J1.1
A recently revived dataset of satellite-based global air-sea surface turbulent fluxes (GSSTF2b) – features and applications
Chung-Lin Shie, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD
Accurate sea surface flux measurements are crucial to understanding the global water and energy cycles. The oceanic evaporation, which is a major component of the global oceanic fresh water flux, is particularly useful for predicting oceanic circulation and transport. Remote sensing is a valuable tool for global monitoring of these flux measurements. The Goddard Satellite-based Surface Turbulent Fluxes (GSSTF) algorithm being originally developed in late 1990's was subsequently applied to produce the later on widely used daily global (1ox1o) GSSTF2 (Version-2) dataset (July 1987-December 2000) in 2001. Almost a decade later, a new daily global (1ox1o) dataset, i.e., GSSTF2b (July 1987-December 2008) has lately been produced by using upgraded and improved input datasets such as the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) Version-6 (V6) product (including brightness temperature [Tb], total precipitable water [W], and wind speed) and the NCEP/DOE Reanalysis-2 (R2) product (including sea skin temperature, 2-meter air temperature, and sea level pressure). The previous input datasets used for producing GSSTF2 were earlier products of SSM/I Version-4 (V4) and NCEP Reanalysis-1 (R1). The newly produced GSSTF2b was found to generally agree better with available ship measurements obtained from several field experiments in 1999 than its counterpart GSSTF2 in all three flux components – latent heat flux (LHF), sensible heat flux, and wind stress. The globally averaged LHF of GSSTF2b was found with a smaller magnitude, as well as a smaller temporal trend than that of GSSTF2. The SSM/I Tb (i.e., Tb19v and Tb22v) retrieved from different satellites (i.e., F8, F10, F11, F13, F14 and F15) and used to retrieve the bottom-layer precipitable water (WB), and then the surface air humidity (Qa) has played a critical role in the trend of globally averaged LHF. More features and applications (e.g., the ENSO signal) of GSSTF2b will be presented and discussed in the meeting.
Joint Session 1, Measuring the Water Cycle From Space
Monday, 27 September 2010, 3:30 PM-5:00 PM, Capitol D
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