Claire Dufau

Collecte Localisation Satellites | CLS · Environment & Climate

The study of mesoscale and submesoscale [hereafter (sub)mesoscale] hydrodynamic features is essential for understanding thermal and biogeochemical exchanges between coastal areas and the open ocean. In this context, a glider mission was conducted in August 2008, closely co-located and almost simultaneously launched with a JASON 2 altimetric pass, t...

The impact of the assimilation of MyOcean sea level anomalies along-track data on the analyses of the Sicily Channel Regional Model was studied. The numerical model has a resolution of 1/32 • degrees and is capable to repro-duce mesoscale and sub-mesoscale features. The impact of the SLA assimilation is studied by comparing a simulation (SIM, which...

Since the launch of Topex-Poseidon in 1992, satellite altimetry has become one of the most essential elements of the Earth's observing system. Its global view of the ocean state has permitted numerous improvements in the environment understanding, particularly in the global monitoring of climate changes and ocean circulation. Near the coastlines wh...

As part of Jason-2 project, CNES is conducting a study to improve altimeter products in coastal areas and inland waters. This 18-months-project named PISTACH for « Prototype Innovant de Système de Traitement pour les Applications Côtières et l'Hydrologie » is structured in three phases. In the first months of the project, a study of the user needs...

As part of Jason-2 project, CNES is currently funding a dedicated study to improve satellite radar altimetry products over coastal areas and continental waters. The PISTACH (Prototype Innovant de Système de Traitement pour les Applications Côtières et l'Hydrologie) project is organized around 3 phases: *Phase 1: user needs and structure of coastal/...

The circulation of the Gulf of Lion, a large continental shelf north of the western basin of the Mediterranean Sea, is complex and highly variable. During stratified conditions, unexpected barotropic eastward currents can be detected, mostly in the western part of the gulf. Care is given to retrieve inertial oscillations when necessary. The primiti...

[1] The Gulf of Lion's hydrodynamics are investigated with a numerical simulation of the 1998–1999 winter, performed with a three-dimensional (3-D) free-surface model and real forcings. The model initial state derives from the large-scale outputs of the MOM (1/8°) using a specific initialization method. The model results are validated with an ocean...

1] Hydrological and currentmeter observations were collected on the continental shelf and slope of the Gulf of Lion during the FETCH experiment (13 March to 15 April 1998). Results from the first part of the cruise, characterized by strong northern winds, are presented. The hydrological structures evidence well-mixed water masses on the eastern and...

The 3D hydrodynamic coastal model Symphonie developed at Laboratoire d'Aerologie (Toulouse) is used to analyse the set of data collected during the French Moogli3 cruise (11-21 January 1999). This modelling uses a 3km horizontal grid spacing. At the free-surface, realistic forcings are applied: air-sea fluxes are calculated thanks to a bulk formula...