Title: On the use of Lagrangian Coherent Structures in direct assimilation of ocean tracer images

Authors:

Satellite ocean tracer images, of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and Ocean Colour images, for example, show patterns like fronts and filaments that characterise the flow dynamics. These patterns can be described using Lagrangian tools such as Finite-Time Lyapunov Exponents (FTLE) or Finite-Time Lyapunov Vectors (FTLV). In recent years, several studies have investigated the possibility of directly assimilating structured data from satellite images into numerical models. We exploit specific properties of FTLE and FTLV to define observation operators that can be used in a direct ocean tracer image assimilation scheme. In an idealised context, we show that high-resolution SST and Ocean Colour images can be exploited to correct velocity fields using FTLE or FTLV.

GMAO Head: Michele Rienecker Global Modeling and Assimilation Office NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Curator: Nikki Privé Last Updated: May 27 2011