Absolute Sea Level Surface Modeling for the Mediterranean from Satellite Altimeter and Tide Gauge Measurements

Changes in the height of the ocean can be described through the relative and absolute sea level changes depending on the geodetic reference the sea level records are related to. Satellite altimetry provides absolute sea level (ASL) measurements related to the global geodetic reference, whereas tide gauges provide relative sea level (RSL) measurements related to the adjacent land. This study aims at computing the ASL surfaces for different time epochs from combined satellite altimeter and tide gauge records. A method of sea level data fusion is proposed to enable modeling of the impact of present and future sea level changes on the coast. Sea surface modeling was investigated for ten different gridding methods commonly used for the interpolation of altimeter data over the open ocean and extrapolation over the coastal zones. The performance of gridding methods was assessed based on the comparison of the gridded altimeter data and corrected tide gauge measurements. Finally, the sea level surfaces related to the GRS80 global reference ellipsoid were computed for the Mediterranean Sea over the altimeter period. In addition, the current sea level trends were estimated from both sea level measurements.     

Sea level variations in the regional seas around Taiwan

The patterns and trends of sea level rise in the regional seas around Taiwan have been investigated through the analyses of long-term tide-gauge and satellite altimetry data. Series of tide-gauge data extending over 50 years reveal decadal and interannual variations and spatially-inhomogeneous patterns of generally rising sea level. The East Asia tide-gauge stations around Taiwan show an average trend of +2.4 mm/yr from 1961–2003, which is larger than the reported global rate of +1.8 mm/yr for the same period. These stations also show significantly larger sea level rise rates (+5.7 mm/yr) than global values (+3.1 mm/yr) during the period from 1993–2003. Consistent with the coastal tide-gauge records, satellite altimetry data show similar increasing rates (+5.3 mm/yr) around Taiwan during the same period. Comparisons with temperature anomalies in the upper ocean suggest that thermal expansion and heat advection in the upper layer contribute significantly to the long-term sea level variations in this area with correlations >0.9 for observations after 1992. Thermosteric sea level variations may also explain the interannual and decadal variations of the observed sea level rises around Taiwan. Our analysis also indicates that the altimetry data are only part of a long-term, larger-scale signal. Finally, we have found that a non-linear smoother, LOESS, is more suitable for extracting long-term trends in sea level than the traditional linear regression approach.     

Human impacts overwhelm the effects of sea-level rise on Basque coastal habitats (N Spain) between 1954 and 2004

According to coastal measurements, global mean sea-level has risen at a rate of 1.8 mm yr⁻¹ between 1950 and 2000, with large spatial variability at regional scales. Within the Bay of Biscay, trends computed from coastal tide gauges records have revealed that sea-level rise is accelerating over this period of time; this is in agreement with rates obtained from satellite imagery in the open ocean since 1993. The objectives of the present study are: (1) to assess the evidence of the relative sea-level rise on coastal morphology and habitats in the Gipuzkoan littoral zone (Basque coast, northern Spain) for the period 1954–2004, and (2) to evaluate the relative contribution of local anthropogenic versus sea-level rise impacts for explaining inter-supratidal habitat changes. A high-resolution airborne laser altimetry data (LIDAR) has been used to derive a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of 15-cm vertical resolution. Coastal habitats were mapped for two periods, using historic airborne photography (1954) and high-resolution imagery (2004). Analysis of tide gauge records from Santander (northern Spain) has revealed that relative mean sea-level has been rising at a rate of 2.08 ± 0.33 mm yr⁻¹ from 1943 to 2004; this is consistent with sea-level trends from other measurements within the area (St. Jean de Luz and Bilbao), obtained over shorter periods of time, and with previous results obtained in the Bay of Biscay. Based upon this sea-level trend and by means of a LIDAR-based DTM, the results have indicated that the predicted change along the Gipuzkoan coast due to sea-level rise was of 11.1 ha within the 50-yr period. In contrast, comparison of historical and recent orthophotography has detected only 2.95 ha of change, originated possibly from sea-level rise, and 98 ha transformed by anthropogenic impacts. Hence, coastal changes due to sea-level rise might be overwhelmed by excessive human impacts, at the spatial and temporal scales of the analysis. This work highlights that local anthropogenic impact is the major threat to Basque coastal and estuarine habitats, compared with natural erosive processes and global climate change driving forces over recent times.     

