Distinctive features of data processing for the side-looking radar of theSich-1 satellite

We show that the parameters of primary radar images obtained from theSich-1 satellite depend on the mode of survey and that the time dependence of the coefficient of correction of amplification in the channel of formation of radar signals is nonlinear. We propose to process radar images of the sea surface by using the so-called Bragg normalization of signals, which enables one to get a physically correct dependence of specific effective scattering surface on the elevation angle. We also consider a procedure of determination of the dependence of specific effective scattering surface of the sea on the wind velocity on the basis of the data accumulated by the side-looking radar of theSich-1 satellite. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Preliminary results of measurements of atmospheric turbulence over the sea

We perform the experimental verification of the applicability of the theory of similarity to the wave boundary layer and the assessment of wave-induced perturbations of the air flow depending on various conditions of stratification of the atmosphere and the state of the sea. The measurements were carried out from a stationary platform located in the coastal part of the Black Sea. The experimental procedure is based on the simultaneous measurements of the profile and fluctuations of the wind speed at 5–6 levels in the 1.3–21-m layer, the elevations of the sea surface, the directions of waves and winds, and the mean gradients of temperature and humidity of air. The structure of the boundary layer in the region of measurements depends on the direction of the wind. For weak and moderate onshore winds (< 9 m/sec), the approximate balance is preserved between the production and dissipation of turbulent energy in the cases of unstable and neutral stratification. On the average, the estimates of friction velocity according to the profiles are higher than the dissipative estimates by 10% mainly due to the deficiency of dissipation near the surface. For the offshore wind, the structure of the boundary layer abruptly changes and is determined not by the local parameters but by strong turbulent eddies formed over the dry land. The intensity of low-frequency turbulent fluctuations and the gradient of wind velocity near the surface in the coastal zone are 1.5–2 times higher than for the open sea. __________ Translated from Morskoi Gidrofizicheskii Zhurnal, No. 3, pp. 42–61, May–June, 2007.     

基于浮标实测数据的WindSat海洋反演产品精度分析

To evaluate the ocean surface wind vector and the sea surface temperature obtained from Wind Sat, we compare these quantities over the time period from January 2004 to December 2013 with moored buoy measurements. The mean bias between the Wind Sat wind speed and the buoy wind speed is low for the low frequency wind speed product(WSPD_LF), ranging from –0.07 to 0.08 m/s in different selected areas. The overall RMS error is 0.98 m/s for WSPD_LF, ranging from 0.82 to 1.16 m/s in different selected regions. The wind speed retrieval result in the tropical Ocean is better than that of the coastal and offshore waters of the United States. In addition, the wind speed retrieval accuracy of WSPD_LF is better than that of the medium frequency wind speed product. The crosstalk analysis indicates that the Wind Sat wind speed retrieval contains some cross influences from the other geophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, water vapor and cloud liquid water. The mean bias between the Wind Sat wind direction and the buoy wind direction ranges from –0.46° to 1.19° in different selected regions. The overall RMS error is 19.59° when the wind speed is greater than 6 m/s. Measurements of the tropical ocean region have a better accuracy than those of the US west and east coasts. Very good agreement is obtained between sea surface temperatures of Wind Sat and buoy measurements in the tropical Pacific Ocean; the overall RMS error is only 0.36°C, and the retrieval accuracy of the low latitudes is better than that of the middle and high latitudes.     

Climatic structure of the wind fields in the Black-Sea region

For the Black-Sea region, we perform the dynamic reanalysis of the data on atmospheric circulation for the period 1958–2001 by using the HadRM3P model with a space resolution of 25 km. We estimate the mean climatic atmospheric fields of vorticity and divergence of the wind velocity and study their space structure and seasonal variability. The climatic estimates of the annual course of vorticity of the wind velocity over the sea are presented. The obtained large annual average values of vorticity of the velocity reveal the predominant role played by the wind action in the generation not only of the seasonal variability but also of the mean cyclonic circulation of waters in the Black Sea.     

