Using the adjoint method with the ocean component of coupled ocean-atmosphere models

A Primitive Equation Ocean General Circulation Model (PE OGCM) in a global configuration similar to that used in coupled ocean-atmosphere models is fitted to climatological data using the adjoint method. The ultimate objective is the use of data assimilation for the improvement of the ocean component of coupled models, and for the calculation of initial conditions for initializing coupled model integrations. We argue that ocean models that are used for coupled climate studies are an especially appropriate target for data assimilation using the adjoint method.