Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1450
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1450
23 Dec 2022
 | 23 Dec 2022

A robust framework for comparing Lagrangian and gridded Eulerian velocity fields: an example application to surface drifters and altimetry-derived surface currents

Arthur Coquereau and Nicholas P. Foukal

Abstract. A novel framework for comparing Lagrangian and gridded Eulerian velocity fields is proposed. The method involves three steps that individually leverage the strengths of each reference frame to provide robust intercomparisons, while also allowing the user to adapt the individual steps to the process of interest. The utility of the methodology is then demonstrated by applying it to a comparison between a set of 34 Lagrangian surface drifters deployed on the continental shelf around the southern tip of Greenland and Eulerian altimetry-derived surface currents with and without Ekman velocities. We conclude that the methodology sufficiently addresses differences between the reference frames and accurately identifies errors when they exist. This result enables us to conclude that the altimetry-derived surface currents accurately resolve the important components of the shelf circulation around the southern tip of Greenland and can be used to track pathways of fresh water around Greenland.

Arthur Coquereau and Nicholas P. Foukal

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1450', Anonymous Referee #1, 09 Feb 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1450', Anonymous Referee #2, 06 Apr 2023

Arthur Coquereau and Nicholas P. Foukal

Data sets

Global Ocean Gridded L4 Sea Surface Heights And Derived Variables Nrt EU Copernicus Marine Service https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00149

Global Total Surface and 15m Current (COPERNICUS-GLOBCURRENT) from Altimetric Geostrophic Current and Modeled Ekman Current Processing EU Copernicus Marine Service https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00049

Arctic Ocean Physics Analysis and Forecast Sakov, P., Counillon, F., Bertino, L., Lisæter, K. A., Oke, P. R. and Korablev, A. https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00001

Global Drifter Program quality-controlled 6-hour interpolated data Lumpkin, R. and Centurioni, L. https://doi.org/10.25921/7ntx-z961

Global Ocean Gridded L 4 Sea Surface Heights And Derived Variables Reprocessed 1993 Ongoing EU Copernicus Marine Service https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00148

Global Total Surface and 15m Current (COPERNICUS-GLOBCURRENT) from Altimetric Geostrophic Current and Modeled Ekman 440 Current Reprocessing EU Copernicus Marine Service https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00050

Arthur Coquereau and Nicholas P. Foukal

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Short summary
We present a new framework to compare velocities measured from the two possibles reference frames: at fixed geographic locations called Eulerian or following water parcels called Lagrangian. We then demonstrate the interest of using the methodology with an example around the southern tip of Greenland with data from the two reference frames: a set of surface drifters (Lagrangian) and currents measured by satellite (Eulerian).