Development of a foraminifera-based transfer function in the Basque marshes, N. Spain: Implications for sea-level studies in the Bay of Biscay

In order to reconstruct former sea level we have developed a foraminifera-based transfer function using three models based on a modern dataset of 59 samples and 23 species obtained from four Basque marshes in Northern Spain. The relationship between observed and foraminifera-predicted elevation illustrated the strong performance of the transfer function (r²_jack ranges from 0.74 to 0.81). These results indicated that precise reconstructions of former sea levels are possible (error ranges from 0.11 to 0.19 m). The transfer function was used to calibrate the foraminiferal assemblages collected from a 50 cm salt marsh core. We placed the foraminifera-based reconstructions into a temporal framework using ¹³⁷Cs, Pb concentrations, and ²¹⁰Pb-derived sediment accumulation rates. The resulting relative sea-level curve is in good agreement with regional tide-gauge data. Both instrumental data and microfossil records suggest a rate of relative sea-level rise of approximately 2 mm yr^− 1 for the 20th century.     

Reduction of geoid gradient error in ocean variability from satellite altimetry

Altimeter measurements of sea‐level variability have errors due to the altimeter not repeatedly sampling the same point on the ocean surface. The errors are proportional to the local slope of the mean sea surface. Accurate removal of geoid error is essential if altimeter data are to be used to study the relationship between geostrophic turbulence and bathymetry. The error can be reduced by using an accurate model of the mean surface. We use the multiyear TOPEX altimeter data set to develop a model for the mean sea surface along the TOPEX/POSEIDON ground track by estimating the coefficients of a local plane centered on every 2 km x 7 km bin sampled by the altimeter. We have evaluated the ability of this model. compared against two global mean sea‐surface models, to reduce the error associated with steep gradients. The two global models are the Center for Space Research 1995 model and the Ohio State University 1995 model. The three models show similar variability over the oceans, and none shows the large residual errors that can be seen in collinear analysis near some seamounts and trenches. The standard deviation of the variability using the plane model, however, is consistently smaller in low‐variability, high‐geoid‐gradient areas, indicating a slightly better performance than the two global models.     

末次盛冰期以来巴伦支海-喀拉海古海洋环境及海冰研究进展

巴伦支海-喀拉海是北冰洋最大的边缘海,能够对环境变化做出快速的响应和反馈,是全球气候变化最为敏感的区域之一,其古海洋环境演变及海冰变化研究是全球气候变化研究的重要组成部分。末次盛冰期以来,该区域的古海洋环境受到太阳辐射、海流强度、海平面变化、温盐环流和河流输入等因素影响发生了一系列不同尺度的波动。巴伦支海受到北大西洋暖水和极地冷水两大水团相互作用的影响,在水团交界处 （极锋) 由于不同水团性质的差异,导致其海水温度、盐度及海冰发生剧烈变化。而喀拉海则受到叶尼塞河和鄂毕河大量淡水输入影响,海流系统较巴伦支海相对复杂,沉积物主要来源于河流输入的陆源物质,并可以通过磁化率的分析明确区分两条河流的陆源物质。由于受到冷水和暖水的相互作用,巴伦支海-喀拉海海冰变化迅速,并且在全新世中晚期存在 0.4 ka 和 0.95 ka 的变化周期,但海冰变化的影响因素并不是单一的,而是气候系统内部各因子相互作用的结果。目前古海冰重建研究工作主要为定性研究,定量研究相对较少,所选用的重建指标也相对单一,另外存在年代框架差、分辨率低等不足。本文以巴伦支海和喀拉海为中心,总结了其快速气候突变事件、古温度盐度、海平面及海冰的变化,对影响因素进行了探讨,并通过分析末次盛冰期以来古海洋环境研究的不足,提出了相应的展望。     

