Application of Continuous Data Assimilation in High-Resolution Ocean Modeling

TL;DR

This paper applies the Azouani-Olson-Titi data assimilation algorithm to high-resolution ocean models with realistic features, showing rapid error decay and highlighting challenges like the vertical mixing term.

Contribution

It demonstrates the implementation of the AOT algorithm in a realistic, high-resolution ocean model and analyzes its performance and challenges.

Findings

Error decays exponentially before reaching a certain level

Implicit scheme generally yields lower errors

Vertical mixing term is particularly problematic

Abstract

We demonstrate a formulation of the Azouani-Olson-Titi (AOT) algorithm in the MPAS-Ocean implementation of the primitive equations of the ocean, presenting global ocean simulations with realistic coastlines and bathymetry. We observe an exponentially fast decay in the error before reaching a certain error level, which depends on the terms involved and whether the AOT feedback control term was handled implicitly or explicitly. A wide range of errors was observed for both schemes, with the implicit scheme typically exhibiting lower error levels, depending on the specific physical terms included in the model. Several factors seem to be contributing to this wide range, but the vertical mixing term is demonstrated to be an especially problematic term. This study provides insight into the promises and challenges of adapting the AOT algorithm to the setting of high-resolution, realistic ocean models.