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Research within the Oceans Sciences Branch consists of a very strong ocean biology program that includes broad ocean color and ocean carbon cycle research, and a physical oceanography program that extends from ocean circulation-climate research to air-sea interaction.
A state-of-the-art ocean circulation model is used to simulate the ocean's response to atmospheric forcing. Of particular interest is the salinity variability south of the equator off the South American coast. It is thought that salinity anomalies generated there are subducted and then propagate to the western equatorial Pacific. The vertical stratification change due to these salinity anomalies affect the dynamics of the warmest surface waters in the global ocean, and likely affect the generation of interseasonal variability such as El Niño and La Niña.
Simulated Surface Salinity
- Aquarius (new window)
- Ocean Color (new window)
- SeaWiFS (new window)
- Graphics
- Movies
- El Niño Forecast (new window)
- Aquarius Ground (new window)
- MODIS Ocean (new window)
- Ocean Color (new window)
- Earth Observatory (new window)
- Hubble (new window)
- NASA Image Exchange (new window)
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Local ocean water temperatures courtesey of the NDBC at NOAA
