⇐ ⇒

[CF-metadata] Negative emissions?

From: martin.juckes at stfc.ac.uk <martin.juckes>
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2016 10:49:10 +0000

Hello All,

The CMIP6 data request will, like the CMIP5 data request, include a request for a variable defined as "Carbon Mass Flux into Atmosphere Due to All Anthropogenic Emissions of CO2" with CF Standard Name "tendency_of_atmosphere_mass_content_of_carbon_dioxide_expressed_as_carbon_due_to_anthropogenic_emission".

My question is whether the definition of this term is intended to apply only to positive emissions, or should negative values be recorded when, according to some scenarios, the net anthropoenic flux is out of the atmosphere? The use of the word "Emission" implies some judgement about the sign, but it is not spelled out in the definition.

regards,
Martin

________________________________________
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Subject: CF-metadata Digest, Vol 155, Issue 14

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Today's Topics:

   1. Confusing skin temperature and interface temperature
      (martin.juckes at stfc.ac.uk)
   2. Re: Confusing skin temperature and interface temperature
      (Craig Donlon)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2016 09:47:40 +0000
From: <martin.juckes at stfc.ac.uk>
To: <cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu>
Subject: [CF-metadata] Confusing skin temperature and interface
        temperature
Message-ID:
        <E21FBC3F00D7304687CB46529F9676D7FA6AFA40 at EXCHMBX01.fed.cclrc.ac.uk>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

Hello All,

Karl has raised an objection to the wording ".... not the skin ...." which was carried over from the current CF Standard Name definition for sea_surface_temperature in my suggested update. The update is intended to correct a currently erroneous reference to "surface_temperature" as skin temperature. Karl's objection, which also applies to the existing definition (and appears to date back to v1 fo the list), could be accomodated by a simple change:

 ?Sea surface temperature is usually abbreviated as "SST". It
     is the temperature of sea water near the surface (including
     the part under sea-ice, if any). More specific terms sea_surface_skin_temperature and surface_temperature
     are available for the skin and interface
     temperature respectively. For the temperature of sea water at a
    particular depth or layer, a data variable of
    sea_water_temperature with a vertical coordinate axis should
     be used.?

regards,
Martin



________________________________________
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Subject: CF-metadata Digest, Vol 155, Issue 13

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Confusing skin temperature and interface temperature
      (Karl Taylor)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 17:47:05 -0800
From: Karl Taylor <taylor13 at llnl.gov>
To: Peter Minnett <pminnett at rsmas.miami.edu>,
        alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk, craig.donlon at esa.int
Cc: cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu, kenneth.casey at noaa.gov,
        Anne.Ocarroll at eumetsat.int, Edward.m.armstrong at jpl.nasa.gov
Subject: Re: [CF-metadata] Confusing skin temperature and interface
        temperature
Message-ID: <56DE2F19.2080302 at llnl.gov>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed"

Dear Peter, Craig and all,

For observations I am not arguing that all the different ocean
temperature definitions aren't needed. In describing observations I
understand that skin and surface temperature are not identical. My
statement was that by construction (almost all) current models assume
that the temperature is vertically uniform (i.e., the water is perfectly
mixed and homogeneous) throughout the upper most layer, so in *those*
models the statement that the "sea_surface_temperature" is "not the skin
or interface temperature" is *wrong*.

The CF standard name description of "sea_surface_temperature" is
somewhat vague by design: "the temperature of sea water near the
surface". Because it is vague, it *could* defensibly be used to
represent any more precisely defined near-surface temperature, including
"sea_surface_skin_temperature", "sea_surface_subskin_temperature", or
"sea_surface_foundation_temperature".

Even for observations it would be wrong to say "sea water near the
surface is not the skin temperature".

Since skin temperature is near the surface and sea_surface_temperature
is vague, it might in fact be the same as skin temperature (e.g., if
sea_surface_temperature in fact recorded the conductive
diffusion-dominated sub-layer at a depth of approximately 10-20
micrometers below the air-sea interface). Again, usually in models,
sea_surface_temperature most emphatically does provide the model's best
(only!) estimate of skin temperature.

If the description were changed to read:
"It is the temperature of sea water near the surface (including the part
under sea-ice, if any), and not necessarily the skin temperature".
I would be happy.

