Remote sensing of ocean and sea ice parameters#
This page summarizes the on-going activities at IGE related to ocean and sea ice remote sensing, with a focus on estimating ocean surface circulation and sea ice parameters from space. These activities leverage a variety of sensors, with a strong emphasis on satellite altimetry, and involve contributions from the OPERA, MeOcean, and CRYODYN research groups at IGE.
Collaborations#
Research is conducted in collaboration with Datlas (Grenoble), CLS (Toulouse), ODL (Brest), LOPS (Brest), LEGOS (Toulouse), and ODYSSEY (Brest/Rennes).
Key Activities#
1. Dense Mapping of Sea Surface Heights#
Production of high-resolution maps of sea surface heights from altimeter data is a primary focus, with the aim of improving the DUACS L4 data product (DUACS), particularly in the context of the SWOT mission.
Algorithmic research includes the development of open benchmarks (Ocean Data Challenges) to compare algorithms in a controlled environment with shared data and metrics. Methodologies employed include machine learning, differentiable programming, and synergies with other sensors such as SST and ocean color.
Recent advancements in this area involve accounting for internal waves and high-frequency signals in mapping, as well as extending mapping toward short-term forecasting of ocean surface properties.
2. Observability and Observation System Design#
The team focuses on mission design, assessing the impact of orbital choices and sensor precision for new missions. Physics-based modeling is a key component, utilizing ocean and sea ice models and OSSE/OSE experiments, such as those conducted for the SWOT mission with km-scale resolution models.
Current efforts are directed toward preparing future missions for observing ocean surface currents from space. Recent activities include combining satellite sensors and in-situ networks (e.g., ARGO, drifters) to estimate the 3D ocean state at km-scale resolution, as well as leveraging generative AI for enhanced data analysis.
3. Sea Ice Parameters#
There is a growing collaboration with Datlas (Grenoble) to retrieve ocean parameters such as sea ice thickness and produce L4 mapping products from a variety of sensors.
Data Access#
Data portals and tools for ocean and sea ice remote sensing include:
ODATIS Data Portal: https://www.odatis-ocean.fr
CNES AVISO Portal: https://aviso-data-center.cnes.fr/
SWOT Data Tools: SWOT-community
Sea Ice Parameters: https://osi-saf.eumetsat.int
Cloud Exploration#
Ongoing efforts are being made to integrate cloud-based solutions for data processing and analysis.
People Involved#
People Involved
Name |
Position |
Team |
Building |
Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
P. Brasseur |
Researcher |
MeOcean |
MCP |
Observability, OSSE, ocean color |
V. Bertrand |
Engineer |
PING |
MCP |
Wide-swath altimetry, applied statistics |
E. Cosme |
Faculty |
OPERA |
MCP |
Wide-swath altimetry, state estimation |
A. Durif |
PhD Student |
OPERA |
MCP |
Ocean, state estimation |
J. Le Sommer |
Researcher |
OPERA |
MCP |
Wide-swath altimetry, ocean circulation |
P. Rampal |
Researcher |
CRYODYN |
MCP |
Polar missions, altimetry, sea ice |
T. Penduff |
Researcher |
MeOcean |
MCP |
Altimetry, ocean circulation |