Using a 1-D model to reproduce diurnal SST signals

The diurnal variability of SST has been extensively studied as it poses challenges for validating and calibrating satellite sensors, merging SST time series, oceanic and atmospheric modelling. As heat is significantly trapped close to the surface, the diurnal signal’s maximum amplitude is best captured by radiometers. The availability of infra-red retrievals from a geostationary orbit allows the hourly monitoring of the diurnal SST evolution. When infra-red SSTs are validated with in situ measurements a general mismatch is found, associated with the different reference depth of each type of measurement. A generally preferred approach to bridge the gap between in situ and remotely obtained measurements is through modelling of the upper ocean temperature. This ESA supported study focuses on the implementation of the 1 dimensional General Ocean Turbulence Model (GOTM), in order to resolve the diurnal signals identified from SEVIRI SSTs and in situ measurements. GOTM is a model solving the basic hydrodynamic and thermodynamic processes related to vertical mixing in the water column. From previous analysis it was shown that the data used to initialise the model, especially the temperature profiles, along with the selection of the coefficients for the 2-band parametrisation of light’s penetration in the water column, hold a key role in the agreement of the modelled output with observations. To improve the surface heat budget and the distribution of heat, the code was modified to include an additional parametrisation for the total outgoing long-wave radiation and a 9-band parametrisation for the light extinction. New parametrisations for the stability functions, associated with vertical mixing, have been included. GOTM is tested using experimental data from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Upper Ocean Processes Group archive. The successful implementation of the new parametrisations is verified while the model reproduces the diurnal signals seen from in situ measurements. Special focus is given to testing and validation of different set-ups using campaign data from the Atlantic Ocean, to establish a model set-up applicable to different regions.