Impacts of the Assimilation of Satellite Sea Surface Temperature Data on Volume and Heat Budget Estimates for the North Sea

Mechanisms controlling the heat budget of North Sea are investigated based on a combination satellite sea surface temperature measurements and numerical model simulations. Lateral fluxes across shelf edge into Baltic as well vertical ocean-atmosphere exchange considered. A 3-D variational (3DVAR) data assimilation (DA) scheme is applied, which contains assumed error correlations that depend mixed layer depth derived from coupled circulation/ocean wave model. The analysis balances pressure gradients introduced by modifications. Significant hydrodynamic response to DA was found, should be considered in estimations. observed change current velocity field decreases lateral advective volume/heat exchanges between Atlantic, yielding an increased flux Atlantic more atmosphere. largest impact transport Norwegian Channel, where dominant process Eulerian transport, followed tidal pumping wind pumping. Further reveals acceleration along-shelf at northern Sea, decrease horizontal gradient reduction outward Sea. Furthermore, coupling circulation has significant impacts advection run, due depth.