Satellite Altimetry for Ocean and Coastal Applications: A Review

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This manuscript provides a review on satellite altimetry for ocean and coastal applications, which will communicate and illustrate the value of these missions to decision makers and scientific and operational organizations. Some comments on the present manuscript are as follows.

 1. For the title, "a review" is suggested to be added in the title. "Satellite Altimetry for Ocean and Coastal Applications: A Review".

 2. Abstract: The abstract is suggested to be further revised and improved to highlight the main content and contributions of this manuscript.

 3. At the end of the first section"1. Introduction", it is suggested to add some introductions on the main content and logical structure of the following sections.

 4. It is suggested to add more discussions on the current existing problems and limitations on satellite altimetry.

 5. Section 6. Conclusions: It is suggested to further summarize the contents of the manuscript in a more systematic manner. 

6. Line 521："from combining combining mission data". Here, "combining" appears twice with repetition.

Minor editing of English language required.

Author Response

Thank you for your thoughtful and thorough comments. These suggestions have certainly improved the flow, content and value of the information conveyed in the manuscript. Here is a point-by-point response;

1. For the title, "a review" is suggested to be added in the title. "Satellite Altimetry for Ocean and Coastal Applications: A Review".
   • We have modified the title as suggested to make it more clear that this is a review paper.
2. Abstract: The abstract is suggested to be further revised and improved to highlight the main content and contributions of this manuscript.
   • We have modified the abstract to provide more context and with focus on the main content and contributions of the paper.
3. At the end of the first section"1. Introduction", it is suggested to add some introductions on the main content and logical structure of the following sections.
   • We have extended the Introductions section and now include information about the content and structure of the sections in the paper that follow.
4. It is suggested to add more discussions on the current existing problems and limitations on satellite altimetry.
   • We have added additional discussion on these topics, with references, to the Conclusions
5. Section 6. Conclusions: It is suggested to further summarize the contents of the manuscript in a more systematic manner. 
   • We have restructured and more systematically supplemented theConclusions with summarizing information about the paper.
6. Line 521："from combining combining mission data". Here, "combining" appears twice with repetition.
   • This has been corrected.

Comments on the Quality of English Language. Minor editing of English language required.

• We have reviewed the full text and corrected poor or inadequate English language issues.

Reviewer 2 Report

The article is a review article and it does not base on experimental study. However it provides a comprehensive look to the current place of satellite altimetry technique with examples from the application areas. The content of the article is sufficient and it is provided in a good organization. I may suggest to extent the examples with the role of satellite altimetry in precise determination of global geoid and height system unification studies, because these studies are also important from geodetic applications point of view. I suggest it's publication because it contributes well into the literature for emphasizing the important place of satellite altimetry in applications.

Author Response

Thank you for your review and assessment of our manuscript. We appreciate the comments and suggestion. With regards to the comment, "I may suggest to extent the examples with the role of satellite altimetry in precise determination of global geoid and height system unification studies, because these studies are also important from geodetic applications point of view."

• Discussion of geodetic applications that are more practical and operational can be found in new section 5.6.2 in "Additional Applications".

Reviewer 3 Report

The presented review is in principle complete and exhaustive, however an important section concerning the detection of tsunamis by means of satellite altimetry is missing and should be included.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Thank you for your review, summary and helpful suggestion for our manuscript. With regards to your comment, "...an important section concerning the detection of tsunamis by means of satellite altimetry is missing and should be included." -- 

• We have added discussion of some practical/operational applications of tsunami work along with references in new section 5.6.1 in "Additional Applications".

Reviewer 4 Report

This is good review paper.  It covers current and previous Altimetry missions and briefs the sea level measurement applications in different area, such as weather and climate forecasting, flood mapping, fisheries and operational oceanography. Since this is a review paper, it focuses on "communicate and illustrate the value of these missions to decision makers and scientific and operational organizations". The authors put emphasis on these points and used numerous references to illustrate.  The scientific logic is sound and the writing is concise.  The figures are mostly cited from publicly available sources and the quality looks good. I did not see inappropriate citations.  I recommend it for publication at this special issue of Remote Sensing. 

Author Response

Thank you for your review and assessment of our manuscript. We appreciate the thoughtful and thorough comments.