利用南海石油平台的卫星雷达高度计定标与检验

在对南海石油平台所处的南海北部海域海底地形、平均海平面、风浪时空分布等进行分析基础上,利用南海石油平台水位计对Jason-2卫星高度计进行了测高绝对定标,定标结果为30.9 cm±7.8 cm,分析发现南海北部中尺度涡可能对定标结果产生影响;利用南海石油平台测波雷达对Jason-1高度计有效波高进行了精度检验,Jason-1高度计Ku波段和C波段有效波高测量的均方根误差分别为0.43 m和0.45 m。分析和检验结果表明,南海石油平台所处海洋环境条件、平台上装载的水位计和测波雷达均满足卫星雷达高度计定标与检验要求。南海石油平台定标场预期可用于中国海洋二号卫星和其他卫星高度计的定标与检验。     

Methods for processing the data of wind-profile observations over the ocean

We describe the in-line methods for processing the results of observations of the vertical distribution of wind speed with an aim of evaluation of the parameters characterizing the stable state of the surface layer of the atmosphere and the roughness of the sea surface. It is proposed to use these data for the interpretation of the results of satellite scatterometric measurements of the surface wind speed in order to increase their accuracy.     

Experience of remote monitoring in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea in the optical spectrum band

The methodology of regional remote monitoring of the ocean on the basis of complex largescale studies carried out by the Marine Hydrophysical Institute of the Ukrainian SSR Academy of Sciences in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea in 1987–1988 is considered. The collection of controlled parameters, ground facilities, methods of collecting and processing of satellite and subsatellite data, and features in the compilation of composition maps of the sea surface radiation temperature are discussed.Translated by Mikahil M. Trufanov.     

Assessment of the initial sea surface temperature product of the scanning microwave radiometer aboard on HY-2 satellite

HY-2 satellite is the first satellite for dynamic environmental parameters measurement of China,which was launched on 16th August 2011.A scanning microwave radiometer（RM） is carried for sea surface temperature（SST）,sea surface wind speed,columnar water vapor and columnar cloud liquid water detection.In this paper,the initial SST product of RM was validated with in-situ data of National Data of Buoy Center（NDBC） mooring and Argo buoy.The validation results indicate the accuracy of RM SST is better than 1.7 C.The comparison of RM SST and WindSat SST shows the former is warmer than the latter at high sea surface wind speed and the difference between these SSTs is depend on the sea surface wind speed.Then,the relationship between the errors of RM SST and sea surface wind speed was analyzed using NDBC mooring measurements.Based on the results of assessment and errors analysis,the suggestions of taking account of the affection of sea surface wind speed and using sea surface wind speed and direction derived from the microwave scatteromter aboard on HY-2 for SST product calibration were given for retrieval algorithm improvement.     

Climatic satellite monitoring of the external heat balance of the oceans and Black Sea

The long-wave outgoing radiation, effective cloudiness equal to the product of the total cloud amount by their optical density, and the sea-surface temperature determined from the satellites are used to determine the annual course of the components of external heat balance on the sea surface whose climatic anomalies, parallel with the meridional heat and water transfer in the ocean-atmosphere system, specify the intraannual and interannual large-scale variations of weather in different regions of the Earth. The development of these studies is connected with the progress of satellite hydrophysics because the data obtained from the space become sufficiently exact, regular, and global. The increase in the existing data array on the external heat balance of the oceans from ∼15–20 to 100 yr and more would promote the solution of the problem of oscillations of Earth's climate. We present examples of coordinated numerical analysis of the heat balance of the upper (0–100 m ) layer of the Black Sea performed on the basis of the shipborne and satellite data. __________ Translated from Morskoi Gidrofizicheskii Zhurnal, No. 6, pp. 59–75, November–December, 2007.     

