Three-Dimensional Thermohaline Structure Reconstruction in the Northwest Pacific Ocean from HY-2 Satellite Data Based on a Variational Method

Abstract In this study, a variational method was used to reconstruct three-dimensional thermohaline fields in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. First, we evaluate the applicability of HY-2 satellite data in three-dimensional thermohaline fields reconstructions, and it confirms that the HY-2 data are reliable. A comparison with the forecast products of operational system shows the reconstructions can describe the structural characteristics of the ocean three-dimensional thermohaline fields and reflect the mesoscale change process of the ocean.