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Mixed Layer Depth Comparisons

The carbon model requires mixed layer depth (MLD) as an input variable. It is essential that the best estimation of MLD be used as input. These pages describe the rationale for selection of a final input set for processing.

FNMOC Summary

At this point, we now have a patchwork of mld estimates from FNMOC, which are given in order of preference:

  1. high res mld
  2. NCODA/TOPS ild
  3. OTIS mld
  4. OTIS/TOPS ild
  5. NCODA mld

And, given this set, we could construct a time line of mld files to use:

  • 09.1997 - 04.2000: OTIS mld
  • 04.2000 - 08.2002: OTIS/TOPS ild
  • 09.2002 - 09.2004: OTIS mld
  • 10.2004 - 05.2005: NCODA/TOPS ild
  • 06.2005 - 12.2005: high res mld

The reversion back to the OTIS/TOPS ild files is a result of the corrupted salinity data in the OTIS archives, and leads to some concern about the consistency and quality of the mld timeline. Also, the OTIS global ocean model is certainly of lesser quality than the high res model, and it would be good if an alternate, higher quality model could be used in that time period. We look at one possibility on the next page.

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last updated: November 15, 2006