Remote sensing of the marine mixed layer

Abstract

Mixed layer depth (MLD) has been estimated from Geosat derived sea level alone in the equatorial Indian Ocean with an accuracy of 16 m. Since parameters like net heat gain at the ocean surface, wind speed, sea level etc, also dominantly affect the changes in MLD, the effectiveness of these parameters are examined. The incorporation of net heat gain in the multiple regression model did not improve the MLD estimation significantly. MLD in Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal has been estimated from Geosat sea level and ECMWF analysed wind fields with an accuracy of 20 m.