Gregg, Watson: NASA GSFC (Project Lead)
Project Funding:
2009 - 2012
NRA: 2007 NASA: Carbon Cycle Science
Funded by NASA
Abstract:
Chlorophyll is the most systematically and widely observed carbon-related variable in the oceans. In situ archives date to 1955. Satellite estimates are available on a global basis continuously since 1996. This data treasure provides a unique and irreplaceable indicator of how climate change may affect ocean carbon and vice versa. However, both in situ and satellite and data sets are flawed: in situ because of poor spatial coverage, and satellite because of accuracy and occasional sampling issues.
We intend to investigate issues related to ocean chlorophyll errors, quantify them to the extent possible, and propose solutions when possible. We will bring to bear in situ comparisons, analysis methodologies, and data assimilation techniques. We intend to investigate errors on multiple spatial and temporal scales (regionally, globally, seasonally, and interannually). First we will assess the satellite and in situ chlorophyll error and its variability. Distributions of the error will be provided using the conditional relaxation analysis method, involving in situ and satellite data. This will reveal areas and times when corrections are needed for the satellite data. We will then proceed to estimate sampling errors from satellite. Finally, a full global ocean chlorophyll assimilation system will be applied using various fields, including in situ, analysis of satellite and in situ data, and satellite data to observe overall improvement and continued regions/times where problems exist. An in situ sampling program will be proposed that will minimize the residual errors, after utilizing all available tools, i.e., satellite data, available in situ data, analysis of satellite and in situ, and data assimilation. The result of these analyses can yield information on optimization of future satellite missions, balancing sampling, reducing persistent errors locations and times, with costs.
2008 NASA Carbon Cycle & Ecosystems Joint Science Workshop Posters
- Filling the gap in the ocean color time series
-- (Watson Gregg)
[abstract]
[poster]
More details may be found in the following project profile(s):
