An improved estimation of the surface currents in the Levantine Basin of the Mediterranean sea is crucial for a wide range of applications, including pollutants transport and nutrients distribution. This estimation remains challenging due to the scarcity or shortcomings of various data types used for this purpose. In this paper, we present an objective validation of a variational assimilation algorithm that blends geostrophic velocities derived from altimetry, wind-induced velocities, and drifter positions, to continuously obtain velocity corrections. The assessment of the validation impact was based on available independent in-situ data (current meters, gliders, and independent drifters) and satellite ocean color images. In all cases, the improvement was shown either qualitatively (position of the eddies) or quantitatively.

对地中海黎凡特盆地表面流的改进估计对于广泛的应用至关重要，包括污染物运输和营养物分布。由于用于此目的的各种数据类型的稀缺或缺点，这种估计仍然具有挑战性。在本文中，我们提出了一种变分同化算法的客观验证，该算法融合了从测高、风致速度和漂流器位置得出的地转速度，以连续获得速度校正。验证影响的评估基于可用的独立现场数据（电流表、滑翔机和独立漂流器）和卫星海洋彩色图像。在所有情况下，改进都以定性（涡流的位置）或定量显示。