Validation and Variation of Upper Layer Thickness in South China Sea from Satellite Altimeter Data
Satellite altimeter data from 1993 to 2005 has been used to analyze the seasonal variation and the interannual variability of upper layer thickness (ULT) in the South China Sea (SCS). Base on in-situ measurements, the ULT is defined as the thickness from the sea surface to the depth of 16°C isoth...
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MDPI AG
2008-06-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/8/6/3802/ |
| _version_ | 1817995018633216000 |
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| author | Nan-Jung Kuo Zhe-Wen Zheng Chung-Ru Ho Chun-Yi Lin |
| author_facet | Nan-Jung Kuo Zhe-Wen Zheng Chung-Ru Ho Chun-Yi Lin |
| author_sort | Nan-Jung Kuo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Satellite altimeter data from 1993 to 2005 has been used to analyze the seasonal variation and the interannual variability of upper layer thickness (ULT) in the South China Sea (SCS). Base on in-situ measurements, the ULT is defined as the thickness from the sea surface to the depth of 16°C isotherm which is used to validate the result derived from satellite altimeter data. In comparison with altimeter and in-situ derived ULTs yields a correlation coefficient of 0.92 with a slope of 0.95 and an intercept of 6 m. The basin averaged ULT derived from altimeter is 160 m in winter and 171 m in summer which is similar to the in-situ measurements of 159 m in winter and 175 m in summer. Both results also show similar spatial patterns. It suggests that the sea surface height data derived from satellite sensors are usable for study the variation of ULT in the semi-closed SCS. Furthermore, we also use satellite derived ULT to detect the development of eddy. Interannual variability of two meso-scale cyclonic eddies and one anticyclonic eddy are strongly influenced by El Niño events. In most cases, there are highly positive correlations between ULT and sea surface temperature except the periods of El Niño. During the onset of El Niño event, ULT is deeper when sea surface temperature is lower. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T01:59:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-15d6420f9fb24562821ecd924413e078 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T01:59:44Z |
| publishDate | 2008-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-15d6420f9fb24562821ecd924413e0782022-12-22T02:18:51ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202008-06-018638023818Validation and Variation of Upper Layer Thickness in South China Sea from Satellite Altimeter DataNan-Jung KuoZhe-Wen ZhengChung-Ru HoChun-Yi LinSatellite altimeter data from 1993 to 2005 has been used to analyze the seasonal variation and the interannual variability of upper layer thickness (ULT) in the South China Sea (SCS). Base on in-situ measurements, the ULT is defined as the thickness from the sea surface to the depth of 16°C isotherm which is used to validate the result derived from satellite altimeter data. In comparison with altimeter and in-situ derived ULTs yields a correlation coefficient of 0.92 with a slope of 0.95 and an intercept of 6 m. The basin averaged ULT derived from altimeter is 160 m in winter and 171 m in summer which is similar to the in-situ measurements of 159 m in winter and 175 m in summer. Both results also show similar spatial patterns. It suggests that the sea surface height data derived from satellite sensors are usable for study the variation of ULT in the semi-closed SCS. Furthermore, we also use satellite derived ULT to detect the development of eddy. Interannual variability of two meso-scale cyclonic eddies and one anticyclonic eddy are strongly influenced by El Niño events. In most cases, there are highly positive correlations between ULT and sea surface temperature except the periods of El Niño. During the onset of El Niño event, ULT is deeper when sea surface temperature is lower.http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/8/6/3802/Upper layer thicknesssatellite altimeterSouth China SeaEl Niño |
| spellingShingle | Nan-Jung Kuo Zhe-Wen Zheng Chung-Ru Ho Chun-Yi Lin Validation and Variation of Upper Layer Thickness in South China Sea from Satellite Altimeter Data Sensors Upper layer thickness satellite altimeter South China Sea El Niño |
| title | Validation and Variation of Upper Layer Thickness in South China Sea from Satellite Altimeter Data |
| title_full | Validation and Variation of Upper Layer Thickness in South China Sea from Satellite Altimeter Data |
| title_fullStr | Validation and Variation of Upper Layer Thickness in South China Sea from Satellite Altimeter Data |
| title_full_unstemmed | Validation and Variation of Upper Layer Thickness in South China Sea from Satellite Altimeter Data |
| title_short | Validation and Variation of Upper Layer Thickness in South China Sea from Satellite Altimeter Data |
| title_sort | validation and variation of upper layer thickness in south china sea from satellite altimeter data |
| topic | Upper layer thickness satellite altimeter South China Sea El Niño |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/8/6/3802/ |
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