Impact of Space-Time Sampling: Gliders vs. Profile Floats

In this study, we present ocean heat content/salt content results with and without gliders, in part concentrating on the western North Atlantic, including the continental shelf area where there are typically numerous glider observations.  The impact that the disparity in the number of these two platforms has on the calculation of Upper Ocean Heat Content at NCEI is discussed.  Because gliders (vs. profiling floats)  generally occupy small geographic regions on short time scales, the impact on global estimates vs. local estimates is examined in the context of those two ocean observing systems.  We also look at the impact of NAS UGOS profiling floats vs. non UGOS floats vs. gliders in the Gulf of Mexico.  The NAS program has funded the effort that has resulted in the collection of over 9000 ocean in situ profiles of temperature and salinity since 2019, and the value of those profiles is assessed both in terms of Ocean Heat Content, as well as ocean model forecast skill.  Again, the different space-time sampling of gliders vs. profiling floats is highlighted.  Finally, an overview of fully blended ocean products, including glider observations that come through the IOOS glider DAC to NCEI, Argo, and other observations, is presented.