Better yet, why not include in the discussion the following points:

1) surface temperature, sea_surface_temperature,
sea_surface_skin_temperature, sea_surface_subskin_temperature, and
sea_surface_foundation_temperature are all terms that might apply to the
temperature of sea water.
2) When the temperature represents a horizontal spatial average,
surface_temperature represents the mean of the temperature over all
surface types in the domain, whereas the other temperatures do not.
3) The sea_surface_temperature is imprecise because it represents a
near-surface temperature sampled within (or averaged over) the portion
of the column extending from the surface down to perhaps several
meters. In many ocean models, the temperature does not vary in that
portion of the column so sea_surface_temperature might be the
appropriate standard_name. Note that in this case, if part of the
horizontal domain represented by this temperature is under sea ice, the
temperature would not be the same as surface_temperature (which would
include contributions from the surface of the sea ice).
4) The other CF standard names for ocean temperatures have more precise
definitions, and so those names should be used whenever they apply.

best regards,
Karl



On 3/7/16 7:06 AM, Peter Minnett wrote:
> Dear Alison, Craig, Karl et al.,
>
> I have refrained from entering this discussion until now as Craig has
> made the points carefully and succinctly. But I think there's a
> fundamental issue at stake about what these definitions are for.
>
> My view is that definitions such as these are intended to provide a
> framework for communication that accurately but briefly represents our
> best understanding of the physics of the upper ocean and lower
> atmosphere. Thus, the definitions should not be constrained, or
> adapted, to reflect our current measurement or modelling capabilities
> as these, we expect, will improve with time. If, at some point in the
> future, we learn something new about how the thermal structure of the
> upper ocean behaves, then maybe the definitions will have to be
> revised, but for now I believe our definitions should be based on our
> understanding of the physical behavior of sea water near the air-sea
> interface. And this is what we tried to achieve with the GHRSST
> definitions.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Peter
>
> --------------------------------------------------------
> Peter J. Minnett
> Professor, Department of Ocean Sciences
> Speaker, RSMAS School Council.
> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
> University of Miami
> 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway
> Miami, FL 33149-1031, USA
>
> Chairman, Science Team of the Group for High Resolution Sea-Surface
> Temperature (GHRSST)
>
> Tel: +1 (305) 421-4104 Fax: +1 (305) 421-4696
> email: pminnett at rsmas.miami.edu
> http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/people/faculty-index/?p=peter-minnett
> https://www.ghrsst.org/
>
>
>
>
>
> On 3/7/2016 6:41 AM, alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk wrote:
>>
>> Dear Craig and Karl,
>>
>> Thanks both for your comments. It is clear that we need some more
>> discussion on this topic. I will be making an update to the standard
>> name table tomorrow but will defer any changes to the sea surface
>> temperature names until we can all agree a position on this.
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Alison
>>
>> ------
>>
>> Alison Pamment Tel: +44 1235 778065
>>
>> Centre for Environmental Data Analysis Email:
>> alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk <mailto:J.A.Pamment at rl.ac.uk>
>>
>> STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
>>
>> R25, 2.22
>>
>> Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX, U.K.
>>
>> *From:*Craig Donlon [mailto:craig.donlon at esa.int]
>> *Sent:* 07 March 2016 02:18
>> *To:* Pamment, Alison (STFC,RAL,RALSP)
>> *Cc:* taylor13 at llnl.gov; cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu; Kenneth Casey;
>> Peter Minnett; Anne O'Caroll; Edward Armstrong
>> *Subject:* Re: [CF-metadata] Confusing skin temperature and interface
>> temperature
>>
>> Dear Alison and Karl:
>>
>> Thanks for the discussion here. The key issue is that model teams
>> need to be more precise as to which SST variable is being used. As
>> more advanced systems begin to fully couple ocean and atmosphere,
>> begin to perform radiance assimilation etc the need for each of the
>> different SST variables becomes readily apparent.
>>
>> I would not like to see any of the current CF SST definitions watered
>> down in the manner proposed. But rather to ask Karl to define what
>> he means by SST in the modelling context that he is working?
>>
>> Then we may hope to resolve the issue efficiently.
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Craig
>>
>> --
>>
>> *** Sent from my iPhone ***
>>
>> --
>>
>> Dr Craig Donlon
>>
>> Sentinel-3 Mission Scientist,
>>
