Ocean Currents Velocity Hindcast and Forecast Bias Correction Using a Deep-Learning Approach

Today’s prediction of ocean dynamics relies on numerical models. However, numerical models are often unable to accurately model and predict real ocean dynamics, leading to a lack of fulfillment of a range of services that require reliable predictions at various temporal and spatial scales. Indeed, a...

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Main Authors: Ali Muhamed Ali, Hanqi Zhuang, Yu Huang, Ali K. Ibrahim, Ali Salem Altaher, Laurent M. Chérubin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/9/1680
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author Ali Muhamed Ali
Hanqi Zhuang
Yu Huang
Ali K. Ibrahim
Ali Salem Altaher
Laurent M. Chérubin
author_facet Ali Muhamed Ali
Hanqi Zhuang
Yu Huang
Ali K. Ibrahim
Ali Salem Altaher
Laurent M. Chérubin
author_sort Ali Muhamed Ali
collection DOAJ
description Today’s prediction of ocean dynamics relies on numerical models. However, numerical models are often unable to accurately model and predict real ocean dynamics, leading to a lack of fulfillment of a range of services that require reliable predictions at various temporal and spatial scales. Indeed, a numerical model cannot fully resolve all the physical processes in the ocean due to various reasons, including biases in the initial field and calculation errors in the numerical solution of the model. Thus, bias-correcting methods have become crucial to improve the dynamical accuracy of numerical model predictions. In this study, we present a machine learning-based three-dimensional velocity bias correction method derived from historical observations that applies to both hindcast and forecast. Our approach is based on the modification of an existing deep learning model, called U-Net, designed specifically for image segmentation analysis in the biomedical field. U-Net was modified to create a Transform Model that retains the temporal and spatial evolution of the differences between the model and observations to produce a correction in the form of regression weights that evolves spatially and temporally with the model both forward and backward in time, beyond the observation period. Using daily ocean current observations from a 2.5-year current meter array deployment, we show that significant bias corrections can be conducted up to 50 days pre- or post-observations. Using a 3-year-long virtual array, valid bias corrections can be conducted for up to one year.
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spelling doaj-art-6498fc9efc524829b6080245d4ce96ae2025-08-20T01:55:34ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122024-09-01129168010.3390/jmse12091680Ocean Currents Velocity Hindcast and Forecast Bias Correction Using a Deep-Learning ApproachAli Muhamed Ali0Hanqi Zhuang1Yu Huang2Ali K. Ibrahim3Ali Salem Altaher4Laurent M. Chérubin5Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USAElectrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USAElectrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USAElectrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USAElectrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USAHarbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort-Pierce, FL 34946, USAToday’s prediction of ocean dynamics relies on numerical models. However, numerical models are often unable to accurately model and predict real ocean dynamics, leading to a lack of fulfillment of a range of services that require reliable predictions at various temporal and spatial scales. Indeed, a numerical model cannot fully resolve all the physical processes in the ocean due to various reasons, including biases in the initial field and calculation errors in the numerical solution of the model. Thus, bias-correcting methods have become crucial to improve the dynamical accuracy of numerical model predictions. In this study, we present a machine learning-based three-dimensional velocity bias correction method derived from historical observations that applies to both hindcast and forecast. Our approach is based on the modification of an existing deep learning model, called U-Net, designed specifically for image segmentation analysis in the biomedical field. U-Net was modified to create a Transform Model that retains the temporal and spatial evolution of the differences between the model and observations to produce a correction in the form of regression weights that evolves spatially and temporally with the model both forward and backward in time, beyond the observation period. Using daily ocean current observations from a 2.5-year current meter array deployment, we show that significant bias corrections can be conducted up to 50 days pre- or post-observations. Using a 3-year-long virtual array, valid bias corrections can be conducted for up to one year.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/9/1680bias correctionocean currentloop currentU-Nettransformer
spellingShingle Ali Muhamed Ali
Hanqi Zhuang
Yu Huang
Ali K. Ibrahim
Ali Salem Altaher
Laurent M. Chérubin
Ocean Currents Velocity Hindcast and Forecast Bias Correction Using a Deep-Learning Approach
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
bias correction
ocean current
loop current
U-Net
transformer
title Ocean Currents Velocity Hindcast and Forecast Bias Correction Using a Deep-Learning Approach
title_full Ocean Currents Velocity Hindcast and Forecast Bias Correction Using a Deep-Learning Approach
title_fullStr Ocean Currents Velocity Hindcast and Forecast Bias Correction Using a Deep-Learning Approach
title_full_unstemmed Ocean Currents Velocity Hindcast and Forecast Bias Correction Using a Deep-Learning Approach
title_short Ocean Currents Velocity Hindcast and Forecast Bias Correction Using a Deep-Learning Approach
title_sort ocean currents velocity hindcast and forecast bias correction using a deep learning approach
topic bias correction
ocean current
loop current
U-Net
transformer
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/9/1680
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