GOCINA is a shared cost project co-funded by the European Commission within the 5th Framework Programme. This project will develop generic tools to enhance ocean analysis using Earth observation data from ENVISAT altimetry and GOCE gravimetry (launched scheduled in 2006). In particular, this project will examine the water mass and heat exchange across the Greenland-Island-Scotland Ridge and will provide an accurate description of the Northern Atlantic. This analysis will give invaluable information on the ocean' role in climate. The project will in particular support the GOCE mission with a set of specific recommendation for integrating GOCE gravimetry in ocean circulation studies and an accurate geoid model for validation purposes. A major task is to determine an accurate geoid in the region between Greenland and Scotland. This new and accurate geoid will be used together with an accurate dedicated mean sea surface to determine the mean dynamic topography and it should improve a better analysis of the ocean circulation and transport through the straits between Greenland and the British islands

CLS tasks:

CLS is involved in different workpackages.

Mean Sea Surface Determination. Under the Danish geodetic institute (KMS) responsibility, CLS is in charge of:

• Analysing existing mean sea surfaces
  
• Compiling satellite altimetry from 1992 up to 2000: Topex/Poséidon, Jason-1, ERS-1/2, Envisat, Geosat and GFO
  
• Determining a high resolution mean sea surface

Mean dynamic topography determination. Under the responsibility of the University of Reading (UREADES), CLS is in charge of:

• Collecting existing mean dynamic topographies and evaluation
  
• Compiling in-situ data (hydrographic data, surface drifters etc…)
  
• Determining a synthetic mean dynamic topography

Assessment and Validation. The Norwegian Mapping Authority Geodetic Institute is responsible for this workpackage in which CLS must realize the following tasks:

• Assess the initial model residuals
  
• Compare the different mean sea surfaces and mean dynamic topographies to in-situ data
  
• Infer error characteristics of the different models

The workpackage Technique integration is leaded by the University of Edimbourg (UEDIN) where CLS participates to the integration in a specific processing of the mean sea surface, the mean dynamic topography and the geoid in order to compute a precise mean dynamic topography.

Otherwise, CLS is responsible for the part called Ocean circulation and transport which objective is to analyse the impact of the mean dynamic topography model on the estimates of the North Atlantic Circulation. In particular, CLS will study:

• Impact on mean transport: two ocean processes will be examined:
  - The water exchanges across the Greenland-Scotland Ridge
  - The topographic steering and the subsequent heat transport at the continental shelf break
  
• Impact on variability: the impact of more precise mean dynamic topography will be determined in term of seasonal to decadal climate prediction.
• Impact of a new mean dynamic topography will be analysed on the forecast capabilities of two operational forecasting systems.

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