Acknowledgements: Steve Cook and Robert MolinariTSG-SEAS: Paul Chinn and Janet RoseliOperations: Derrick Snowden, James Farrington, and Carrie WolffData processing: Guilherme Castelao and Hiquin YangData distribution: Guilherme Castelao, Francis Bringas, and Joaquin TrinanesWeb page development: Francis Bringas and Pedro DiNezioNOAA/NMFS Collab.: Jon Hare, Dan Smith, and Jack JossieNOAA Marine Operations: Dennis Shields, Tom Stepka, and John KatebiniExplorer of the Seas*: Rod Zika and Liz Williams
Funded by the NOAA Office of Climate Observations* Funded by NOAA and NSF
NOAA/AOML Thermosalinograph (TSG) Operations
JCOMM SOT-4 MeetingGeneva, April 16-21, 2007
Gustavo Jorge GoniNOAA/AOMLMiami, Florida
NOAA/AOML TSG project description
http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/phod/tsg/index.php
sea surface salinity (SSS)
Provides key information on the variability of global precipitation, evaporation, and the fresh water cycle.
Is a factor in water mass formation and SSS variability can affect the intensity of the thermohaline circulation.
Can be utilized to initialize climate forecast models, if salinity profiles are not available.
Through Alkalinity improves is linked to the amount of
dissolved CO2 in the oceans.
Will be used to validate and calibrate fields obtained from the SMOS and Aquarius satellite missions.
Can be used to assess numerical model performances
NOAA/AOML Thermosalingraphs
SBE 21: • Oleander, • Skogafoss, • NOAA fleet.
SBE 45 (micro TSG): • RCCL Explorer of the Seas, • Albert Rickmers, • SAS Explorer, • NOAA fleet.
2 cargo ships Atlantic Ocean.1 cruise ship western North Atlantic, Caribbean
Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
1 cargo ship Pacific Ocean.1 cruise ship around the world twice a year.15 NOAA ships global.
NOAA/AOML TSG and SEAS installation set-up
AOML-TSG transects
2001 20032002
2004 2005 2006
SkogafossOleanderC. Waikato
Current NOAA/AOML-TSG transects
currently maintained TSG transects
Upcoming TSG installations: Semester At Sea M/V Explorer (around the world twice a year) Albert Rickmers (Pacific Ocean)
AOML/SEAS TSG data flow
platform identification impossible date impossible location position on land test(ETOPO5*) impossible speed(4-35 knots) global ranges regional ranges spike test gradient test constant value check climatology and NCEP weekly analysis buddy check (comparison against ARGO, CTD, …) water sample check
AOML TSG QC steps
GOSUD recommendedQC steps
AOML additionalQC steps
RT
DT
2-10-30 sec sampling 5 min QC data
NOAA/AOML-TSG QC
TSGWater samplesProfiling floatsClimatology
NOAA/AOML-TSG QC
TSGWater samplesProfiling floatsClimatology
Identification of equipment bias in TSG using climatology and in-situ observations
TSG 5 min QC data
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
nu
mb
er*
10
00
Oleander 37 29 47 37 20 35
Skogafoss 5 15 30 49 48 49
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
TSG data 5 min DT QC performance
0
50
100
150
200
nu
mb
er*
10
00
QC step
Oleander 202 27 57 0.2 0.8
Skogafoss 195 35 96 0.2 0.4
total data
clim NCEP spike grad
Bad flags
Total data
Skogafoss TSG transects
2001-2006 transects2001-2006 SSS space-time diagram
Oleander TSG transects
2001-2006 transects 2001-2006 SSS space-time diagram
Gulf Stream front
TSG temperatures are:0.22-0.26C higher than the profiling float temperature, 0.16-0.29C higher than the XBT temperature and 0.09 C higher than the water sample.
TSG Salinity values are in good agreement with concurrent observations:0.05 lower than the float salinity and 0.07 lower than the water sample.
Summary of TSG data QC statistical analysis(Skogafoss and Oleander)
Issue: need of external temperature sensor
RCCL’s Explorer of the SeasTSG transects
2006 transects 2006-2007 SSS time series
Altimetry-derived Yucatan Straits geostrophic current transport
NOAA/AOML TSG data distribution into GTS
Location of TSG data taken from GTS, March-April 2007
2007 TRACKOB GTS salinity data
NOAA AOML: 21,000 reports to GTSOthers: 18 reports to GTS
2007 TRACKOB GTS salinity data
currentCargo ships: Oleander and SkogafossSemester At Sea’s M/V ExplorerCargo ship Albert Rickmers
NOAA FleetShip Use Main area of
operationReal-time
transmission capability
Real-time TSG data transmission
Ronald Brown O Worldwide current December 2006
Oscar Dyson F Gulf of Mexico, Pacific and Atlantic oceans
current December 2006
Miller Freeman F Pacific Ocean current December 2006
Ka’imimoana O - A Tropical Pacific Ocean January 2007 January 2007
Hi’ialakai O -F Pacific Ocean January 2007 January 2007
Oscar E. Sette F Tropical Pacific January 2007 January 2007
Nancy Foster E-F Atlantic Ocean January 2007 TSG being installed
Gordon Gunter F Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean
January 2007 January 2007
Fairweather NC Gulf of Alaska Mid 2007 Mid 2007
Mc. Arthur II E-F Pacific Ocean Mid 2007 Mid 2007
Albatros IV F North Atlantic Ocean Planned *
Delaware II F North Atlantic Ocean Planned *
Oregon II F Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Planned *
David Jordan F Off CA and OR coast Planned *
Ships with pCO2 systems
Continue transmission of data of RCCL’s Explorer into the GTS. Initiate transmission of QC’ed (RT) data of cargo ships into the GTS. Initiate transmission of QC’ed (RT) data of NOAA fleet into the GTS. Test external temperature sensor in one cargo ship.
Continue support of pCO2 systems. Collaborate with future satellite salinity missions.
Initiate a sustained and strong collaboration with data centers,submission of QC’ed data to NODC and Coriolis.
Have a strong participation within GOSUD.
New TSG installations: • M/V Explorer of Semester At Sea• Albert Rickmers.
Initiate tests with BUFR and Metadata.
Science support.
NOAA/AOML TSG plans
Semester At Sea’s M/V Explorer