>> Principal Scientist for Oceans and Ice
>>
>> European Space Agency/ESTEC
>>
>> Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ
>>
>> Noordwijk
>>
>> The Netherlands
>>
>>
>>
>> e: craig.donlon at esa.int
>>
>> t: +31 (0)715 653687
>>
>> f: +31 (0)715 655675
>>
>> m: +31 (0)627 013244
>>
>> Skype: crazit
>>
>>
>> On 3 Mar 2016, at 19:53, <alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk
>> <mailto:alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk>> <alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk
>> <mailto:alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk>> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Karl,
>>
>> Thanks for your comments on this. Clearly we need to get this
>> right before I make any changes in the standard name table.
>>
>> I recall that the sea surface skin, subskin and foundation
>> temperatures were introduced primarily to describe satellite
>> radiometer data because the existing sea_surface_temperature name
>> was too vague. I have the impression that modellers sometimes use
>> the word ?skin? as being synonymous with the interface at the
>> bottom of the atmosphere and I think that was probably the
>> intention behind its use in the current definition. By contrast,
>> the observational community have a very specific definition for
>> the sea skin: ?the conductive diffusion-dominated sub-layer at a
>> depth of approximately 10 - 20 micrometers below the air-sea
>> interface?. So I think there is scope for some confusion here
>> since the more specific sea surface temperature names were
>> introduced.
>>
>> As far as standard name definitions are concerned, the main thing
>> is to ensure we provide clear guidance as to when a particular
>> name should be used and to explain the relationships between
>> similar names. I take your point that some models may be
>> deliberately formulated to have sea_surface_temperature (by which
>> I assume you mean the top layer of the model) the same as the
>> interface temperature. I assume you would still label it with a
>> standard name of sea_surface_temperature, even though in this
>> case it would be directly comparable with a variable with
>> standard name surface_temperature and we should probably explain
>> that in the definition.
>>
>> Do models ever output variables that you would actually want
>> label as ?skin?, ?subskin? or ?foundation? temperatures (as
>> defined in the existing standard names)? If not, then perhaps it
>> is best to simply note in the definition that the other names
>> exist and that they have very specific definitions. This avoids
>> the issue around the word ?skin?.
>>
>> These points would then lead to a definition something like the
>> following:
>>
>> ?Sea surface temperature is usually abbreviated as "SST". It is
>> the temperature of sea water near the surface (including the part
>> under sea-ice, if any), and is not necessarily the same as the
>> interface temperature at the bottom of the atmosphere, whose
>> standard name is surface_temperature. Some models are formulated
>> such that sea_surface_temperature and surface_temperature are the
>> same in ice free sea areas. The standard names
>> sea_surface_skin_temperature, sea_surface_subskin_temperature and
>> sea_surface_foundation_temperature can be used to describe the
>> temperature in specific layers close to the sea surface and are
>> often used to describe satellite observations. For the
>> temperature of sea water at a particular depth or layer, a
>> standard name of sea_water_temperature with a vertical coordinate
>> axis should be used.?
>>
>> Does that sound OK? Does it include all the necessary information?
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Alison
>>
>> ------
>>
>> Alison Pamment Tel: +44 1235 778065
>>
>> Centre for Environmental Data Analysis Email:
>> alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk <mailto:J.A.Pamment at rl.ac.uk>
>>
>> STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
>>
>> R25, 2.22
>>
>> Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX, U.K.
>>
>> *From:*CF-metadata [mailto:cf-metadata-bounces at cgd.ucar.edu] *On
>> Behalf Of *Karl Taylor
>> *Sent:* 02 March 2016 20:26
>> *To:* cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu <mailto:cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu>
>> *Subject:* Re: [CF-metadata] Confusing skin temperature and
>> interface temperature
>>
>> Dear Alison and all,
>>
>> For "sea_surface_temperature", there is a problem stating
>> definitively that it is "not the skin or interface temperature".
>> In most models the skin and interface temperatures over ice-free
>> (i.e., open) ocean are indeed the same as sea_surface_temperature
>> (by construction). I think it would be more accurate (and less
>> misleading) to say it is "not *necessarily* the skin or interface
>> temperature". You could also add to the list
>> "sea_surface_foundation_temperature" here because in models it
