USING DYNAMIC TOPOGRAPHY TO ASSESS THE QUASI STATIONARY CIRCULATION IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC

The data available from Argo profiling buoys and satellite altimetry are combined into Inverse Finite Element Ocean model for each of the years 2003 to 2006. The model solves for temperature and salinity fields that are close to Argo, respect quasi-stationary dynamical balances, and simultaneously produces estimates of the circulation. The experiments with and without MADT (seal level anomaly + Rio05) included into IFEOM as a weak constraint have been carried out. Variability of the North Atlantic Ocean circulation is further compared to the tide gauge measurements. We show that including altimetry improves the circulation patterns.