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Air-Sea Interaction and Climate Variability in the Ocean: Observations and Modeling Based on Remote Sensing Techniques

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A special issue of Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292). This special issue belongs to the section "Ocean Remote Sensing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2025 | Viewed by 12085

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yuhong Zhang

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Guest Editor

State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
Interests: tropical air-sea interactions; global water cycle and ocean dynamics

Dr. Xiaomei Liao

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Guest Editor

College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518061, China
Interests: tropical air-sea interactions; remote sensing of marine ecology

Prof. Dr. Vladimir N. Kudryavtsev

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Guest Editor

Satellite Oceanography Laboratory, Russian State Hydrometeorological University, 195196 St. Petersburg, Russia
Interests: experimental and satellite oceanography; remote sensing; wind waves and wave breaking; small-scale wind waves; wave-wave and wave-current interactions; image and video processing
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The ocean and atmosphere are a complex coupled system, with air- sea interactions occurring on multiple spatial and temporal scales. The study of large-scale sea-air interactions has made remarkable achievements in the last half century. Small- to meso-scale air-sea interactions are current frontier scientific issues that play an important role in heat, water vapor, and momentum fluxes at the sea-air interface. The use of high-resolution observations or model data to study the processes and mechanisms of small- and meso-scale air-sea interactions are expected to deepen the understanding of the global climate system and effectively improve the accuracy of air-sea coupled models and climate models.

Remote sensing observations of the ocean have played a critical role in our understanding of the real ocean and air-sea interaction system and have greatly contributed to the study of global air-sea interactions. The accumulated large number of high-resolution, high-quality remote sensing datasets brings a novel opportunity to break the bottleneck of small- and meso-scale air- sea interaction studies and deepen the understanding of the global climate system. This special issue focus on the air-sea interaction and climate variability in the high-resolution ocean observations and modeling based on remote sensing techniques, aiming to provide new insights and methods in the study of small- and meso-scale sea-air interaction processes and mechanisms.

Nowadays, an increasing amount of high-resolution ocean remote sensing data, including sea surface temperature, salinity, precipitation, winds, sea level height, seawater color, and soon-to-be-realized total currents, provide new opportunities to better understand sea-air interactions and climate variability. This Special Issue calls for innovative research results, methods and models for air- sea interactions and climate change based on remote sensing. Acceptable topics include, but are not limited to, processes, mechanisms, and drivers of regional or global sea-air interactions, model simulation and parameterization schemes, and drivers of climate change, methods and key parameters for improving climate model simulation results, etc.

Dr. Yuhong Zhang
Dr. Xiaomei Liao
Prof. Dr. Vladimir N. Kudryavtsev
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

air-sea interactions
climate variability
oceanic dynamics
small- and meso-scale processes
remote sensing observations
high-resolution modeling

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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17 pages, 15973 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Experimental Investigation of Meter-Level Resolution Radar Measurement at Ka Band in Yellow Sea

by Xiaoxiao Zhang, Xiang Su, Lixia Liu and Zhensen Wu

Remote Sens. 2024, 16(20), 3835; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16203835 - 15 Oct 2024

Viewed by 871

Abstract

The backscatter characteristics of ocean surfaces are of great importance in active marine remote-sensing fields. This paper presents the high spatial and temporal resolution dual co-polarized (VV and HH) and cross-polarized (HV) Ka-band sea-surface backscattering measurements taken from the Yellow Sea research platform at incidence angles ranging from 30° to 50° and in the wind speed range from 5.8 to 8.6 m/s. The experimental results show that the backscattering coefficient in HH polarization is close to (or even surpassing) that in VV polarization within a wind speed range of 7.1 to 8.6 m/s for Ka band under high resolution at medium incidence angles (30°–50°). Further analysis of the 10-ms short-time observation samples found that the sea surface echoes in VV polarization are more sensitive to wave motions, exhibiting more complex scattering characteristics such as multi-peaks and reducing scattering energy, especially at high wind speeds and large incident angles. The Doppler velocity analysis also confirms that rapid ocean wave changes can be detected within a short observation period, especially in VV polarization. The research in this article not only demonstrates the high spatial and temporal resolution capabilities of Ka-band radar for ocean surface observation but also reveals its great potential in interpreting and inversing rapidly evolving marine phenomena. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air-Sea Interaction and Climate Variability in the Ocean: Observations and Modeling Based on Remote Sensing Techniques)

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17 pages, 6251 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Asymmetric Response of the Indonesian Throughflow to Co-Occurring El Niño–Southern Oscillation–Indian Ocean Dipole Events

by Aojie Li, Yongchui Zhang, Mei Hong, Tengfei Xu and Jing Wang

Remote Sens. 2024, 16(18), 3395; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16183395 - 12 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1008

