Tangdong Q., Song T., Maes Christophe. (2014). Sea surface salinity and barrier layer variability in the equatorial Pacific as seen from Aquarius and Argo. Journal of Geophysical Research.Oceans, 119 (1), p. 15-29. ISSN 2169-9291.
Titre du document
Sea surface salinity and barrier layer variability in the equatorial Pacific as seen from Aquarius and Argo
Année de publication
2014
Type de document
Article
Auteurs
Tangdong Q., Song T., Maes Christophe
Source
Journal of Geophysical Research.Oceans, 2014,
119 (1), p. 15-29 ISSN 2169-9291
This study investigates the sea surface salinity (SSS) and barrier layer variability in the equatorial Pacific using recently available Aquarius and Argo data. Comparison between the two data sets indicates that Aquarius is able to capture most of the SSS features identified by Argo. Despite some discrepancies in the mean value, the SSS from the two data sets shows essentially the same seasonal cycle in both magnitude and phase. For the period of observation between August 2011 and July 2013 Aquarius nicely resolved the zonal displacement of the SSS front along the equator, showing its observing capacity of the western Pacific warm pool. Analysis of the Argo data provides further information on surface stratification. A thick barrier layer is present on the western side of the SSS front during all the period of observation, moving back and forth along the equator with its correlation with the Southern Oscillation Index exceeding 0.80. Generally, the thick barrier layer moves eastward during El Niño and westward during La Niña. The mechanisms responsible for this zonal displacement are discussed.
Plan de classement
Milieux physico-chimique [032MILPHY]
Descripteurs
OCEANOGRAPHIE PHYSIQUE ; SALINITE ; TEMPERATURE DE SURFACE ; VARIABILITE ; RECIF BARRIERE ; OBSERVATOIRE ; TRAITEMENT DE DONNEES
