GRACE得到比容海平面变化与相应Argo浮标数据计算结果的空间分布特征进行了比较。     

Local crossover analysis of exactly repeating satellite altimeter data

The crossover adjustment plays a central role in the processing of satellite altimeter measurements. The usual procedure is to form sea surface height differences at crossover points, solve for the radial orbit error (with due attention to the singular nature of the estimation problem) and then to construct altimetric sea-level maps using the mean sea surface heights at the crossover points. Our approach is very different, to make direct use of measurements at crossover points without differencing and to estimate simultaneously orbit parameters, mean sea surface height and sea surface height variability in a single, unified adjustment. The technique is suited for repeat data over an area small enough that adjoining passes may be considered to be parallel and to permit the solution of a set of linear equations of dimension equal to the number of crossover points. The size of the numerical problem is almost independent of the number of repeat cycles of the altimeter mission. Explicit recognition is given to the rank defect of the least-squares estimation problem; we show that, for an orbit model with r parameters, the rank defect of the local crossover problem is exactly r ². The defect may be overcome by choosing an appropriate set of constraints – either giving a best fit of mean sea surface heights to a reference surface, or minimising orbit parameters, or a minimum norm solution in which both mean sea surface heights and orbit parameters are minimised. There is no need to choose a reference pass, all passes are treated equally and data gaps are easily accommodated. Numerical results are presented for the south-western Indian Ocean, based on the first 2 years of altimeter data from the Geosat Exact Repeat Mission. Received: 31 May 1996 / Accepted: 19 April 1997     

Thermal Conditions in the Aral Sea (1982-2000) from Satellite Data

This paper presents the results of a study of the seasonal and interannual variability of Aral Sea sea surface temperature (SST) during the contemporary period (1982-2000) using sea-surface-temperature data obtained from NOAA satellites. A comparison was made between present-day temperature conditions in the sea and observations for 1950-1980, as well as with known predictions of its change due to a sea level reduction. Special aspects of temperature conditions in three Aral Sea (northern, western, and central) regions are examined separately.     

Monitoring of ground deformation in Liulin district,China using InSAR approaches

Coalbed methane (CBM) exploration generally refers to a technique that extracts natural gas from coal beds. The development of CBM in Liulin, China, has experienced a significantly growth period during the past two decades. Previous research mainly focused on the coal geological background or CBM technique itself, while time series InSAR (TS-InSAR) technique was conducted in this work to study the potential land deformation induced by CBM extraction from 2003 to 2011. In total, 21 ALOS-1 PALSAR images (acquired from 22 December 2006 to 2 January 2011) and 14 ENVISAT ASAR scenes (captured between 29 October 2003 and 7 November 2007) were used. The TS-InSAR outcome revealed that the annual deformation rates were ranging from 15 to ?40?mm?yr^?1 over the study region. Then the time series deformation evolutions were analysed over 8 CBM sites (No. 4 coal seam) out of 20, and the subsidence rates between 1.9 and ?6.5?mm?yr^?1 were derived. In addition, the average subsidence rate and standard deviation among these eight measurements were ?3.0 and 2.6?mm?yr^?1 respectively, suggesting that these CBM extraction sites were quite stable and no obvious subsidence had been observed during this eight-year period.     

Applications of generalized additive model (GAM) to satellite-derived variables and fishery data for prediction of fishery resources distributions in the Arabian Sea

This study aims to illustrate how remotely sensed oceanic variables and fishing operations data can be used to predict suitable habitat of fishery resources in Geographic Information System. We used sea surface height anomaly (SSHa), sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll concentration (CC), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and fishing depth as predictor variables. Fishery data of Indian squid (Loligo spp.) and catfish (Tachysurus spp.) for study period (1998–2004) were segregated randomly to create training and validation. Catch was normalized into Catch per unit Effort (kg h^?1). Generalized additive modelling was performed on training data and then tested on validation data. Suitable ranges of SST, CC, SSHa and PAR for different species distributions were derived and integrated to predict their spatial distributions. Results indicated good match between predicted and actual catch. Monthly probability maps of predicted habitat areas coincide with high catch of the particular month for the study period.     