Abstract

The Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) is significantly modulated by Indo-Pacific climate forcing, especially the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). However, when ENSO and IOD occur concurrently, they tend to play different roles in the ITF volume transport. By employing an improved Constructed Circulation Analogue (CCA) method, the relative contributions of these climate events to the ITF inflow and outflow transport in the upper and lower layers were quantified. The results indicate that during co-occurring El Niño and positive IOD events, ENSO is the dominant influence, with ratio values of 5.5:1 (3.5:1) in the upper layer and 1.7:1 (1.6:1) in the lower layer of the inflow (outflow). Conversely, during co-occurring La Niña and negative IOD events, the IOD predominates, with ratio values of 1:6 (1:6.5) in the upper layer and 1:4 (1:3) in the lower layer of the inflow (outflow). The mechanisms underlying these variations in the upper and lower layers can be explained by the differences in sea level anomaly (SLA) and wave propagation, respectively. This study provides a new insight into distinct roles of climate forcing on the ITF volume transport during the simultaneous occurrence of multiple climate modes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air-Sea Interaction and Climate Variability in the Ocean: Observations and Modeling Based on Remote Sensing Techniques)

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19 pages, 3999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Indian Ocean Dipole Modulates the Phytoplankton Size Structure in the Southern Tropical Indian Ocean

by Xiaomei Liao, Yan Li, Weikang Zhan, Qianru Niu and Lin Mu

Remote Sens. 2024, 16(11), 1970; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16111970 - 30 May 2024

Viewed by 846

Abstract

The phytoplankton size structure exerts a significant influence on ecological processes and biogeochemical cycles. In this study, the interannual variations in remotely sensed phytoplankton size structure in the southern Tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) and the underlying physical mechanisms were investigated. Significant interannual fluctuations in phytoplankton size structure occur in the southeastern TIO and central southern TIO and are very sensitive to Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events. During positive IOD events, the southeast wind anomalies reinforce coastal upwelling off of Java and Sumatra, leading to a shift toward a larger phytoplankton structure in the southeastern TIO. The anomalous anticyclonic circulation deepened the thermocline and triggered the oceanic downwelling Rossby waves, resulting in a smaller phytoplankton structure in the southwestern TIO. During the decay phase of the strong positive IOD events, the sustained warming in the southwestern TIO induced basin-wide warming, thereby maintaining such an anomalous phytoplankton size structure into the following spring. The response of phytoplankton size structure and ocean dynamics displayed inverse patterns during the negative IOD events, with an anomalous larger phytoplankton structure in the central southern TIO. These findings enhance our understanding of phytoplankton responses to climate events, with serious implications for ecosystem changes in a warming climate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air-Sea Interaction and Climate Variability in the Ocean: Observations and Modeling Based on Remote Sensing Techniques)

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18 pages, 8701 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Diurnal Variability of Sea Surface Temperature on Air–Sea Heat Flux Estimation over the Northwest Pacific Ocean

by Qianguang Tu, Zengzhou Hao, Dong Liu, Bangyi Tao, Liangliang Shi and Yunwei Yan

Remote Sens. 2024, 16(4), 628; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16040628 - 8 Feb 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1864

Abstract

Accurate and consistent observations of diurnal variability of sea surface temperature (SST DV) and its impact on air–sea heat fluxes over large areas for extended periods are challenging due to their short time scale and wide coverage. The hourly gap-free SSTs generated from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency-Japan Agency for Marine–Earth Science and Technology (JAXA-JAMSTEC) are input to the COARE3.5 bulk flux algorithm to investigate the impact of SST DV on air–sea heat fluxes over the Northwest Pacific Ocean (NWPO). The main results are as follows. (1) The JAXA-JAMSTEC SSTs were found to be in good agreement with the buoy observations on SST DV with a very slight negative bias of −0.007 °C and a root mean square error of 0.018 °C. (2) The case study conducted on 26 June 2020 showed that the fluxes’ diurnal amplitudes were about 30–50

{W m}^{- 2}

, and evolution was in agreement with SST DV. (3) The average impact of SST DV on heat fluxes was 2.93

{W m}^{- 2}

over the subtropical NWPO, decreasing from southeast to northwest and from low to high latitudes, and showing a clear seasonal cycle during 2019–2022. This research highlights the need to consider SST DV for accurate estimation of heat fluxes, which is crucial for climate and atmospheric studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air-Sea Interaction and Climate Variability in the Ocean: Observations and Modeling Based on Remote Sensing Techniques)

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17 pages, 5223 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sea Surface pCO₂ Response to Typhoon “Wind Pump” and Kuroshio Intrusion in the Northeastern South China Sea

by Jingrou Lin, Qingyang Sun, Yupeng Liu, Haijun Ye, Danling Tang, Xiaohao Zhang and Yang Gao

Remote Sens. 2024, 16(1), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16010123 - 27 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1568

