nasa research priorities scientific scientific ... - aquarius · nasa research priorities...
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NASA RESEARCH PRIORITIESNASA RESEARCH PRIORITIES SCIENTIFIC RETURNSCIENTIFIC RETURN
Aquarius Science Goal – To understand the regional and global processesthat couple changes in the water cycle and ocean circulation and influence
present and future climate.
Aquarius Science Goal – To understand the regional and global processesthat couple changes in the water cycle and ocean circulation and influence
present and future climate.
Science Objectives:Seasonal cycle & year-to-yearvariabilityDiscovery & Exploration Salinity mapping of unmeasuredregions & features unknown to scienceWater CycleSalinity response to surface water fluxesOcean Circulation & Climate• Tropics Climate feedback processes,El Niño, La Niña• Mid-Latitudes Subduction andmode water formation• High-Latitudes Deep waterformation processes
Science Objectives:Seasonal cycle & year-to-yearvariabilityDiscovery & Exploration Salinity mapping of unmeasuredregions & features unknown to scienceWater CycleSalinity response to surface water fluxesOcean Circulation & Climate• Tropics Climate feedback processes,El Niño, La Niña• Mid-Latitudes Subduction andmode water formation• High-Latitudes Deep waterformation processes
Aquarius Measurement Objectives:Resolve key ocean and climate
phenomena at 100 km and larger spatialscales, monthly and longer time scales.
Aquarius Measurement Objectives:Resolve key ocean and climate
phenomena at 100 km and larger spatialscales, monthly and longer time scales.
Earth System Variability &Trends: How are global
precipitation, evaporation, and thecycling of water changing?
Earth System Variability &Trends: How are global
precipitation, evaporation, and thecycling of water changing?
Earth System Responses & FeedbackProcesses: How can climate variations
induce changes in the global oceancirculation?
Earth System Responses & FeedbackProcesses: How can climate variations
induce changes in the global oceancirculation?
Global Water CyclePrecipitationEvaporation
Ice Freeze/MeltLand Runoff
Global Water CyclePrecipitationEvaporation
Ice Freeze/MeltLand Runoff
ChangeChange
Water FluxWater Flux SeawaterDensity
SeawaterDensity
ImpactImpact
Ocean CirculationSurface HeightBarrier Layers
El Niño/La NiñaThermohaline Flow
Ocean CirculationSurface HeightBarrier Layers
El Niño/La NiñaThermohaline Flow
Changes in global oceancirculation and heat transporthave lasting climate impact
Changes in global oceancirculation and heat transporthave lasting climate impact
86% of evaporation & 78% of precipitation occurover the ocean, dominating
the water cycle
86% of evaporation & 78% of precipitation occurover the ocean, dominating
the water cycle
Aquarius Salinity Measurements Will Provide the Missing Parameter thatLinks Two Major Climate System Components:
Aquarius Salinity Measurements Will Provide the Missing Parameter thatLinks Two Major Climate System Components:
AquariusSea Surface
Salinity (SSS)
• Salinity responds to changes in the surface water fluxes and, in turn, alters thesurface density field that drives ocean currents• Observing ocean salinity is the only way to measure how water cycle changeseffect the ocean & its circulation
• Salinity responds to changes in the surface water fluxes and, in turn, alters thesurface density field that drives ocean currents• Observing ocean salinity is the only way to measure how water cycle changeseffect the ocean & its circulation
Measured in practical salinity units (PSU)
Aquarius will show details ofglobal SSS variability, shown withthis March-April-May map froman ocean model. Compare with
lower map that shows allhistorical data for March-April-
May.
Aquarius will show details ofglobal SSS variability, shown withthis March-April-May map froman ocean model. Compare with
lower map that shows allhistorical data for March-April-
May.
Aquarius will aidunderstanding of:
•Seasonal cycle & mixing inclimate models
•Salinity transport by currents•Ocean state & freshwaterbudget
•SSS impact on tropical climatemodels & El Niño
•SSS impact on oceansubsurface dynamics
•Ice-ocean interaction•Processes that keep theAtlantic relatively salty
Aquarius will aidunderstanding of:
•Seasonal cycle & mixing inclimate models
•Salinity transport by currents•Ocean state & freshwaterbudget
•SSS impact on tropical climatemodels & El Niño
•SSS impact on oceansubsurface dynamics
•Ice-ocean interaction•Processes that keep theAtlantic relatively salty
Surface salinity is linked tothe water cycle: Mean SSS is
highest where evaporationexceeds precipitation (E-P >0),
and is lowest where there isexcess precipitation, especially
in the tropics
Surface salinity is linked tothe water cycle: Mean SSS is
highest where evaporationexceeds precipitation (E-P >0),
and is lowest where there isexcess precipitation, especially
in the tropics
(PSU)
It’s the right time forAquarius:
•Global array of profilingfloats will follow surfacesalinity and densityresponse at depth
•Aquarius will complete asatellite-based climateobserving system (i.e.,rain, wind, sea level, seasurface temperature)
It’s the right time forAquarius:
•Global array of profilingfloats will follow surfacesalinity and densityresponse at depth
•Aquarius will complete asatellite-based climateobserving system (i.e.,rain, wind, sea level, seasurface temperature)
SSS (PSU)
E - P (m/yr)