A dataset of surface current vectors with error estimate from 1999 to 2007 is derived from the trajectories of the Array for Real-time Geostrophic Oceanography (Argo) drifting on surface over the global ocean. The err...A dataset of surface current vectors with error estimate from 1999 to 2007 is derived from the trajectories of the Array for Real-time Geostrophic Oceanography (Argo) drifting on surface over the global ocean. The error of the estimated surface currents is about 4.7 cm s-1 which is equivalent to the accuracy of the currents determined from the surface drifters. Geographically, the Argo-derived surface currents can fill many gaps left by the Global Drifter Program due to the greater number of floats, and can provide a complementary in situ observational system for monitoring global ocean surface currents. The surface currents from the Argo floats are compared with the surface drifter-derived currents and the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean program (TAO) measurements. The comparisons show good agreement for both the current amplitude and the direction of surface currents. Results indicate the feasibility of obtaining ocean surface currents from the Argo array and of combining the surface currents from Argo and the ocean surface drifters for in situ mapping of the global surface currents. The authors also make the dataset available to users of interest for many types of applications.展开更多
基金supported by Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant Nos. KZCX2-YW-202 and KZCX1-YW-12-03)National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2006CB403600)National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40221503 and 40776011)
文摘A dataset of surface current vectors with error estimate from 1999 to 2007 is derived from the trajectories of the Array for Real-time Geostrophic Oceanography (Argo) drifting on surface over the global ocean. The error of the estimated surface currents is about 4.7 cm s-1 which is equivalent to the accuracy of the currents determined from the surface drifters. Geographically, the Argo-derived surface currents can fill many gaps left by the Global Drifter Program due to the greater number of floats, and can provide a complementary in situ observational system for monitoring global ocean surface currents. The surface currents from the Argo floats are compared with the surface drifter-derived currents and the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean program (TAO) measurements. The comparisons show good agreement for both the current amplitude and the direction of surface currents. Results indicate the feasibility of obtaining ocean surface currents from the Argo array and of combining the surface currents from Argo and the ocean surface drifters for in situ mapping of the global surface currents. The authors also make the dataset available to users of interest for many types of applications.