Locating oceanic Tuna resources in the Eastern Arabian sea using remote sensing

Tuna fishery resources are currently under exploited. The resource potential of tunas in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) beyond 50 m depths is around 2.09 lakh tonnes as estimated by Fishery Survey of India. The distribution and availability of the tuna are governed by environmental factors like temperature, thermocline depth, availability of prey, visibility etc. Remote sensing provides synoptic information on productivity in terms of chlorophyll and Sea Surface Temperature (SST). In the present paper, satellite remote sensing data from Indian Remote Sensing Satellite IRS- P4 Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) sensor for chlorophyll-a and diffuse attenuation coefficient (K) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensor data for sea surface temperature were analysed and correlated within situ catch data of oceanic tunas, Skipjack(Katsuwonus pelamis) and Yellowfin tuna(Thunnus albacares), off Maharashtra coast. Higher catches were found to be associated with moderate to good primary productivity and in the vicinity of thermal fronts. Relationship between Hooking rate and SST has shown that SST of 28–30°C range is optimum for skipjack and 28–31°C for yellowfin tuna. Besides satellite derived chlorophyll and SST for identification of potential tuna fishing zones, role of diffuse attenuation coefficient (K) for visibility factor is also discussed.     

联合卫星重力、卫星测高和海洋资料研究全球海平面变化

利用GRACE、卫星测高和海洋实测温盐数据,探讨了2003~2012年间全球海平面、比容海平面和海水质量等的变化特征,并讨论了南极冰盖和格陵兰冰盖消融对全球海平面变化的影响。全球海平面整体呈上升趋势,上升速度为2.72±0.07 mm/a,且存在显著的空间分布特征。全球海平面、比容海平面和海水质量等的变化还具有显著的季节性特征,其中全球海平面变化的年周期振幅为4.6±0.3 mm。使用经验正交函数分析(EOF)得到全球海平面和比容海平面的季节性变化在南北半球存在显著的差异,但海水质量季节性变化不存在这种差异。南极冰盖和格陵兰冰盖的消融速率分别为-75.7±12.3 Gt/a和-124.1±2.9 Gt/a,对海平面的长期趋势项贡献分别为0.21±0.03 mm/a和0.34±0.01 mm/a,仅占全球海水质量增加速度1.80±0.10 mm/a的12%和19%,总计占31%,因此,两极冰盖质量消融并不是2003-2012年间海水质量增加的最主要因素。     

On the benefits of using a high-resolution mesoscale model to improve wind field for the study of upwelling off the Indian coasts

Abstract

Upwelling favourable winds along the Indian coasts were studied using a high-resolution (9 km grid) atmospheric mesoscale model (MM5) reanalysis from 1 to 5 June 2006, off the west coast of India and from 5 to 10 December 2005, off the east coast of India. Model winds are verified with satellite winds at two areas. Model wind hind-casts from the above periods reveal narrow bands (about 10×50 km) of strong winds to the coast and adjacent to the major coastal promontories. These bands, which are sub-grid scale in operational models, were capable of generating local upwelling greater than 10 m/s. Both the mean and spatial components of the model alongshore wind increase by a factor of 3 to 4 from the south to the north along the west coast, and by a factor of 2 to 3 from the north to the south along the east coast of India. Wind field increases will drive enhanced ocean upwelling along the west coast of India, and the new hypothesis suggests that the variations in local wind may contribute to the coastal upwelling in this region.     

Mass evolution of Mediterranean,Black, Red,and Caspian Seas from GRACE and altimetry: accuracy assessment and solution calibration

We present new measurements of mass evolution for the Mediterranean, Black, Red, and Caspian Seas as determined by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) GRACE time-variable global gravity mascon solutions. These new solutions are compared to sea surface altimetry measurements of sea level anomalies with steric corrections applied. To assess their accuracy, the GRACE- and altimetry-derived solutions are applied to the set of forward models used by GSFC for processing the GRACE Level-1B datasets, with the resulting inter-satellite range-acceleration residuals providing a useful metric for analyzing solution quality. We also present a differential correction strategy to calibrate the time series of mass change for each of the seas by establishing the strong linear relationship between differences in the forward modeled mass and the corresponding range-acceleration residuals between the two solutions. These calibrated time series of mass change are directly determined from the range-acceleration residuals, effectively providing regionally-tuned GRACE solutions without the need to form and invert normal equations. Finally, the calibrated GRACE time series are discussed and combined with the steric-corrected sea level anomalies to provide new measurements of the unmodeled steric variability for each of the seas over the span of the GRACE observation record. We apply ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) to adaptively sort the mass and steric components of sea level anomalies into seasonal, non-seasonal, and long-term temporal scales.     

中国近海TOPEX/Poseidon卫星测高海平面变化的CPCA分析

用复主成分分析方法，对中国近海TOPEX／Poseidon卫星6年的测高的海平面变化资料进行了分析，给出了中国南海，黄海和东海的海平面变化的空间和时间分布特重征，利用小波方法分析了主要主成分时间变化序列的时－频特征，分析结果表明，主要主成分的空间分布特征与海洋环充相对应，南海，黄海和东海的海平面变化存在显著的年际和2个月的非稳态振荡信号，南海具有较明显的半年周期信号，而黄海和东海的半年周期信号不明显。