Marine Boundary Layer Height Obtained by New Numerical Regularization Method Based on GPS Radio Occultation Data

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric Science
• Oceanography
• Climate Science

Background:

• The boundary layer height (BLH) is crucial for atmospheric modeling, aerosol studies, and environmental pollution research.
• Understanding the marine boundary layer height (MBLH) is vital for accurate climate simulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and apply a novel method for analyzing marine boundary layer height (MBLH) climate characteristics.
• To investigate the relationship between MBLH and ocean currents using GPS-RO data.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 2007-2011 GPS-Radio Occultation (GPS-RO) data from the COSMIC mission.
• Employed a novel numerical regularization method to determine MBLH from the smallest atmospheric gradient.
• Validated results using atmprf and echprf occultation data.

Main Results:

• Established a novel correlation between MBLH and prevailing ocean currents: low MBLH with cold currents/seasons, high MBLH with warm currents/seasons.
• Standard deviation analysis indicated higher MBLH confidence in middle/high latitudes compared to low latitudes.
• Interannual MBLH variations showed significant seasonal patterns linked to ocean currents and subsolar point position.

Conclusions:

• The novel method provides reliable MBLH climate characteristics, revealing its connection to oceanographic conditions.
• MBLH exhibits distinct seasonal and interannual changes, with a notable decline observed in the South China Sea case study.
• The findings enhance our understanding of marine boundary layer dynamics and their influence on climate.