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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's MLD Values
The original paper used FNMOC's MLD output from their TOPS model.
These monthly fields are shown below.
If you look over the images,
you will see a change in character starting in October 2004.
Before October, 2004, the TOPS model used the upper 400 meters of the OTIS
global circulation model,
but starting in October of 2004 the OTIS model was replaced with
a data assimilation model (NCODA).
FNMOC is primarily tasked to provide atmospheric products.
TOPS stands for "Thermal Ocean Prediction Model",
and it provides data for the base of their atmospheric models
(mainly temperature, moisture, and momentum flux).
The MLD values provided from this model reflects this interest,
as it is a thermal mixed layer depth,
ie, it is what is normally called an isothermal layer depth (a layer of
constant temperature) rather than a mixed layer depth
(a layer of constant density).
The definition of the TOPS "MLD" is the depth at which there is a 0.5 degree
decrease in temperature from the value at the surface ...
it really is an isothermal layer depth (ILD).
In general, ILD can be used to approximate MLD in mid latitudes,
but it tends to fall apart in the high latitudes,
in particular in the Southern Ocean
and in the North Pacific.
A comparison between the two fields done by the Naval Research Lab (NRL)
illustrates this in general.
depths range from 0 to 400 m
shallow values are in the blues, deep values go to reds
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1998
January
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TOPS mld
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1998
February
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1998
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1998
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1998
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1998
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1998
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1998
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1998
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1998
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1998
November
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TOPS mld
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1998
December
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TOPS mld
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1999
January
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TOPS mld
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1999
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1999
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TOPS mld
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1999
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1999
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1999
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1999
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1999
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1999
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1999
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1999
November
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TOPS mld
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1999
December
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TOPS mld
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2000
January
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TOPS mld
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2000
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TOPS mld
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2000
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TOPS mld
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2000
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2000
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2000
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2000
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2000
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2000
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2000
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2001
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2001
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2001
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2002
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2002
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2002
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2002
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2003
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2004
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2005
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2005
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2006
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