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MERCATOR French Ocean System: Observed 3D Global Ocean Products
Entry ID: Armor

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Summary

Abstract: The "observed global ocean" products are based on satellite observation data
(altimetry and sea surface temperature) and in situ data measurements. The
Mercator system currently receives data from three altimetry satellites:
Envisat (European Space Agency), GFO (U.S. Navy) and Jason (NASA/CNES).
Altimetry data are supplied through the Ssalto/Duacs program
("http://www.aviso.oceanobs.com/html/donnees/duacs/welcome_uk.html"). Reynolds
SST are supplied by the NCEP (National Center for Environmental Prediction, a
NOAA service). They are computed from analysis between AVHRR- NOAA POES data
and in situ measurements. In situ Mercator data are supplied by the French
Coriolis center ("http://www.coriolis.eu.org/"). Vertical variations of
temperature (T) or temperature plus salinity (T,S) are recorded at different
depths throughout the water column.

In addition to ocean observation, 3D reconstitution of oceanic fields and data
intercomparison products are available. There are two steps in data
combination: vertical projection of altimetry and SST data using a multiple
regression method that generates temperature and salinity profiles, then
combination with in situ observations. Objective analysis taking into
consideration statistical error parameters for a 3D estimation of sea state.
During data intercomparion, altimetry and in situ data are compared to ensure
compatibility of data quantification, of altimetry measurement content
(barotropic versus baroclinic component) and the ageostrophic component
estimation of surface circulation. This allows a high-quality diagnosis able to
reveal, for instance, that a particular salinity sensor is no longer reliable.

"Observed global ocean" products can be accessed on-line through Mercator Web
Products. For additional product information see
"http://www.mercator-ocean.fr/html/produits/description/welcome_en.html".
Mercator web products are designed for a wide audience (freely available),
while numerical products are files for professional users and are available on
a remote server. Please make an e-mail request to products@mercator-ocean.fr
Archive bulletins are also available to identify longer-term patterns.

Mercator web "observed global ocean" (Armor, 1/3 degrees) products can be
browsed on MERCATOR product web site:
"http://bulletin.mercator-ocean.fr/html/welcome_en.jsp"

Related URL

Link: VIEW PROJECT HOME PAGE
Description: Mercator Ocean Main Webpage

Link: VIEW PROJECT HOME PAGE
Description: Mercator Ocean Web products.
3D modelled ocean: nowcasts and forecasts (medium resolution Atlantic 1/3
degree; high resolution North Atlantic and Mediterranean 1/15 degree; global
low resolution 2 degree); and global observed ocean, data intercomparison and 3
D reconstitution of oceanic fields.

Link: VIEW RELATED INFORMATION
Description: Mercator Web products hanbook webpage (including the "Model: analysis and
forecasting" products handbook and the "Observed ocean" products handbook).
This handbook gives you the keys to understanding the 2,000 images you can see
every week in the Mercator Web bulletin. The "observed ocean" system is based
on altimetry and in situ data measurements. Additional information about
Mercator configuration can also be found.

Parent DIF

This data set description is a member of a collection. The collection is described in
MERCATOR

Geographic Coverage

N: 90.0 S: -90.0 E: 180.0 W: -180.0

Data Set Citation

Dataset Originator/Creator: Mercator Ocean
Dataset Title: Observed global ocean (Armor)
Online Resource: http://www.mercator-ocean.fr/html/produits/description/produits_ima...

Location Keywords

GEOGRAPHIC REGION > GLOBAL OCEAN

Data Resolution
Latitude Resolution: 1/3 degrees
Longitude Resolution: 1/3 degrees
Vertical Resolution: from 0 down to 700m deep
Temporal Resolution: daily, weekly

ISO Topic Category

ELEVATION
OCEANS

Platform

ERS-2 >European Remote Sensing Satellite-2    [Information]

GFO-1 >GEOSAT FOLLOW-ON-1    [Information]

JASON-1    [Information]

NOAA POES >NOAA Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites    [Information]

ENVISAT >Environmental Satellite    [Information]

Instrument

ALTIMETERS    [Information]

RADAR ALTIMETERS    [Information]

CTD >Conductivity, Temperature, Depth    [Information]

DRIFTING BUOYS    [Information]

XBT >Expendable Bathythermographs    [Information]

AVHRR >Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer    [Information]

POSEIDON-2 >JASON-1 RADAR ALTIMETER    [Information]

Project

GODAE >Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment    [Information]

MERSEA >Marine Environment and Security for the European Area    [Information]

MERCATOR >MERCATOR OCEAN-Operational Oceanography    [Information]

Access Constraints

Mercator web real time image products (GIF format) are designed for a wide
audience (freely available, except zonal maps younger than 30 days need
authorized access), while numerical products are files for professional users
and are available on a remote server with authorized access.

Please, you must justify your request to these products. E-mail request to
products@mercator-ocean.fr or download the form

Keywords

model assimilation

altimetry data

sea surface temperature

in situ data

model intercomparison

operational oceanography

global ocean model

Data Set Progress

IN WORK

Originating Center

Data Center

MERCATOR OCEAN-Operational Oceanography, France [Information]
Data Center URL: http://www.mercator-ocean.fr/

Data Center Personnel

Name: GIP MERCATOR OCEAN USER SERVICES
Phone: 33 5 61 39 38 02
Fax: 33 5 61 39 38 99
Email: products at mercator-ocean.fr
Contact Address:
Parc Technologique du Canal
8-10 rue Hermes
City: Ramonville St Agne
Postal Code: 31520
Country: FRANCE

Distribution

Distribution_Media: Image Browse (public access), Remote Server (restricted access)
Distribution_Format: GIF, NetCDF, CF/COARDS

Personnel

VINCENT TOUMAZOU
Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT
Email: vincent.toumazou at mercator-ocean.fr

MELANIE F. MEAUX
Role: DIF AUTHOR
Email: gsfc-gcmduso at mail.nasa.gov

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2004-12-28

Last DIF Revision Date: 2005-04-01

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