Synergic use of altimeter and model sea level data in inner and coastal seas

• Published in: Remote sensing of environment Vol. 261; p. 112500
• Main Authors: Cavaleri, Luigi, Bertotti, Luciana, Ferrarin, Christian, Passaro, Marcello, Pezzutto, Paolo, Pomaro, Angela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Elsevier Inc 01-08-2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Altimeters; Altimetry; Coastal environments; Coastal water altimetry; Coastal waters; Geophysical variability; Missions; Model and altimetry data comparison; Physics of coastal processes; Sea level; Synergy between altimeter and model data; Synthetic aperture radar; Physics of coastal processes; Coastal water altimetry; Geophysical variability; Synergy between altimeter and model data; Model and altimetry data comparison
• ISSN: 0034-4257; 1879-0704
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2021.112500

We analyse high rate (20 Hz) altimeter derived sea level information, both from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) altimetry missions and Low Resolution Mode missions, in an inner sea and coastal environment. They are compared versus measured and high resolution model data. After a compact description of the relevant physical processes affecting the local sea level values, we focus on three specific passes on the Adriatic Sea, East of Italy. Our main finding is that altimeters and models provide both valuable, partially overlapping, but complementary, information to be exploited in parallel with a double purpose: to progressively approach the truth and to ensure the parallel improvement of both sources. From altimeter data there is a very strong suggestion that the spatial, and implicitly temporal, variability of the fields is much higher than shown by models. The reasons are discussed.
•Much work is still needed to get reliable detailed altimeter data close to coast.•High resolution wave and sea level models offer know-how for further improvement.•Model limitations may be associated to wind speed when blowing off the coast.•Altimeters profiles show more articulated surface distribution than models.•The synergic use of altimeter and model data is essential for further improvement.