>> too is often the same as sea_surface_temperature". Models are
>> evolving, so this might not indefinitely be the case.
>>
>> thanks,
>> Karl
>>
>>
>> On 3/2/16 9:40 AM,
>> <mailto:alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk>alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk wrote:
>>
>> Dear Martin, All,
>>
>> No objections have been received to the proposed definition
>> change and it is now accepted for publication in the standard
>> name table.
>>
>> The name will in future appear as:
>>
>> sea_surface_temperature (canonical units: K)
>>
>> ?Sea surface temperature is usually abbreviated as "SST". It
>> is the temperature of sea water near the surface (including
>> the part under sea-ice, if any), not the skin or interface
>> temperature, whose standard names are
>> sea_surface_skin_temperature and surface_temperature,
>> respectively. For the temperature of sea water at a
>> particular depth or layer, a data variable of
>> sea_water_temperature with a vertical coordinate axis should
>> be used.?
>>
>> In response to Martin?s proposal I received an email from
>> Craig Donlon (original proposer of many of the current
>> sea_surface_X_temperature names). Craig and his team support
>> the Martin?s proposal and additionally point out an error
>> that occurs in the definition of the following names:
>>
>> sea_surface_skin_temperature
>>
>> sea_surface_subskin_temperature
>>
>> in which the first sentence reads ?The surface called
>> "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere? even
>> though the temperatures are not in fact measured at the
>> sea-air boundary. The suggestion is to delete the initial
>> sentence from the definitions. I note also that a similar
>> situation currently exists with the standard name
>> sea_surface_foundation_temperature even though that
>> temperature generally refers to a depth of 1 ? 5 m below the
>> sea surface.
>>
>> I agree with Craig that the sentence should be deleted. I
>> think it was probably included by accident because most
>> ?surface? standard names do indeed refer to the interface
>> between the bottom of the atmosphere and whatever lies
>> beneath. I plan to remove the sentence from the definitions
>> of these three names at the next standard name table update
>> unless any objections are received in the meantime.
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Alison
>>
>> ------
>>
>> Alison Pamment Tel: +44 1235 778065
>>
>> Centre for Environmental Data Analysis Email:
>> alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk <mailto:J.A.Pamment at rl.ac.uk>
>>
>> STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
>>
>> R25, 2.22
>>
>> Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX, U.K.
>>
>> *From:*Pamment, Alison (STFC,RAL,RALSP)
>> *Sent:* 03 February 2016 15:32
>> *To:* Juckes, Martin (STFC,RAL,RALSP);
>> cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu <mailto:cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu>
>> *Subject:* RE: Confusing skin temperature and interface
>> temperature
>>
>> Dear Martin,
>>
>> Thank you for pointing this out. I agree that since the
>> introduction of the very precisely defined
>> sea_surface_skin_temperature name, the definition of the more
>> generic name is confusing. I agree with your suggested
>> amendment and unless anyone objects within the next seven
>> days the change will be accepted and added at the next update
>> of the standard name table.
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Alison
>>
>> *From:*Juckes, Martin (STFC,RAL,RALSP)
>> *Sent:* 02 February 2016 16:07
>> *To:*
>> <mailto:cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu>cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu;
>> Pamment, Alison (STFC,RAL,RALSP)
>> *Subject:* Confusing skin temperature and interface temperature
>>
>> Hello All,
>>
>> The CF Standard Name sea_surface_temperature includes the
>> statement that it is "./... not the skin temperature, whose
>> standard name is surface_temperature/". The last phrase here
>> is incorrect: the standard name of the skin temperature
>> is/sea_surface_skin_temperature/, not /surface_temperature/.
>> Can the definition be modified to read ".. /not the skin or
>> interface temperature, whose standard names are
>> sea_surface_skin_temperature and surface_temperature
>> respectively/"?
>>
>> regards,
>> Martin
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
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------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2016 11:21:19 +0100
From: Craig Donlon <craig.donlon at esa.int>
To: martin.juckes at stfc.ac.uk
Cc: cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu
Subject: Re: [CF-metadata] Confusing skin temperature and interface
        temperature
Message-ID:
        <28054_1457432480_56DEA7A0_28054_890_1_C1A279E0-1EC3-4FBE-810F-11AA9C94A804 at esa.int>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Genius and sounds like a good solution to me.

