Radar altimetry and global climatic change

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest; (United States)

OSTI ID:7184704

Dobson, E B; Monaldo, F M; Porter, D L; Robinson, A R; Kilgus, C C; Goldhirsh, J; Glenn, S M ^[1]

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1. Johns Hopkins Univ., Laurel, MD (United States) Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA (United States) Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, NJ (United States)

The use of satellite radar altimetry for monitoring global climatic variables is examined in the context of the altimeter for the Geosat Follow-On program. The requirements of studying climate and ocean circulation are described for the particular case of the North Atlantic, and the use of spaceborne altimetry is discussed for three measurement types. Altimeters measure sea-surface height and the ice edge to give data on mesoscale variability and circulation, interannual variability, and air-sea interactions. The altimeters for the Geosat program are expected to include orbit-determination systems for removal of the orbital signature and a radiometer for measuring water vapor. The altimeters are expected to be useful in studying ocean circulation and climate, and existing data support in situ measurements. Spaceborne radar altimetry can provide important data for understanding CO[sub 2] uptake, biogeochemical fluxes, and the thermocline conveyor belt. 30 refs.

• OSTI ID: 7184704
• Journal Information: Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest; (United States), Vol. 13:3; ISSN 0270-5214
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARBON DIOXIDE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
CLIMATE MODELS
CLIMATIC CHANGE
ECOLOGY
GLOBAL ASPECTS
WATER
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
GEOCHEMISTRY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
540110*
540120 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)