MedSUB: Understanding meso and submesoscale ocean interactions to improve Mediterranean CMEMS products

The objective of this project is to contribute to the improvement of CMEMS products based on new understanding of the fine-scale ocean circulation. To achieve the objective, a multi-platform approach, combining in-situ and satellite data in synergy with numerical models, is proposed. The underlying scientific goal is to enhance our knowledge of 2D/3D (including vertical exchanges) mesoscale and submesoscale processes and their interactions at different scales. The project focuses on the Mediterranean Sea, characterized by intense meso and submesoscale features (e.g fronts, meanders, eddies and filaments), and where the team has a broad experience. Main actions of the project include (1) to analyze CMEMS MFCs and TACs products and (2) to assess and validate CMEMS products using high-resolution multi-platform observations (glider, drifters, ship CTD, ADCP, Argo, etc) from recent field experiments. Particular attention will be devoted to providing feedback to the MFCs. The benefit for CMEMS will be the evaluation of model products from Monitoring and Forescasting Centers (MFCs) and in-situ and satellite Thematic Assembly Centers (TACs), to assess their capacity to investigate meso and submesocale processes. Finally, a set of recommendations will emerge to improve CMEMS products, with particular emphasis on the 2D/3D ocean circulation at meso and submesoscale.