Descriptive Capability of Datasets as Proxy of Sea Water Temperature in Coastal Systems: An Evaluation from the Aegean Sea

Abstract

Scientific and technological progresses have introduced diverse data sources for seawater temperature over broad temporal and spatial ranges. Here, we investigated the performance of satellite and model-based seawater temperature data for different temporal composites and depths. We applied an in-situ temperature time-series obtained in a coastal bottom in the Aegean Sea over three years, as the reference. Both datasets showed largely significant relationships based on cross-correlation analyses and presented descriptive properties of the in-situ conditions at corresponding depths. Based on the results of analyses, the modeling datasets presented more reliable results and representations of in-situ conditions than the datasets obtained from satellite for the coastal region. However, the datasets obtained from the satellite also provided reliable data for all time frames investigated, particularly in the mixed surface layer. Monthly datasets were more effective in providing descriptive values in long term studies. This is the first detailed study to explore the descriptive capacities of modeling for water temperature in coastal environments. According to the results, the selection of a dataset as a proxy for seawater temperature requires careful consideration. The present study provides an extensive baseline for evaluating the suitability of the application of specific datasets as proxies in coastal ecosystems.