Habitat suitability index of Chub mackerel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber japonicus</Emphasis>) from July to September in the East China Sea

The habitat quality of Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) in the East China Sea has been a subject of concern in the last 10 years due to large fluctuations in annual catches of this stock. For example, the Chinese light-purse seine fishery recorded 84000 tons in 1999 compared to 17000 tons in 2006. The fluctuations have been attributed to variability in habitat quality. The habitat suitability Index (HSI) has been widely used to describe fish habitat quality and in fishing ground forecasting. In this paper we use catch data and satellite derived environmental variables to determine habitat suitability indices for Chub mackerel during July to September in the East China Sea. More than 90% of the total catch was found to come from the areas with sea surface temperature of 28.0°–29.4°C, sea surface salinity of 33.6–34.2 psu, chlorophyll-a concentration of 0.15–0.50 mg/m³ and sea surface height anomaly of −0.1–1.1 m. Of the four conventional models of HSI, the Arithmetic Mean Model (AMM) was found to be most suitable according to Akaike Information Criterion analysis. Based on the estimation of AMM in 2004, the monthly HSIs in the waters of 123°–125°E and 27°30′–28°00′ N were more than 0.6 during July to September, which coincides with the catch distribution in the same time period. This implies that AMM can yield a reliable prediction of the Chub mackerel’s habitat in the East China Sea.     

Simulation of the Circulation and Space Structure of Thermohaline Fields in the Sevastopol Bay with Regard for the Actual External Data (Winter, 1997)

We discuss the results of the numerical experiment aimed at the simulation of the behavior of currents and transformations of the temperature and salt modes in the Sevastopol Bay in January–February 1997. In the numerical analysis, we use actual data on the velocity and direction of the wind, sea surface temperature, and the discharge of River Chernaya. It is shown that the circulation and structure of hydrological fields are mainly connected with the direction of the wind, its intensity, and variability in the course of time. Since the analyzed water area is shallow, the currents inside the bay undergo rapid transformations (less than for an hour after changes in the wind). At the same time, the transformations of the thermohaline fields are slower. Due to the inflow of fresh waters of River Chernaya and salt waters from the open sea through the strait, the structure of thermohaline fields formed in the bay is nonuniform (both in the vertical and horizontal directions). The distribution of salinity plays the main role in the formation of the vertical stratification, which is natural for the winter season. Due to the process of freshening of water, a quite high vertical salinity gradient is formed in the upper layer of the sea. As a result, the process of cooling does not lead to the appearance of convection and inversions of temperature are formed in the case where warmer waters are located in the bottom layers. __________ Translated from Morskoi Gidrofizicheskii Zhurnal, No. 2, pp. 60–76, March–April, 2005.     

Water-temperature effect on the spectral density of wind gravity waves and on sea-surface roughness

The results of hourly measurements of sea roughness and hydrometeorological parameters, which were automatically taken from special buoys over a long period of time, were used. These buoys were located in the open regions of both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in different climatic zones; the mean water-surface temperature around the buoys varies from 1–3°C to 26–28°C. In addition to measurement results, the tables contain data on the spectral density of sea roughness for a wide range of frequencies. An analysis of these data, which was made for a short-wave region of the wind-wave spectrum, for the first time revealed a noticeable watertemperature dependence of the spectral density of wind waves within the frequency range 0.30–0.40 Hz, which corresponds to wave lengths of 9-4 m. The presence of such dependence is explained by a rapid temperature change in kinematic sea-water viscosity. Earlier, we indicated the temperature dependence of only very short spectral components that relate to a centimetric wavelength range. The statistical significance of the watertemperature effect on the spectral density of waves of the indicated frequency is supported by the results of a variance analysis. Temperature variations in the parameter of sea-surface roughness, which is determined, first of all, by the energy of the spectral shortwave region, are estimated. Altimetry is the basic method which is used in remotely determining the velocity of near-water wind. This method allows one to obtain records of deviations of the sea surface from the geoid surface and to calculate (on the basis of these records) the spectral density of wave components of almost any frequency. It is known that the wave-spectrum components in the region of low frequencies are almost always affected by ripple. Consequently, the energy of these components is determined not only by wind forcing, and only the components in the range of frequencies exceeding approximately 0.3 Hz are purely windy. Therefore, using the results of sea-surface altimetry in order to determine the velocity of near-water wind, one should use the spectral densities of wave components in this frequency region. The water-temperature dependence of the spectral density of short wind waves is manifested only in a certain frequency interval, which supports this recommendation.     