Regards
Craig

--
*** Sent from my iPhone ***
--
Dr Craig Donlon
Sentinel-3 Mission Scientist,
Principal Scientist for Oceans and Ice
European Space Agency/ESTEC
Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ
Noordwijk
The Netherlands
e:  craig.donlon at esa.int
t:   +31 (0)715 653687
f:   +31 (0)715 655675
m: +31 (0)627 013244
Skype: crazit
> On 8 Mar 2016, at 10:47, <martin.juckes at stfc.ac.uk> <martin.juckes at stfc.ac.uk> wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> Karl has raised an objection to the wording  ".... not the skin ...." which was carried over from the current CF Standard Name definition for sea_surface_temperature in my suggested update. The update is intended to correct a currently erroneous reference to "surface_temperature" as skin temperature. Karl's objection, which also applies to the existing definition (and appears to date back to v1 fo the list), could be accomodated by a simple change:
>
> ?Sea surface temperature is usually abbreviated as "SST". It
>     is the temperature of sea water near the surface (including
>     the part under sea-ice, if any). More specific terms sea_surface_skin_temperature and surface_temperature
>     are available for the skin and interface
>     temperature respectively. For the temperature of sea water at a
>    particular depth or layer, a data variable of
>    sea_water_temperature with a vertical coordinate axis should
>     be used.?
>
> regards,
> Martin
>
>
>
> ________________________________________
> From: CF-metadata [cf-metadata-bounces at cgd.ucar.edu] on behalf of cf-metadata-request at cgd.ucar.edu [cf-metadata-request at cgd.ucar.edu]
> Sent: 08 March 2016 01:46
> To: cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu
> Subject: CF-metadata Digest, Vol 155, Issue 13
>
> Send CF-metadata mailing list submissions to
>        cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>        http://mailman.cgd.ucar.edu/mailman/listinfo/cf-metadata
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>        cf-metadata-request at cgd.ucar.edu
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
>        cf-metadata-owner at cgd.ucar.edu
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of CF-metadata digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Re: Confusing skin temperature and interface temperature
>      (Karl Taylor)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 17:47:05 -0800
> From: Karl Taylor <taylor13 at llnl.gov>
> To: Peter Minnett <pminnett at rsmas.miami.edu>,
>        alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk, craig.donlon at esa.int
> Cc: cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu, kenneth.casey at noaa.gov,
>        Anne.Ocarroll at eumetsat.int, Edward.m.armstrong at jpl.nasa.gov
> Subject: Re: [CF-metadata] Confusing skin temperature and interface
>        temperature
> Message-ID: <56DE2F19.2080302 at llnl.gov>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed"
>
> Dear Peter, Craig and all,
>
> For observations I am not arguing that all the different ocean
> temperature definitions aren't needed.  In describing observations I
> understand that skin and surface temperature are not identical.  My
> statement was that by construction (almost all) current models assume
> that the temperature is vertically uniform (i.e., the water is perfectly
> mixed and homogeneous) throughout the upper most layer, so in *those*
> models the statement that the "sea_surface_temperature" is "not the skin
> or interface temperature" is *wrong*.
>
> The CF standard name description of "sea_surface_temperature" is
> somewhat vague by design: "the temperature of sea water near the
> surface".  Because it is vague, it *could* defensibly be used to
> represent any more precisely defined near-surface temperature, including
> "sea_surface_skin_temperature", "sea_surface_subskin_temperature", or
> "sea_surface_foundation_temperature".
>
> Even for observations it would be wrong to say  "sea water near the
> surface is not the skin temperature".
>
> Since skin temperature is near the surface and sea_surface_temperature
> is vague, it might in fact be the same as skin temperature (e.g., if
> sea_surface_temperature in fact recorded the conductive
> diffusion-dominated sub-layer at a depth of approximately 10-20
> micrometers below the air-sea interface). Again, usually in models,
> sea_surface_temperature most emphatically does provide the model's best
> (only!) estimate of skin temperature.
>
> If the description were changed to read:
> "It is the temperature of sea water near the surface (including the part
> under sea-ice, if any), and not necessarily the skin temperature".
> I would be happy.
>
> Better yet, why not include in the discussion  the following points:
>
> 1) surface temperature, sea_surface_temperature,
> sea_surface_skin_temperature, sea_surface_subskin_temperature, and
> sea_surface_foundation_temperature are all terms that might apply to the
> temperature of sea water.
> 2) When the temperature represents a horizontal spatial average,
