Abstract

Data assembly and processing centers are essential elements of the operational oceanography infrastructure. They provide data and products needed by modeling and data assimilation systems; they also provide products directly usable for applications. This paper discusses the role and functions of the data centers for operational oceanography. It describes some of the main data assembly centers (Argo and in situ data, altimetry, sea surface temperature) developed during the Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment. An overview of other data centers (wind and fluxes, ocean color, sea ice) is also given. Much progress has been achieved over the past 10 years to validate, intercalibrate, and merge altimeter data from multiple satellites. Accuracy and timeliness of products have been improved, and new products have been developed. The same is true for sea surface temperature data through the Global High-Resolution Sea Surface Temperature Pilot Project. A breakthrough in processing, quality control, and assembly for in situ data has also been achieved through the development of the real-time and delayed-mode Argo data system. In situ and remote-sensing data are now systematically and jointly used to calibrate, validate, and monitor over the long term the quality and consistency of the global ocean observing system. Main results are illustrated. There is also a review of the development and use of products that merge in situ and remote-sensing data. Future issues and main prospects are discussed in the conclusion.

Highlights

  • Second are delayed-mode data that are subject to greater quality control; these data are valuable for reanalysis work and to assist seasonal forecasting and climate monitoring and prediction where long-term stability is essential

  • The review is far from being exhaustive; rather, we focus on a few Pierre-Yves Le Traon is Program Director, Operational Oceanography Systems, Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer (Ifremer), Centre de Brest, Plouzané, France

  • “Operational oceanography critically depends on the near-real-time availability of high-quality in situ and satellite data with a sufficiently dense spatial and maps are produced from all available satellites

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Summary

Introduction

More timely data delivery, improvements in data quality, better characterization of data errors, and development of new or high-level data products are among the key data processing needs for operational oceanography. It aims to provide directly usable, high-quality, near-real-time and delayed-mode (for reanalyses and research users) altimeter products to the main operational oceanography and climate centers in Europe and worldwide.

Results
Conclusion
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