Algorithm for estimating sea surface temperatures based on Aqua/MODIS global ocean data. 1. Development and validation of the algorithm

An algorithm for estimating global sea surface temperatures (SST) from data obtained from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard the Aqua satellite has been developed empirically. Four atmospheric correction models for MODIS observations are examined, and the effects of ancillary data for corrections are discussed. A nonlinear (NLSST) model using high-temporal-resolution climatological SSTs as the first guess shows high accuracy and availability. The addition of a temperature-proportional term to the NLSST model effectively improves the estimate.     

Thermal structure of hot events and their possible role in maintaining the warm isothermal layer in the Western Pacific warm pool

Ocean Dynamics - The short-lived events of high SST are called hot events (HEs) and can only be generated under the conditions of large daily heat gain due to strong solar radiation and weak wind....     

A review of satellite-based microwave observations of sea surface temperatures

Satellite-based microwave radiometers can measure sea surface temperature (SST) over wide areas, even under cloud cover, owing to the weak absorption of microwaves by cloud droplets. This advantage is not available in the case of infrared observations, hence SST data derived from microwave radiometers have been widely used for operational and research purposes in recent years. This paper reviews the significant algorithms, validations, and applications related to microwave observation of SST. The history and specifications of past and present microwave radiometers are also documented. Various physical properties, including sea surface salinity, sea surface wind, molecules in the atmosphere, and clouds, affect the accuracy of SST data estimated by satellite-based microwave radiometers. Estimation algorithms are designed to correct these effects by using microwave measurements in several frequency channels and by using data of ancillary geophysical parameters. Validation studies have shown that microwave radiometer SST data have high accuracy that is comparable to the accuracy of data obtained from infrared measurements. However, certain persistent problems, such as sea-surface wind correction, remain to be solved.     

Algorithm and validation of sea surface temperature observation using MODIS sensors aboard terra and aqua in the western North Pacific

A regional algorithm to estimate SST fields in the western North Pacific, where small oceanographic disturbance are often found, has been developed using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometers (MODIS) aboard Terra and Aqua. Its associated algorithm, which includes cloud screening and SST estimation, is based on an algorithm for the Global Imager (GLI) aboard Advanced Earth Observing Satellite-II (ADEOS-II) and is tuned for MODIS sensors. For atmospheric correction, we compare Multi-Channel SST (MCSST), Nonlinear SST (NLSST), Water Vapor SST (WVSST) and Quadratic SST (QDSST) techniques. For NLSST, four first-guess SSTs are investigated, including the values for MCSST, climatology with two different spatial resolutions, and near-real-time objective analysis. The results show that the NLSST method using high-resolution climatological SST as a first-guess has both good quality and high efficiency. The differences of root-mean-square error (RMSE) between the NLSST models using low-resolution climatology and those using high-resolution climatology are up to 0.25 K. RMSEs of the new algorithm are 0.70 K/0.65 K for daytime (Aqua/Terra) and 0.65 K/0.66 K for nighttime, respectively. Diurnal warming and the stratification of the ocean surface layer under low wind are discussed.     

Time-Dependent Spatial Wavenumber Spectra Derived from Merged Sea Surface Temperature Data

Monthly wavenumber spectra of sea surface temperatures (SST) have been estimated in two regions near the Kuroshio, in the recirculation and the Kuroshio Extension regions, using the merged SST product to determine the statistical parameter (spatial decorrelation scale) required for optimal interpolation of a high-resolution SST dataset. The two-dimensional wavelet transform was used for analysis. Estimates were made of daily mean and daily minimum SSTs. These do not significantly differ, which suggests that the same covariance matrix can be used for the daily mean and minimum in the merging procedure. The seasonality of wavenumber spectra is significant. There are also large differences between those in the recirculation region and in the Kuroshio Extension region. Therefore, it is recommended that the covariance matrix in the merging process for high-resolution SST dataset be defined as a function of time and space. Improvements of the merging methodology are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Naturally occurring radionuclides and rare earth elements in weathered Japanese soil samples

The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ac in weathered Japanese soils from two selected prefectures have been measured using a γ-ray spectroscopy system with high purity germanium detector. The uranium, thorium, and rare earth elements (REEs) concentrations were determined from the same soil samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). For example, granitic rocks contain higher amounts of U, Th, and light REEs compared to other igneous rocks such as basalt and andesites. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the interaction between REEs and nature of soils since soils are complex heterogeneous mixture of organic and inorganic solids, water, and gases. In this paper, we will discuss about distribution pattern of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th along with REEs in soil samples of weathered acid rock (granite) collected from two prefectures of Japan: Hiroshima and Miyagi.     

Thermal maturity of a fold–thrust belt based on vitrinite reflectance analysis in the Western Foothills complex, western Taiwan

Burial depth, cumulative displacement, and peak temperature of frictional heat of a fault system are estimated by thermal analysis in the fold–thrust belt of the Western Foothills complex, western Taiwan based on the vitrinite reflectance technique. The regional thermal structure across the complex reveals that the rocks were exposed to maximum temperatures ranging from 100 °C to 180 °C, which corresponds to a burial depth of 3.7–6.7 km. A large thermal difference of 90 °C were observed at the Shuilikeng fault which make the eastern boundary of the fold–thrust belt where it is in contact with metamorphic rock of Hsuehshan Range. The large thermal difference corresponds to cumulative displacements on the Shuilikeng fault estimated to be in the range of 5.2–6.9 km. However, thermal differences in across the Shuangtung and Chelungpu faults cannot be determined apparently due to small vertical offsets. The large displacement observed across the Shuilikeng fault is absent at the other faults which are interpreted to be younger faults within the piggyback thrust system. Localized high temperatures adjacent to fault zones were observed in core samples penetrating the Chelungpu fault. Three major fracture zones were observed at core lengths of 225 m, 330 m, and 405 m and the two lower zones which comprise dark gray narrow shear zones. A value of vitrinite reflectance of 1.8%, higher than the background value of 0.8%, is limited at a narrow shear zone of 1 cm thickness at the fracture zone at 330 m. The estimated peak temperature in the range of 550–680 °C in the shear zone is far higher than the background temperature of 130 °C, and it is interpreted as due to frictional heating during seismic faulting.     

Improvement of New Generation Sea Surface Temperature for Open ocean (NGSST-O): a new sub-sampling method of blending microwave observations

An improved version (version 1.6) of the blended optimum interpolation sea surface temperature (SST), obtained by use of infrared (IR) and microwave (MW) data of the New Generation SST for Open ocean (NGSST-O) product, has been developed. A major improvement is the introduction of a sub-sampling scheme for MW-SST with a finer grid; this has resulted in reduction of the blocky patterning occasionally found in blended SST products with finer grids. Spectral comparison of along-track sea surface height and NGSST-O suggests that mesoscale turbulence was reproduced in the updated NGSST-O in a wide wavelength range.     

Global mapping of 10-day differences of temperature and salinity in the intermediate layer observed with Argo floats

Journal of Oceanography - The authors examine small-scale spatiotemporal variability of the layer nearly 2000-m depth, which is the “bottom” of the present Argo observation system,...