IDENTIFICATION OF SHALLOW SEA MODELS

In this paper we consider a parameter estimation procedure for shallow sea models. The method is formulated as a minimization problem. An ad joint model is used to calculate the gradient of the criterion which i s to be minimized. In order to obtain a robust estimation method, the uncertainty of the open boundary conditions can be taken into account by allowing random noise inputs to act on the open boundaries. This me thod avoids the possibility that boundary errors are interpreted by th e estimation procedure as parameter fluctuations. We apply the paramet er estimation method to identify a shallow sea model of the entire Eur opean continental shelf. First, a space-varying bottom friction coeffi cient is estimated simultaneously with the depth. The second applicati on is the estimation of the parameterization of the wind stress coeffi cient as a function of the wind velocity. Finally, an uncertain open b oundary condition is included. It is shown that in this case the param eter estimation procedure does become more robust and produces more re alistic estimates. Furthermore, an estimate of the open boundary condi tions is also obtained.