《MIxed Layer data set of Argo, Grid》.pdfVIP

MIxed Layer data set of Argo, Grid Point Value: MILA GPV Ver. 2014.04.11 Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) Introduction JAMSTEC produces a global data set of gridded mixed layer depth (MLD) using Argo temperature and salinity profiles, named “MILA GPV (Mixed Layer data set of Argo, Grid Point Value)”. Since quality of the profile data which covered fully in the ice-free global ocean is high and uniform and vertical resolution of the profiles is fine (at least 5 dbar in the surface layer), error of MLD is expected to be smaller. Although the coverage of Argo float array was not so good in the earlier stage of Argo project, observing floats almost covered in the World Ocean after 2004. The Argo quality controlled profile data (real time QC and/or delayed mode QC) is obtained from Argo Global Data Archive Center (GDAC). For the obtained data, further quality control is carried out to avoid including inappropriate profile data. To make MLD data set, the finite difference method is used based on sea surface temperature and sea surface potential density. Among the values in the difference of temperature and potential density, mixed layer is chosen with the minimum value between the two values. Two pairs of the temperature and potential density criteria are applied, which are generally used in a lot of researches. The grid point value of MLD is calculated using a median after estimated MLD for individual profiles. Users can use the two data set for their aim of research. Method Before estimating MLD, quality controls are carried out for Argo profile data which are quality controlled real time and/or delayed mode data. The quality controls are 1) to check temperature and density inversion, 2) to confirm existence of