Steric Sea-level Variations Inferred from Combined Topex/Poseidon Altimetry and GRACE Gravimetry |
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Authors: | D García G Ramillien A Lombard A Cazenave |
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Institution: | (1) LEGOS, Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse, France |
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Abstract: | In this study, we propose to estimate the steric sea-level variations over a < 2-year period (April 2002 through December
2003) by combining global mean sea level (GMSL) based on Topex/Poseidon (T/P) altimetry with time-variable geoid averaged
over the oceans, as observed by the GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellite. In effect, altimetry-derived
GMSL changes results from two contributions: Steric (thermal plus salinity) effects due to sea water density change and ocean
mass change due to water exchange with atmosphere and continents. On the other hand, GRACE data over the oceans provide the
ocean mass change component only. The paper first discusses the corrections to apply to the GRACE data. Then the steric contribution
to the GMSL is estimated using GRACE and T/P data. Comparison with available thermal expansion based on in situ hydrographic
data is performed.
G. García: On leave from Space Geodesy Laboratory, Applied Mathematics Department, EPS, University of Alicante, Alicante,
Spain. |
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Keywords: | Global Ocean Steric sea level ocean mass change GRACE time-variable gravity TOPEX/poseidon altimetry hydrographic data |
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