HY-2A卫星雷达高度计海面高度测量分析与评估

HY-2A卫星是我国首颗自主海洋动力环境卫星,已连续运行6年多。卫星上搭载的主载荷雷达高度计能够实现全天候、全天时全球海面高度、有效波高和海面风速的观测,这些观测数据已经广泛用于海洋防灾减灾、资源开发和海上安全等领域。为了全面了解HY-2A卫星雷达高度计多年来的整体观测性能,本文选取了2012年10月26日至2017年8月27日间的全部观测数据IGDR产品进行综合评价。通过自交叉和与Jason-2互交叉两种手段对HY-2A卫星雷达高度计测高能力进行评估。计算HY-2A升降轨自交叉点的测高不符值,发现HY-2A卫星雷达高度计在近全球海域内、升降轨高度异常差小于30cm的限制条件下,平均绝对高度误差为5.81cm,高度异常标准差为7.76cm;限制观测区域为南北纬60°范围内、海面高度异常升降轨交叉点处的差小于10cm的情况下,平均绝对误差可达3.95cm,海面高度异常标准差达4.76cm。通过和Jason-2卫星的互交叉,发现在南北纬66°范围内,交叉点高度异常差小于30cm的情况下,HY-2A和Jason-2的海面高度异常平均绝对误差为5.86cm,标准差为7.52cm,如果在该海域内将海面高度异常差限制在10cm内,平均绝对误差和标准差分别达到4.19cm和4.98cm。HY-2A卫星雷达高度计已经达到国际同类卫星雷达高度计测高水平,可以满足海洋科学研究、海洋环流反演等的需求。     

IPCC气候情景下全球海平面长期趋势变化

利用CCSM3 (Community Climate System Model version 3)气候系统模式模拟20世纪海平面变化,在IPCC SRES A2 (IPCC,2001)情景假设下预测21世纪全球海平面长期趋势变化。模拟显示20世纪海平面上升约4.0 cm,且存在0.004 8 mm/a2的加速度,这个结果仅为热盐比容的贡献。在A2情景假设下,21世纪海平面上升存在很大的区域特征,呈纬向带状分布;总体上北冰洋上升大,南大洋高纬度海区上升小,大西洋上升值比太平洋的大;整个21世纪全球平均比容海平面上升了约30 cm,且呈加速上升的趋势。同时发现,中深层水温度和盐度变化对区域比容海平面变化具有重要贡献。北太平洋增暖主要集中在上层700 m以内,而北大西洋的增暖可达2 500 m的深度,南大洋南极绕极流海区热盐变化则是发生在整个深度。     

Morphodynamics of a high discharge tropical delta, San Juan River, Pacific coast of Colombia

The San Juan River has one of the most extensive and best developed deltas on the Pacific coast of South America, measuring 800 km². The river drainage basin measures 16?465 km² and is located in one of the areas with the highest precipitation in the western hemisphere. The annual rainfall varies from 7000 to 11?000 mm, and as a result the San Juan River has the highest water discharge (2550 m³ s⁻¹), sediment load (16×10⁶ t yr⁻¹), and basin-wide sediment yield (1150 t km⁻² yr⁻¹) on the west coast of South America. The San Juan delta growth began approximately 5000 years BP. The structure of the delta is determined by the interactions between fluvial deposition and the effect of 1.7-m significant swells, mostly from the SW, and strong tidal currents. Analysis of delta progradation indicates that during 1848-1992 the morphology of the delta was characterized by beach ridge accretion, spit growth, narrowing of inlets, and a general advance of the delta shoreline. During the past decade processes such as rapid erosion of the delta shore, narrowing of barrier islands, and breaching of a new inlet, are the result of a long-term relative sea-level rise of 2.6 mm yr⁻¹ due to tectonically induced subsidence coupled with a eustatic rise of sea-level. The delta also experiences strong oceanographic manifestations associated with the El Niño-La Niña cycle, causing regional sea-level elevation of 20-30 cm during El Niño years. Recent coastal subsidence in the delta is evidenced by: (1) increased occurrence of non-storm washover events; (2) increased erosion of barrier islands with average loss of 11 m yr⁻¹ during 1993-1997; and (3) a relative sea-level rise of 3.4 mm yr⁻¹ during 1991-1999. The morphology and recent evolution of the San Juan delta are unique when compared to other deltas of South America because of the singular combination of extreme climatic, geologic, and oceanographic conditions under which the delta has formed and the absence of human-induced impact in the drainage basin.     

Particulate organic carbon fluxes to the ocean interior and factors controlling the biological pump: A synthesis of global sediment trap programs since 1983

