OSSE for a sustainable marine observing network in the Sea of Marmara

An observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) is presented in the Sea of Marmara. A high-resolution ocean circulation model (FESOM) and an ensemble data assimilation tool (DART) are coupled. The OSSE methodology is used to assess the possible impact of a FerryBox network in the eastern Sea of Marmara. A reference experiment without assimilation is performed. Then, synthetic temperature and salinity observations are assimilated along the track of the ferries in the second experiment. The results suggest that a FerryBox network in the Sea of Marmara has potential to improve the forecasts significantly. The salinity and temperature errors get smaller in the upper layer of the water column. The impact of the assimilation is negligible in the lower layer due to the strong stratification. The circulation in the Sea of Marmara, particularly the Bosphorus outflow, helps to propagate the error reduction towards the western basin where no assimilation is performed. Overall, the proposed FerryBox network can be a good start to designing an optimal sustained marine observing network in the Sea of Marmara for assimilation purposes.