Evaluation of Satellite SST Data Using in situ Skin SST Measurements

English Abstract:

Sea Surface temperature (SST) is an essential indicator for climate change. High accuracy and stability of the satellite SST products are required for long-term climate data records of global SST. It is important to routinely collect in situ SST measurements for the evaluation and improvement of the quality of satellite SST products. The infrared SST autonomous radiometer (ISAR), made by the University of Southampton, has been deployed on the research vessel Dong Fang Hong II of Ocean University of China since September 2009. The ISAR designed with an accuracy of 0.1 K was calibrated at National Physical Laboratory, UK, in June 2009, through the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) comparison of Infrared radiometry in support of satellite calibration and validation for measuring SST for studies of climate change. The R/V Dong Fang Hong II operates mainly in the China Seas including Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea, for about 300 days per year. The skin SST measurements were collected during 33 cruises in the China Seas from 2009 to 2013. The satellite SST products are compared with shipboard measurements of skin SST. The results will be presented and discussed.