> surface_temperature represents the mean of the temperature over all
> surface types in the domain, whereas the other temperatures do not.
> 3) The sea_surface_temperature is imprecise because it represents a
> near-surface temperature sampled within (or averaged over) the portion
> of the column extending from the surface down to perhaps several
> meters.  In many ocean models, the temperature does not vary in that
> portion of the column so sea_surface_temperature might be the
> appropriate standard_name.  Note that in this case, if part of the
> horizontal domain represented by this temperature is under sea ice, the
> temperature would not be the same as surface_temperature (which would
> include contributions from the surface of the sea ice).
> 4) The other CF standard names for ocean temperatures have more precise
> definitions, and so those names should be used whenever they apply.
>
> best regards,
> Karl
>
>
>
>> On 3/7/16 7:06 AM, Peter Minnett wrote:
>> Dear Alison, Craig, Karl et al.,
>>
>> I have refrained from entering this discussion until now as Craig has
>> made the points carefully and succinctly. But I think there's a
>> fundamental issue at stake about what these definitions are for.
>>
>> My view is that definitions such as these are intended to provide a
>> framework for communication that accurately but briefly represents our
>> best understanding of the physics of the upper ocean and lower
>> atmosphere. Thus, the definitions should not be constrained, or
>> adapted, to reflect our current measurement or modelling capabilities
>> as these, we expect, will improve with time. If, at some point in the
>> future, we learn something new about how the thermal structure of the
>> upper ocean behaves, then maybe the definitions will have to be
>> revised, but for now I believe our definitions should be based on our
>> understanding of the physical behavior of sea water near the air-sea
>> interface. And this is what we tried to achieve with the GHRSST
>> definitions.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Peter
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------
>> Peter J. Minnett
>> Professor, Department of Ocean Sciences
>> Speaker,  RSMAS School Council.
>> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
>> University of Miami
>> 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway
>> Miami, FL  33149-1031, USA
>>
>> Chairman, Science Team of the Group for High Resolution Sea-Surface
>> Temperature (GHRSST)
>>
>> Tel: +1 (305) 421-4104          Fax: +1 (305) 421-4696
>> email: pminnett at rsmas.miami.edu
>> http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/people/faculty-index/?p=peter-minnett
>> https://www.ghrsst.org/
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On 3/7/2016 6:41 AM, alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk wrote:
>>>
>>> Dear Craig and Karl,
>>>
>>> Thanks both for your comments. It is clear that we need some more
>>> discussion on this topic. I will be making an update to the standard
>>> name table tomorrow but will defer any changes to the sea surface
>>> temperature names until we can all agree a position on this.
>>>
>>> Best wishes,
>>>
>>> Alison
>>>
>>> ------
>>>
>>> Alison Pamment Tel: +44 1235 778065
>>>
>>> Centre for Environmental Data Analysis         Email:
>>> alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk <mailto:J.A.Pamment at rl.ac.uk>
>>>
>>> STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
>>>
>>> R25, 2.22
>>>
>>> Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX, U.K.
>>>
>>> *From:*Craig Donlon [mailto:craig.donlon at esa.int]
>>> *Sent:* 07 March 2016 02:18
>>> *To:* Pamment, Alison (STFC,RAL,RALSP)
>>> *Cc:* taylor13 at llnl.gov; cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu; Kenneth Casey;
>>> Peter Minnett; Anne O'Caroll; Edward Armstrong
>>> *Subject:* Re: [CF-metadata] Confusing skin temperature and interface
>>> temperature
>>>
>>> Dear Alison and Karl:
>>>
>>> Thanks for the discussion here. The key issue is that model teams
>>> need to be more precise as to which SST variable is being used.  As
>>> more advanced systems begin to fully couple ocean and atmosphere,
>>> begin to perform radiance assimilation etc the need for each of the
>>> different SST variables becomes readily apparent.
>>>
>>> I would not like to see any of the current CF SST definitions watered
>>> down in the manner proposed.  But rather to ask Karl to define what
>>> he means by SST in the modelling context that he is working?
>>>
>>> Then we may hope to resolve the issue efficiently.
>>>
>>> Regards
>>>
>>> Craig
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> *** Sent from my iPhone ***
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Dr Craig Donlon
>>>
>>> Sentinel-3 Mission Scientist,
>>>
>>> Principal Scientist for Oceans and Ice
>>>
>>> European Space Agency/ESTEC
>>>
>>> Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ
>>>
>>> Noordwijk
>>>
>>> The Netherlands
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> e: craig.donlon at esa.int
>>>
>>> t:   +31 (0)715 653687
>>>
>>> f:   +31 (0)715 655675
