Variational Optimization of Observational Locations: Ensemble and Adjoint Approaches

Thorough monitoring of the circulation in the Chukchi Sea and Bering Strait is one of the key prerequisites of the successful long-term forecast of the change of Arctic Ocean conditions. The number of continuously maintained observational platforms is restricted by logistical and political constraints. The configuration of such an observing system should be guided by an objective strategy that optimizes the observing system coverage, design, and the expenses of monitoring. The presented study addresses optimization of system consisting of a limited number of observational platforms with respect to reduction of the uncertainties in monitoring the volume/freshwater/heat transports through a set of key sections in the Chukchi Sea and Bering Strait. Variational algorithms for optimization of observational arrays are verified in the test bed of the set of 4Dvar optimized summer-fall circulations in the Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean. The results of an optimization approach based on low-dimensional ensemble of model solutions is compared against a more conventional algorithm involving application of the tangent linear and adjoint models. Special attention is paid to the computational efficiency and portability of the optimization procedure.