MERCATOR French Ocean System
Entry ID:
MERCATOR
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Summary
Abstract:
The Mercator mission was defined in 1996 by six partner organizations (Cnes, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Meteo France, and Shom). Mercator Ocean is based in Toulouse, France, which acts as the focal point for development work. Today, the team numbers 30 engineers and researchers from the six partner organizations, supported by ... subsidiaries CERFACS and CLS, and occasionally by
external computer services and engineering companies. The group is developing
several operational systems at a time. Only one system is used within the
Mersea strand1 context and is described below.
Mercator has been providing weekly analysis and real-time nowcast (T0), and
forecast (T0+7 days and T0 +14 days) bulletins of the three-dimensional ocean
in the North and tropical Atlantic up to 20 degrees S since January 17th 2001.
The medium-resolution bulletin (1/3 degree; one point computed every 35 km at
the equator) gives conditions from the surface right down to the bottom. This
resolution is suitable for monitoring ocean circulation on a large scale. The
first high-resolution bulletin (1/15 degree; one point computed every 5 to 7 km
throughout the region of interest) was published on January 8th 2003 and is
eddy-resolving. It covered the North Atlantic between 9 degrees N and 70
degrees N and the whole of the Mediterranean Sea. A low resolution global ocean
model (2 degrees; one point computed every 220 km at the equator) with
altimetry data assimilation is also available since May 2004. A high
resolution global operational circulation model (1/4 degrees) assimilating
satellite and in situ data is planned for the 2005 year. For more information
see Mercator Configurations Summary at
http://www.mercator-ocean.fr/html/mod_actu/public/welcome_en.php3
Additional information about the Model:
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The four ocean model configurations retained by the Mercator project are all
based on the OPA z-coordinates ocean circulation model (Madec et al., 1998).
OPA is an incompressible Navier-Stokes primitive-equation model using
Boussinesq rigid-lid approximation that describes the temporal evolution of
velocity, temperature and salinity in three dimensions. Mixed layer dynamic is
ruled by TKE turbulent closure equations (1.5 closure scheme) (Blanke et al.
1993). The first model configuration is the "Maquette Atlantique Nord" (MNATL)
between 20 degrees S and 70 degrees N. The second one is the "Prototype
Atlantique Mediterranee" (PAM) between 9 degrees N and 70 degrees N. The
horizontal resolution is 1/3 degree for MNATL, 1/15 degrees for PAM and 43
levels are used on the vertical for both of them. The bathymetry is processed
from the Smith and Sandwell (1997) data base and ETOPO5. Momentum and heat
forcings are daily ECMWF forcing. Surface temperature is restored from Reynolds
analyses (Reynolds & Smith, 1994), which include satellite and in-situ
observations. Surface salinity is restored from climatology. The model is
initialized using Reynaud (Reynaud et al. 1998) seasonal climatology. At last,
two Ocean Global Prototypes, POG (1/4 degrees, 43 levels) and ORCA (2 degrees,
31 levels) are being implemented.
Assimilation Method:
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The data assimilation method (SAM; Systeme d'Assimilation Mercator) used is the
reduced-order optimal interpolation (OI) scheme SOFA (Sub Optimal Filtering of
Altimetry) (De Mey and Benkiran, 2002) coupled with the PALM software coupler
(PALM group, 2000). The baroclinic component is corrected applying a
lifting-lowering method similar to Cooper and Haines method (1996). Data
assimilation is stopped along isobaths 500m towards the coast. Sea level
anomaly (SLA) from Jason1/ERS2-Envisat/GFO is assimilated along track, once a
week. The mean sea surface height (MSSH) used during the assimilation process
is the one from Rio et al. (2003) diagnosed from in-situ observations in the
Atlantic ocean. In the Mediterranean basin, MSSH is made out of several
numerical simulations. Version 1 products assimilates altimetry data (SLA)
only, while version 2 products assimilates altimetry and in situ data (SLA,
Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) and In situ
profiles).
Mercator bulletins contain a range of parameters selected to depict ocean
conditions and dynamics. These include: salinity, temperature, surface
currents, zonal, meridian and vertical velocities, transport, sea surface
height, mixed layer depth, barotropic height, baroclinic height. "Model:
analysis and forecasting" 3D ocean products and "observed ocean" 3D products
can be accessed on-line through Mercator Web Products (full domain and zonal
animations, whole maps, zonal maps, sections and moorings graphs). The
"observed ocean" system is based on altimetry and in situ data measurements.
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 products can be browsed on MERCATOR product web site:
http://bulletin.mercator-ocean.fr/html/welcome_en.jsp
Web products include the 3D modelled ocean (nowcasts and forecasts) Mercator
prototypes (Medium-resolution Atlantic (PSY1V2, 1/3 degrees), High-resolution
North Atlantic and Mediterranean (PSY2V1, 1/15 degrees), Global low-resolution
(Minipog/PSY2G1;2 degrees)) and 3D global observed ocean products from
satellite observation data (altimetry, surface sea temperatures) and in situ
data, data intercomparison and 3D reconstitution of oceanic fields.
In the Mersea strand1 european project context, Mercator makes available via an
DODS/Opendap server its PSY2 high-resolution prototype products since
01/06/2003. Mercator also offers access to its products via the LAS implemented
in the Mersea context. For more information see
http://strand1.mersea.eu.org/html/strand1/datalinks.html 
Related URL
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Description:
Mercator Ocean Main Webpage
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Geographic Coverage
(Click for Interactive Map)
Spatial coordinates
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N: 67.0
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S: -60.0
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E: 20.0
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W: -100.0
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Data Resolution
Latitude Resolution:
regional (1/3, 1/15 degrees), global (2 degrees)
Longitude Resolution:
regional (1/3, 1/15 degrees), global (2 degrees)
Vertical Resolution:
regional (43 vertical levels), global (31 vertical levels)
Temporal Resolution:
daily, weekly
Quality
ATTRIBUTE ACCURACY REPORT: Not provided
LOGICAL CONSISTENCY REPORT: Unknown
COMPLETENESS REPORT: Completeness information not available.
LINEAGE/PROCESS STEP:
PROCESS DESCRIPTION: Unknown
PROCESS DATE: Unknown
Access Constraints
ACCESS CONSTRAINTS: None
DISTRIBUTION LIABILITY: Every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of current NOAA quality control procedures. NOAA can only certify that the data provided to its customers is an authentic copy of the records which were accepted for inclusion in NOAA archives. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.
Use Constraints
None
Data Set Progress
IN WORK
Personnel
Role:
TECHNICAL CONTACT
Role:
DIF AUTHOR
Phone:
(865) 574-7447
Email:
uso at daac.ornl.gov
Contact Address:
ORNL DAAC User Services Office
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
City:
Oak Ridge
Province or State:
TN
Postal Code:
37831-6407
Country:
USA
Extended Metadata Properties
(Click to view more)
Creation and Review Dates
DIF Creation Date:
2005-09-12
Last DIF Revision Date:
2012-05-17
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