>>>
>>> m: +31 (0)627 013244
>>>
>>> Skype: crazit
>>>
>>>
>>> On 3 Mar 2016, at 19:53, <alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk
>>> <mailto:alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk>> <alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk
>>> <mailto:alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk>> wrote:
>>>
>>>    Dear Karl,
>>>
>>>    Thanks for your comments on this. Clearly we need to get this
>>>    right before I make any changes in the standard name table.
>>>
>>>    I recall that the sea surface skin, subskin and foundation
>>>    temperatures were introduced primarily to describe satellite
>>>    radiometer data because the existing sea_surface_temperature name
>>>    was too vague. I have the impression that modellers sometimes use
>>>    the word ?skin? as being synonymous with the interface at the
>>>    bottom of the atmosphere and I think that was probably the
>>>    intention behind its use in the current definition. By contrast,
>>>    the observational community have a very specific definition for
>>>    the sea skin: ?the conductive diffusion-dominated sub-layer at a
>>>    depth of approximately 10 - 20 micrometers below the air-sea
>>>    interface?. So I think there is scope for some confusion here
>>>    since the more specific sea surface temperature names were
>>>    introduced.
>>>
>>>    As far as standard name definitions are concerned, the main thing
>>>    is to ensure we provide clear guidance as to when a particular
>>>    name should be used and to explain the relationships between
>>>    similar names. I take your point that some models may be
>>>    deliberately formulated to have sea_surface_temperature (by which
>>>    I assume you mean the top layer of the model)  the same as the
>>>    interface temperature. I assume you would still label it with a
>>>    standard name of sea_surface_temperature, even though in this
>>>    case it would be directly comparable with a variable with
>>>    standard name surface_temperature and we should probably explain
>>>    that in the definition.
>>>
>>>    Do models ever output variables that you would actually want
>>>     label as ?skin?, ?subskin? or ?foundation? temperatures (as
>>>    defined in the existing standard names)? If not, then perhaps it
>>>    is best to simply note in the definition that the other names
>>>    exist and that they have very specific definitions. This avoids
>>>    the issue around the word ?skin?.
>>>
>>>    These points would then lead to a definition something like the
>>>    following:
>>>
>>>    ?Sea surface temperature is usually abbreviated as "SST". It is
>>>    the temperature of sea water near the surface (including the part
>>>    under sea-ice, if any), and is not necessarily the same as the
>>>    interface temperature at the bottom of the atmosphere, whose
>>>    standard name is surface_temperature. Some models are formulated
>>>    such that sea_surface_temperature and surface_temperature are the
>>>    same in ice free sea areas. The standard names
>>>    sea_surface_skin_temperature, sea_surface_subskin_temperature and
>>>    sea_surface_foundation_temperature can be used to describe the
>>>    temperature in specific layers close to the sea surface and are
>>>    often used to describe satellite observations. For the
>>>    temperature of sea water at a particular depth or layer, a
>>>    standard name of sea_water_temperature with a vertical coordinate
>>>    axis should be used.?
>>>
>>>    Does that sound OK? Does it include all the necessary information?
>>>
>>>    Best wishes,
>>>
>>>    Alison
>>>
>>>    ------
>>>
>>>    Alison Pamment Tel: +44 1235 778065
>>>
>>>    Centre for Environmental Data Analysis         Email:
>>>    alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk <mailto:J.A.Pamment at rl.ac.uk>
>>>
>>>    STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
>>>
>>>    R25, 2.22
>>>
>>>    Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX, U.K.
>>>
>>>    *From:*CF-metadata [mailto:cf-metadata-bounces at cgd.ucar.edu] *On
>>>    Behalf Of *Karl Taylor
>>>    *Sent:* 02 March 2016 20:26
>>>    *To:* cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu <mailto:cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu>
>>>    *Subject:* Re: [CF-metadata] Confusing skin temperature and
>>>    interface temperature
>>>
>>>    Dear Alison and all,
>>>
>>>    For "sea_surface_temperature", there is a problem stating
>>>    definitively that it is "not the skin or interface temperature".
>>>    In most models the skin and interface temperatures over ice-free
>>>    (i.e., open) ocean are indeed the same as sea_surface_temperature
>>>    (by construction).  I think it would be more accurate (and less
>>>    misleading) to say it is "not *necessarily* the skin or interface
>>>    temperature". You could also add to the list
>>>    "sea_surface_foundation_temperature" here because in models it
>>>    too is often the same as sea_surface_temperature".   Models are
>>>    evolving, so this might not indefinitely be the case.
