On the effects of the atmospheric correction of the GRACE measurements for studies of oceanography

Abstract

The forthcoming Gravity Recovery and Climate Experience (GRACE) gravity satellite will detect seasonal variations of the gravity field with very high accuracy. Seasonal variations of the mass redistribution would be useful data for several disciplines of geophysics and geodesy, if the seasonal mass variation could be unequivocally separated into its originating components. Seasonal mass variations are mainly provided by the atmosphere, oceans and hydrological processes. The main objective of this study is to analyze the effect of these fluids and/or the processes on the total gravity, focusing on the atmosphere, on the effect of atmospheric correction for studies of oceanography, in order to make use of the highly accurate measurements expected from the GRACE. The study found that a state-of-the-art marine geoid cannot be determined without considering the atmospheric mass redistribution, its effect on the ocean and the ocean´s response to the atmospheric variation.