Satellite-based ocean surface turbulent fluxes

Abstract

Ocean surface turbulent fluxes of momentum, heat, and water vapor respond to and determine the coupling between the atmosphere and the ocean and are excellent indicators of air-sea interactions at most temporal and spatial scales. These fluxes can be determined from bulk properties at the sea surface. By combining satellite observations of bulk properties such as sea surface temperature, wind, and humidity, estimates of these fluxes are available globally. The bulk aerodynamic formulations of these fluxes are first reviewed. Satellite retrieval techniques of these bulk properties and operational or semi-operational ocean surface flux products such as the Hamburg Ocean Atmosphere Parameters and Fluxes from Satellite Observations (HOAPS), the Japanese Oceanic Fluxes with the Use of Remote Observations (J-OFURO), and the US NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Satellite-Based Sea Surface Turbulent Fluxes (GSSTF), as well as merged approach of the Objectively Analyzed Air-Sea Fluxes for the global ocean (OAFlux) are described, and their error and uncertainties are briefly discussed.