Gravimetric time series recording at the Argentine Antarctic stations Belgrano II and San Martín for the improvement of ocean tide models

Abstract

As a joint project, the Instituto Antártico Argentino (IAA) and TU Dresden (TUD) carried out gravimetric time series recordings at the Argentine Antarctic stations Belgrano II and San Martín. At both stations gravimetric data were recorded for about 1 year, using LaCoste&Romberg gravity meters. At Belgrano II the observations were carried out from February to November 2007, and at San Martín from February 2008 to January 2009. The set-up of the gravimetric stations and the instrumentation utilized are shown. We discuss and compare the data gained at the two stations as well as the analyses in order to solve for the tidal constituents. Generally, tidal gravimetry has the potential to provide independent data to validate and to improve ocean tide models at the Antarctic seas, especially since in-situ data to be used for the establishment of the models are sparse and satellite altimetry has limitations in high latitudes and over ice-covered regions. We discuss the feasibility of the obtained data to pursue this goal of an improvement of ocean tide models. Finally, an outlook for further investigations is given. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012.