Particulate organic carbon (POC) is vertically transported to the oceanic interior by aggregates and their ballasts, mainly CaCO₃ and biogenic opal, with a smaller role for lithogenic aerosols through the mesopelagic zone. Diel migrating zooplankton communities effect vertical transport and remineralization of POC in the upper layers of the ocean. Below 1.5 km, the presence of zooplankton is reduced and thus the aggregates travel mainly by gravitational transport. We normalized the fluxes of POC, CaCO₃, and biogenic opal from data published on samples collected at 134 globally distributed, bottom-tethered, time-series sediment trap (TS-trap) stations to annual mole fluxes at the mesopelagic/bathypelagic boundary (m/b) at 2 km and defined them as F_m/bC_org, F_m/bC_inorg, and F_m/bSi_bio. Using this global data set, we investigated (1) the geographic contrasts of POC export at m/b and (2) the supply rate of ∑CO₂ to the world mesopelagic water column. F_m/bC_org varies from 25 (Pacific Warm Pool) to 605 (divergent Arabian Sea) mmolC m⁻² yr⁻¹; F_m/bC_inorg varies from >8 (high latitude Polar Oceans) or 15 (Pacific Warm Pool) to 459 (divergent Arabian Sea) mmolC m⁻² yr⁻¹; and F_m/bSi_bio, the most spatially/temporally variable flux, ranges from 6 (North Atlantic Drift) to 1118 (Pacific Subarctic Gyre) mmolSi m⁻² yr⁻¹. The oceanic region exhibiting the highest POC flux over a significantly large region is the area of the North Pacific Boreal Gyres where the average F_m/bC_org = 213, F_m/bC_inorg = 126, and F_m/bSi_bio = 578 mmol m⁻² yr⁻¹. F_m/bC_org and F_m/bC_inorg are particularly high in large upwelling margins, including the divergent Arabian Sea and off Cape Verde. One of the data sets showing the lowest flux over a significant region/basin is F_m/bC_org = 39, F_m/bC_inorg = 69, and F_m/bSi_bio = 22 mmol m⁻² yr⁻¹ in the North Pacific subtropical/tropical gyres; Pan-Atlantic average fluxes are similar except F_m/bSi_bio fluxes are even lower. Where C_org/C_inorg and Si_bio/C_inorg are <1 defines the “Carbonate Ocean”, and where these ratios are ?1 defines the “Silica Ocean”. The Carbonate Ocean occupies about 80% of the present world pelagic ocean between the two major oceanographic fronts, the North Pacific Polar Front and the Antarctic Polar Front, and the Silica Ocean is found on the polar sides of these fronts. The total global annual fluxes of F_m/bC_org, F_m/bC_inorg, and F_m/bSi_bio at m/b calculated by parameterizations of the export flux data from 134 stations are surprisingly similar; 36.2, 33.8, and 34.6 teramol yr⁻¹ (120, 112, and 114 mmol m⁻² yr⁻¹), respectively, resulting in a near uniform binary ratio between the above three elements of about one. The global ternary % ratios estimated from 152 TS-trap samples of the three elements are 35:32:33. From our global F_m/bC_org and a published model estimate of the global export production, we estimate the regeneration rate of CO₂ through the mesopelagic zone by the biological pump is 441 teramolC yr⁻¹. Based on our global F_m/bC_inorg and recently estimated global primary production of PIC, 36-86 teramolC yr⁻¹ of PIC is assumed to be dissolved within the upper 2 km of the water column.     

Mean sea level determination from satellite altimetry

The primary experiment on the Geodynamics Experimental Ocean Satellite‐3 (GEOS‐3) is the radar altimeter. This experiment's major objective is to demonstrate the utility of measuring the geometry of the ocean surface, i.e., the geoid. Results obtained from this experiment so far indicate that the planned objectives of measuring the topography of the ocean surface with an absolute accuracy of ±5 m can be met and perhaps exceeded. The GEOS‐3 satellite altimeter measurements have an instrument precision in the range of ±25 cm to ±50 cm when the altimeter is operating in the “short pulse”; mode. After one year's operations of the altimeter, data from over 5,000 altimeter passes have been collected. With the mathematical models developed and the altimeter data presently available, mapping of local areas of ocean topography has been realized to the planned accuracy levels and better. This paper presents the basic data processing methods employed and some interesting results achieved with the early data. Plots of mean sea surface heights as inferred by the altimeter measurements are compared with a detailed 1^o × 1° gravimetric geoid.     

Monthly mean sea level variability along the west coast of southern Africa

Principal components analysis was used to examine monthly data on sea level obtained from tide-gauge records from the west coast of southern Africa over the period 1957—1975. After a simple correction had removed the effect of local atmospheric pressure, this statistical analysis revealed the structure of nearshore ocean variability over time periods of months to years. The first principal component, accounting for over 55 per cent of the variability in monthly mean sea level, was a near uniform rise and fall everywhere along the west coast of southern Africa. The spectrum of this large-scale structure showed a strong interannual trend, which correlated well with long-term trends of temperature anomaly over the entire South-East Atlantic, and a high-frequency term, which could not be resolved at a time period of one month. The second principal component showed the contrasting response of the northern and southern sites on a seasonal scale, and it could be correlated with seasonal wind data. These results compared well with similar analysis carried out in the North Pacific Ocean.     

