Feature-oriented reconstruction of vertical temperature profile: A feasibility study in the Northwest Pacific Ocean

Abstract

The Northwest Pacific is an area rich in oceanic frontal system that influences regional circulation patterns, heat transport, and biogeochemical processes. Understanding the three-dimensional thermal structure of the western subarctic front is essential for studying its dynamics and climate implications. In this study, we developed an empirical feature model to reconstruct the thermal structure of ocean fronts using satellite observations and ARMOR3D product which assimilates Argo data. The model established an empirical relationship between temperature profiles and the front centerline, as well as the temperature difference across the centerline. The reconstructed temperature profiles agree well relative to the validation dataset with a mean bias smaller than 0.5◦C from the sea surface down to 1000 m, demonstrating the model's reliability. This research offers a methodology for reconstructing the three-dimensional thermal structure of oceanic fronts, providing insights into further studies related to the intrinsic features of ocean fronts.