A preliminary assessment of the sea surface wind speed production of HY-2 scanning microwave radiometer

A scanning microwave radiometer（RM） was launched on August 16,2011,on board HY-2 satellite.The six-month long global sea surface wind speeds observed by the HY-2 scanning microwave radiometer are preliminarily validated using in-situ measurements and WindSat observations,respectively,from January to June 2012.The wind speed root-mean-square（RMS） difference of the comparisons with in-situ data is 1.89 m/s for the measurements of NDBC and 1.72 m/s for the recent four-month data measured by PY30-1 oil platform,respectively.On a global scale,the wind speeds of HY-2 RM are compared with the sea surface wind speeds derived from WindSat,the RMS difference of 1.85 m/s for HY-2 RM collocated observations data set is calculated in the same period as above.With analyzing the global map of a mean difference between HY-2 RM and WindSat,it appears that the bias of the sea surface wind speed is obviously higher in the inshore regions.In the open sea,there is a relatively higher positive bias in the mid-latitude regions due to the overestimation of wind speed observations,while the wind speeds are underestimated in the Southern Ocean by HY-2 RM relative to WindSat observations.     

Simulation of surge phenomena and transformation of the admixture field in the Sea of Azov in the presence of stationary currents

Using a three-dimensional nonlinear mathematical model, we study the processes of transfer and diffusion of contaminants in the Sea of Azov in the presence of stationary currents. Changes in the sea level, surge phenomena, and the direction and velocity of stationary currents caused by winds with different maximum velocities are analyzed. We estimate the region of applicability of the linear approximation and the choice of the value of integration steps over space and time coordinates. It is shown that the growth of the maximum wind velocity increases the contaminated domains and the time of complete dispersion of the admixture. Solutions obtained in the linear approximation differ slightly from those obtained by using the nonlinear model for wind velocities up to 5 m/sec. Translated from Morskoi Gidrofizicheskii Zhurnal, No. 4, pp. 52–68, July–August, 2008.     

Measurements of the atmospheric turbulence in the coastal zone of the sea during weak wind from a mountainous coast

Results of measurements of the atmospheric turbulence in the layer between 1.5 and 21 m above sea level and the drag coefficient of the sea surface as the wind blows from a 4-km-long mountainous slope with a mean inclination of 11° are presented. The measurements of wind-speed profiles and its fluctuations at several levels, waves, and the main meteorological parameters were carried out in autumn 2005 and 2008 from a stationary platform located in the Black Sea at a distance of approximately 1 km from the southern coast of Crimea. It is shown that during weak synoptic wind a low-level wind jet develops at night over the sea with a maximum velocity up to 5–6 m/s at a level of approximately 6 m over the sea induced by the katabatic wind over the coastal slope. According to the approximate estimates, the horizontal scale of the low-level jet can reach a few tens of kilometers. This flow is characterized by the dissipation rate of the turbulence energy independent of height and low-frequency velocity fluctuations related to the gravity waves and advection of turbulence from the coast. It is shown that the lower part of the boundary layer (up to a height of 3 m) is adjusted to the sea-surface roughness. The dependencies of the drag coefficient on the wind speed or wave age are steadier than in the data for the open sea. However, the age of the waves is not a universal parameter at long and short fetches.     

Evidence that satellites sense the cross-sectional area of suspended particles in shelf seas and estuaries better than their mass

Quantitative algorithms for the remote sensing of suspended sediments in shelf seas and estuaries have traditionally sought to relate the signal sensed by the satellite radiometer to the mass of particles in suspension. In situ measurements presented in this paper, however, show that the irradiance reflection coefficient at the sea surface is more closely related to the cross-sectional area of particles in suspension than to their mass. Other optical properties (which in turbid water depend on particle area) can therefore be related directly to the reflection coefficient. To interpret satellite data in terms of mass concentration (for testing numerical models of suspended sediment transport, for example), it is necessary to know the relationship between the area and mass of the particles. For the 2008–2009 dataset presented here for western UK coastal waters, the particle cross-sectional area varies by a factor of 5 for particles of a given size and mass. The causes of this variation are currently poorly understood.     

