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Lagrangian ocean analysis: fundamentals and practices
van Sebille, E.; Griffies, S.M.; Abernathey, R.; Adams, T.P.; Berloff, P.; Biastoch, A.; Blanke, B.; Chassignet, E.P.; Cheng, Y.; Cotter, C.J.; Deleersnijder, E.; Döös, K.; Drake, H.F.; Drijfhout, S.; Gary, S.F.; Heemink, A.W.; Kjellsson, J.; Koszalka, I.M.; Lange, M.; Lique, C.; MacGilchrist, G.A.; Marsh, R.; Adame, C.G.M.; McAdam, R.; Nencioli, F.; Paris, C.B.; Piggott, M.D.; Polton, J.A.; Rühs, S.; Shah, S.H.A.M.; Thomas, M.D.; Wang, J.; Wolfram, P.J.; Zanna, L.; Zika, J.D. (2018). Lagrangian ocean analysis: fundamentals and practices. Ocean Modelling 121: 49-75. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2017.11.008
In: Ocean Modelling. Elsevier: Oxford. ISSN 1463-5003; e-ISSN 1463-5011, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Ocean circulation; Lagrangian analysis; Connectivity; Particle tracking;Future modelling

Authors  Top 
  • van Sebille, E.
  • Griffies, S.M.
  • Abernathey, R.
  • Adams, T.P.
  • Berloff, P.
  • Biastoch, A.
  • Blanke, B.
  • Chassignet, E.P.
  • Cheng, Y.
  • Cotter, C.J.
  • Deleersnijder, E., more
  • Döös, K.
  • Drake, H.F.
  • Drijfhout, S.
  • Gary, S.F.
  • Heemink, A.W.
  • Kjellsson, J.
  • Koszalka, I.M.
  • Lange, M.
  • Lique, C.
  • MacGilchrist, G.A.
  • Marsh, R.
  • Adame, C.G.M.
  • McAdam, R.
  • Nencioli, F.
  • Paris, C.B.
  • Piggott, M.D.
  • Polton, J.A.
  • Rühs, S.
  • Shah, S.H.A.M.
  • Thomas, M.D.
  • Wang, J.
  • Wolfram, P.J.
  • Zanna, L.
  • Zika, J.D.

Abstract
    Lagrangian analysis is a powerful way to analyse the output of ocean circulation models and other ocean velocity data such as from altimetry. In the Lagrangian approach, large sets of virtual particles are integrated within the three-dimensional, time-evolving velocity fields. Over several decades, a variety of tools and methods for this purpose have emerged. Here, we review the state of the art in the field of Lagrangian analysis of ocean velocity data, starting from a fundamental kinematic framework and with a focus on large-scale open ocean applications. Beyond the use of explicit velocity fields, we consider the influence of unresolved physics and dynamics on particle trajectories. We comprehensively list and discuss the tools currently available for tracking virtual particles. We then showcase some of the innovative applications of trajectory data, and conclude with some open questions and an outlook. The overall goal of this review paper is to reconcile some of the different techniques and methods in Lagrangian ocean analysis, while recognising the rich diversity of codes that have and continue to emerge, and the challenges of the coming age of petascale computing.

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