Abstract

The Luzon Strait (LS) is a key region for estimating carbon sources and sinks in the South China Sea (SCS) and is highly influenced by the Kuroshio Current (KC) and typhoons. Understanding the variations in the sea surface partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO_2-sw) under the combined effects of typhoons and KC in this region is crucial for estimating local and regional changes in ocean carbon flux. Based on valuable in situ pCO_2-sw and remote sensing data, this study aimed to reveal the temporal variations and the physical mechanisms of pCO_2-sw variations under the comprehensive effects of both typhoons and Kuroshio Intrusion (KI) in the LS. One week after the passage of the tropical cyclone (TC) Nanmadol, the concentration in the pCO_2-sw and the influencing mechanisms varied in three different regions (W1–W3) on Transect A (120°E). In the region dominated by SCS waters (W1), the average pCO_2-sw increased by 5.1 μatm after TC, which was mainly due to the TC “Wind Pump” inducing strong vertical mixing, which brought dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC)-rich deeper water up to the surface. In the region affected by KC (W2 and W3), pCO_2-sw decreased after the TC (−8.2 μatm and −1.8 μatm, respectively) with TC-enhanced KI because the invasion of lower pCO_2-sw of Kuroshio waters inhibited the TC-induced upwelling. More significant TC-induced upwelling (W3) would alleviate the decrease in pCO_2-sw caused by the TC-enhanced KI. This study is a rare case providing a better understanding of the variations in pCO_2-sw under TC-enhanced KI, which provides support for regional climate change prediction and carbon flux estimation in the western boundary current regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air-Sea Interaction and Climate Variability in the Ocean: Observations and Modeling Based on Remote Sensing Techniques)

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22 pages, 6960 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ocean Eddies in the Drake Passage: Decoding Their Three-Dimensional Structure and Evolution

by Xiayan Lin, Hui Zhao, Yu Liu, Guoqing Han, Han Zhang and Xiaomei Liao

Remote Sens. 2023, 15(9), 2462; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15092462 - 8 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3883

Abstract

The Drake Passage is known for its abundant mesoscale eddies, but little is known about their three-dimensional characteristics, which hinders our understanding of their impact on eddy-induced transport and deep-sea circulation. A 10-year study was conducted using GLORYS12 Mercator Ocean reanalysis data from 2009 to 2018. The study analyzed the statistical characteristics of eddies in the Drake Passage, spanning from the surface down to a depth of 2000 m in three dimensions. The findings indicate that the mean radius of the eddies is 35.5 km, with a mean lifespan of 12.3 weeks and mean vorticity of 2.2 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹. The eddies are most active and energetic near the three main fronts and propagate north-eastward at an average distance of 97.8 km. The eddy parameters vary with water depth, with more anticyclones detected from the surface to 400 m, displaying a larger radius and longer propagation distance. Cyclones have longer lifespans and greater vorticity. However, beyond 400 m, there is not much difference between anticyclones and cyclones. Approximately 23.3% of the eddies reach a depth of 2000 m, with larger eddies tending to penetrate deeper. The eddies come in three different shapes, bowl-shaped (52.7%), lens-shaped (27.1%) and cone-shaped (20.2%). They exhibit annual and monthly distribution patterns. Due to its high latitude location, the Drake Passage has strong rotation and weak stratification, resulting in the generation of small and deep-reaching eddies. These eddies contribute to the formation of Antarctic intermediate water and lead to modulation of turbulent dissipation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air-Sea Interaction and Climate Variability in the Ocean: Observations and Modeling Based on Remote Sensing Techniques)

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14 pages, 5427 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

A Study of the Mixed Layer Warming Induced by the Barrier Layer in the Northern Bay of Bengal in 2013

by Xutao Ni, Yun Qiu, Wenshu Lin, Tongtong Liu and Xinyu Lin

Remote Sens. 2024, 16(19), 3742; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16193742 - 9 Oct 2024

Viewed by 948

Abstract

Strong salinity stratification induced by large freshwater fluxes in the northern Bay of Bengal (BOB) results in the formation of a quasi-permanent barrier layer (BL) that covers almost the entire BOB and leads to a unique temperature inversion within the thick BL in winter. In the presence of temperature inversions, the entrainment process at the bottom of the mixed layer (ML) induces warming effects in the ML, but little is known about this. In this paper, we quantify the contribution of the entrainment process to the ML temperature (MLT) in the northern BOB during the winter of 2013 using monthly and daily data from the Ocean General Circulation Model for the Earth Simulator version 2 (OFES2). It is found that the warming effect of the daily entrainment heat flux (EHF), which resolved the high-frequency variations, is 4 orders of magnitude larger than the monthly EHF for most of the wintertime. This significantly enhanced warming effect in daily data offsets up to 87% of the surface cooling induced by net heat flux during wintertime. A further analysis reveals that the larger daily EHF warming effect compared to its monthly counterpart is closely related to the deepened ML, the larger temperature difference within the ML and vertical velocity at the bottom of the ML. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air-Sea Interaction and Climate Variability in the Ocean: Observations and Modeling Based on Remote Sensing Techniques)

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