>>>
>>>    thanks,
>>>    Karl
>>>
>>>
>>>    On 3/2/16 9:40 AM,
>>>    <mailto:alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk>alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk wrote:
>>>
>>>        Dear Martin, All,
>>>
>>>        No objections have been received to the proposed definition
>>>        change and it is now accepted for publication in the standard
>>>        name table.
>>>
>>>        The name will in future appear as:
>>>
>>>        sea_surface_temperature (canonical units: K)
>>>
>>>        ?Sea surface temperature is usually abbreviated as "SST". It
>>>        is the temperature of sea water near the surface (including
>>>        the part under sea-ice, if any), not the skin or interface
>>>        temperature, whose standard names are
>>>        sea_surface_skin_temperature and surface_temperature,
>>>        respectively. For the temperature of sea water at a
>>>        particular depth or layer, a data variable of
>>>        sea_water_temperature with a vertical coordinate axis should
>>>        be used.?
>>>
>>>        In response to Martin?s proposal I received an email from
>>>        Craig Donlon (original proposer of many of the current
>>>        sea_surface_X_temperature names). Craig and his team support
>>>        the Martin?s proposal and additionally point out an error
>>>        that occurs in the definition of the following names:
>>>
>>>        sea_surface_skin_temperature
>>>
>>>        sea_surface_subskin_temperature
>>>
>>>        in which the first sentence reads ?The surface called
>>>        "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere? even
>>>        though the temperatures are not in fact measured at the
>>>        sea-air boundary. The suggestion is to delete the initial
>>>        sentence from the definitions. I note also that a similar
>>>        situation currently exists with the standard name
>>>        sea_surface_foundation_temperature even though that
>>>        temperature generally refers to a depth of 1 ? 5 m below the
>>>        sea surface.
>>>
>>>        I agree with Craig that the sentence should be deleted. I
>>>        think it was probably included by accident because most
>>>        ?surface? standard names do indeed refer to the interface
>>>        between the bottom of the atmosphere and whatever lies
>>>        beneath. I plan to remove the sentence from the definitions
>>>        of these three names at the next standard name table update
>>>        unless any objections are received in the meantime.
>>>
>>>        Best wishes,
>>>
>>>        Alison
>>>
>>>        ------
>>>
>>>        Alison Pamment Tel: +44 1235 778065
>>>
>>>        Centre for Environmental Data Analysis         Email:
>>>        alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk <mailto:J.A.Pamment at rl.ac.uk>
>>>
>>>        STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
>>>
>>>        R25, 2.22
>>>
>>>        Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX, U.K.
>>>
>>>        *From:*Pamment, Alison (STFC,RAL,RALSP)
>>>        *Sent:* 03 February 2016 15:32
>>>        *To:* Juckes, Martin (STFC,RAL,RALSP);
>>>        cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu <mailto:cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu>
>>>        *Subject:* RE: Confusing skin temperature and interface
>>>        temperature
>>>
>>>        Dear Martin,
>>>
>>>        Thank you for pointing this out. I agree that since the
>>>        introduction of the very precisely defined
>>>        sea_surface_skin_temperature name, the definition of the more
>>>        generic name is confusing. I agree with your suggested
>>>        amendment and unless anyone objects within the next seven
>>>        days the change will be accepted and added at the next update
>>>        of the standard name table.
>>>
>>>        Best wishes,
>>>
>>>        Alison
>>>
>>>        *From:*Juckes, Martin (STFC,RAL,RALSP)
>>>        *Sent:* 02 February 2016 16:07
>>>        *To:*
>>>        <mailto:cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu>cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu;
>>>        Pamment, Alison (STFC,RAL,RALSP)
>>>        *Subject:* Confusing skin temperature and interface temperature
>>>
>>>        Hello All,
>>>
>>>        The CF Standard Name sea_surface_temperature includes the
>>>        statement that it is "./... not the skin temperature, whose
>>>        standard name is surface_temperature/". The last phrase here
>>>        is incorrect: the standard name of the skin temperature
>>>        is/sea_surface_skin_temperature/, not /surface_temperature/.
>>>        Can the definition be modified to read ".. /not the skin or
>>>        interface temperature, whose standard names are
>>>        sea_surface_skin_temperature and surface_temperature
>>>        respectively/"?
>>>
>>>        regards,
>>>        Martin
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>        _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>        CF-metadata mailing list
>>>
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