Evaluation of the Diurnal Warming of Sea Surface Temperature Using Satellite-Derived Marine Meteorological Data

In order to produce a high-quality sea surface temperature (SST) data set, the daily amplitude of SST (ΔSST) should be accurately known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diurnal variation of sea surface temperature in a simple manner. The authors first simulated ΔSST with a one-dimensional numerical model using buoy-observed meteorological data and satellite-derived solar radiation data. When insolation is strong, the model-simulated 1-m-depth ΔSST becomes much smaller than the in situ value as wind speed decreases. By forcibly mixing the sea surface layer, the model ΔSST becomes closer to the in situ value. It can be considered that part of this difference is due to the turbulence induced by the buoy hull. Then, on the assumption that the model results were reliable, the authors derived a regression equation to evaluate ΔSST at the skin and 1-m depth from daily mean wind speed (U) and daily peak solar radiation (PS). ΔSST is approximately proportional to In(U) and (PS)², and the skin ΔSST estimated by the equation is not inconsistent with in situ observation results reported in past studies. The authors prepared maps of PS and U using only satellite data, and demonstrated the ΔSST evaluation over a wide area. The result showed that some wide patchy areas where the skin ΔSST exceeds 3.0 K can appear in the tropics and the mid-latitudes in summer. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Surface velocity time series derived from satellite altimetry data in a section across the Kuroshio southwest of Kyushu

A time series of surface geostrophic velocity is developed using satellite altimetry data during 1992–2010 for a track across the Kuroshio southeast of Kyushu, Japan. The temporal mean geostrophic velocity is estimated by combining the along-track sea level anomaly and shipboard ADCP data. This approximately 6-km resolution dataset is successful in representing the Kuroshio cross-current structure and temporal variation of the Kuroshio current-axis position during 2000–2010. The authors use this dataset to examine the winter Kuroshio path destabilization phenomenon. Its seasonal features are characterized as follows: the velocity shear on the inshore side of the Kuroshio becomes stronger and the Kuroshio path state becomes unstable from the summer to winter. This evidence is consistent with the hypothetical mechanism governing the destabilization phenomenon discussed in a previous study. Furthermore, the interannual amplitude modulation of the seasonality is examined in relation to interannual variations in the winter northerly wind over the northern Okinawa Trough and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) index. The destabilization phenomenon appears 15 times in the period 2000–2010. Ten cases are related to local wind effects, and 7 of these are also connected with the PDO index. This is probably because the winter northerly wind over the northern Okinawa Trough is regulated by the PDO signal in interannual time-scales. Only 4 cases are related to the PDO index, but their driving mechanism remains uncertain.     

南海海平面长期变化及其趋势研究

On the basis of the satellite maps of sea level anomaly(MSLA) data and in situ tidal gauge sea level data,correlation analysis and empirical mode decomposition(EMD) are employed to investigate the applicability of MSLA data,sea level correlation,long-term sea level variability(SLV) trend,sea level rise(SLR) rate and its geographic distribution in the South China Sea(SCS).The findings show that for Dongfang Station,Haikou Station,Shanwei Station and Zhapo Station,the minimum correlation coefficient between the closest MSLA grid point and tidal station is 0.61.This suggests that the satellite altimeter MSLA data are effective to observe the coastal SLV in the SCS.On the monthly scale,coastal SLV in the western and northern part of SCS are highly associated with coastal currents.On the seasonal scale,SLV of the coastal area in the western part of the SCS is still strongly influenced by the coastal current system in summer and winter.The Pacific change can affect the SCS mainly in winter rather than summer and the affected area mostly concentrated in the northeastern and eastern parts of the SCS.Overall,the average SLR in the SCS is 90.8 mm with a rising rate of(5.0±0.4) mm/a during1993–2010.The SLR rate from the southern Luzon Strait through the Huangyan Seamount area to the Xisha Islands area is higher than that of other areas of the SCS.     

Investigation of the characteristics of surge phenomena in the Sea of Azov

We present the results of numerical simulation of currents and sea level for the Sea of Azov. In calculations, we use a three-dimensional nonlinear mathematical model taking into account the tangential wind stresses. We present the results of numerical analysis of the fields of currents and the amplitudes of oscillations of the sea level at the coastal stations as functions of the maximum velocity and the period of constant action of the west wind. __________ Translated from Morskoi Gidrofizicheskii Zhurnal, No. 1, pp. 12–25, January–February, 2008.