Sea-Level Variations Measured by the New Altimetry Mission SARAL/AltiKa and its Validation Based on Spatial Patterns and Temporal Curves Using Jason-2, Tide Gauge Data and an Overview of the Annual Sea Level Budget

High-precision satellite altimeters help in measuring the variations in sea level since the early 1990s. After a number of such successful altimetry missions such as Topex/Poseidon, Jason-1, Jason-2, and Envisat, SARAL/AltiKa, a high resolution altimetry mission based on the Ka frequency band that can also cover high latitudinal zones, was launched in February 2013. Even though the data set available from this recent mission is not yet suitable for climate research owing to its short duration, in this study we perform a preliminary validation of SARAL/AltiKa sea-level data. The first part of the validation is the comparison of SARAL/AltiKa and Jason-2 sea-level data between March 2013 and August 2014 in terms of temporal mean spatial pattern. Comparisons in terms of global mean sea-level time series and latitudinal band-based mean time series are also performed. The second part of the validation is the comparison of the SARAL/AltiKa sea-level based time series with several tide gauge records covering the period of our study. Finally, an analysis of the annual sea-level budget with SARAL/AltiKa data, steric sea level, and ocean mass is performed. Results of these preliminary comparisons show good agreement with other sea-level data.     

1993—2001年全球海面高度变化特征

应用TOPEX／POSEIDON（T／P）卫星高度计测高资料，对全球海洋的海面变化特征进行了分析，结果表明，1993年1月－2001年6月期间，全球海平面呈现上升的态势；全球平均海平面高度的平均上升速率约为1．2mm/a；海温的变化是引起海平面变化的重要原因，便其对海平面抬升的贡献不到50％。海平面的变化具有很强的地域特征。海平面变化的空间分布特征受风应力异常特别是纬向风应力异常的空间分布影响较大。     

Sedimentation rates and heavy metal pollution of sediments in the Seto Inland Sea

In the Suo-Nada area of the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, sedimentation rates and the sedimentary record of anthropogenic metal loads were determined by combining the Pb-210 dating technique with heavy metal analysis of the sediments. The sedimentation rates vary from 0.11 to 0.27 g cm^–2 yr^–1. Lower sedimentation rates were observed in the eastern part of the basin which is characterized by a bottom with sand and gravel, and fast tidal currents.Anthropogenic and natural loads of copper and zinc into the sediments are 34 and 326, and 65 and 375 ton yr^–1, respectively. The anthropogenic loads are fairly low compared with those of the other main areas of sediment accumulation in the Seto Inland Sea. The highest level of zinc and copper pollution was observed in the western part of the basin because of waste discharge from an old and big ironworks outside basin since the early 1900's.     

State‐of‐the‐art sea level and meteorological monitoring systems in the intra‐Americas sea

State‐of‐the‐art technology is presently being used for the acquisition of water level and meteorological data in the Intra‐Americas Sea to support the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) network of sea‐level monitoring stations. GLOSS stations provide data for the investigation of regional relative sea level change in areas of complex tectonic motion, national geodetic vertical datums, near real‐time data for input to climatic diagnostic numerical models, calibration of satellite altimeter and scatterometer data, and the evaluation of the feasibility of producing synoptic mean sea level charts for the prediction of climatic trends, long‐range weather forecasts, and ocean processes.     

格陵兰岛附近海域海平面变化的初步研究

利用17年5个月的卫星高度计资料,探讨格陵兰岛附近海域海平面的季节变化和年际变化特征,结果表明,该区域海平面变化存在显著的季节信号和年际信号。近20a来,格陵兰岛附近海域海平面的平均上升速率为1.7mm/a,小于全球海平面的平均上升速率。该海域的海平面变化存在很强的区域性,通常多年平均海面高度异常(SSHA)大的海区,海平面上升速率也大;多年平均SSHA低的海区,海平面上升速率则较小。EOF分析表明第一模态为季节模态,整个海域第一空间模态的位相相同,说明该海域海平面的季节变化趋势是相同的。该区域的SSHA与海冰面积指数呈负相关,海平面的季节变化受海冰面积大小的影响显著。SSHA与经向风应力距平的低频分量具有很好的正相关性,与纬向风应力距平的低频分量具有不显著的负相关,说明该海域海平面的年际变化受风应力的影响显著。     

气候变化中海洋和冰冻圈的变化、影响及风险

本文系统梳理了IPCC 《气候变化中的海洋和冰冻圈特别报告》(SROCC)的主要结论,并对主要观点进行了解读。报告主要关注全球变暖背景下高山、极地、海洋和沿海地区现在和未来的变化及其对人类和生态系统的影响,以及实现气候适应发展路径的方案。在全球变暖背景下,冰冻圈大面积萎缩,冰川冰盖质量损失,积雪减少,北极海冰范围和厚度减小,多年冻土升温,全球海洋持续增温,1993年以来,海洋变暖和吸热速度增加了一倍以上。同时,海洋表面酸化加剧,海洋含氧量减少。全球平均海平面呈加速上升趋势,2006—2015年全球海平面上升速率为3.6 mm/yr,是1901—1990年的2.5倍,但存在区域差异。高山、极地和海洋的生态系统的物种组成、分布和服务功能均发生变化,并对人类社会产生了显著负面影响。极端海洋气候事件发生频率增多,强度加大。1982年以来,全球范围内海洋热浪的发生频率增加了一倍,且范围更广,持续时间更长。海平面持续上升加剧了洪涝、海水入侵、海岸侵蚀等海岸带灾害,并影响沿海生态系统。海洋及冰冻圈的变化及其影响在未来一定时期仍将持续,应对这些影响而面临的挑战,应加强基于生态系统的适应和可再生能源管理,强化海岸带地区的海平面上升综合应对,打造积极有效、可持续和具有韧性的气候变化应对方案。     

Sea-level variation/change and thermal contribution in the Bering Sea

The long-term sea-level trend in the Bering Sea is obtained by the analysis of TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter data, including the data of two tide gauges. The averaged sea-level in the Bering Sea rises at a rate of 2.47 mm/a from 1992 to 2002. The mean sea-level is falling in the most part of the Bering Sea, especially in its central basin, and it is rising in the northeastern part of the Bering Sea. During the 1998/99 change, the sea-level anomaly differences exhibit a significant sea-level anomaly fall in the deep basin of the Bering Sea,which is roughly in the same position where a prominent SST fall exists. The maximal fall of sea-level is about 10 cm in the southwestern part of the Bering Sea, and the maximal fall of about 2℃ in the SST also appeared in the same region as the sea level did.The steric sea-level change due to temperature variations is discussed. The results are compared with the TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter data at the different spatial scales. It is indicated that the seasonal amplitude of the steric height is about 35% of the observed TOPEX/Poseidon amplitude, which is much smaller than the 83% in the mid-latitudes area. The systematic difference between the TOPEX/Poseidon data with the range of about 7.5 cm and the thermal contribution with the range of about 2.5 cm is about 5 cm. This indicates that the thermal effect on the sea level is not as important as the case in the mid-latitudes area. In the Bering Sea, the phase of the steric height leads the observed sea level by about three months.     

ENSO to multi-decadal time scale changes in East Australian Current transports and Fort Denison sea level: Oceanic Rossby waves as the connecting mechanism

The connection between East Australian Current (EAC) transport variability and Australia’s east coast sea level has received little treatment in the literature. This is due in part to the complex interacting physical processes operating in the coastal zone combined with the sparsity of observations available to improve our understanding of these possible connections. This study demonstrates a statistically significant (at the >90% level) relationship between interannual to decadal time scale variations in observed estimates of the EAC transport changes and east coast sea level measured at the high-quality, long record Fort Denison tide-gauge in Sydney Harbour, Australia (33°51′18″S, 151°13′32″E). We further demonstrate, using a linear reduced-gravity ocean model, that ENSO to decadal time-scale variations and the ocean-adjusted multi-decadal trend (approx. 1 cm/decade) in observed sea level at Fort Denison are strongly connected to modulations of EAC transports by incoming westward propagating oceanic Rossby waves. We show that EAC transport and Fort Denison sea level vary in a manner expected from both Tasman Sea generated Rossby waves, which account for the interannual and multi-annual variability, and remotely forced (from east of New Zealand) Rossby wave connections through the mid-latitudes, accounting for the ocean-adjusted multi-decadal trend observed at the New South Wales coast - with the regional-Tasman Sea forcing explaining the greatest overall proportion of EAC transport and sea-level variances.