PROBLEM 



Develop statistical, physical, and computer techniques for interpreting, 

 summarizing, and extrapolating oceanic and meteorologic data for reliable 

 estimation of the sound velocity distribution in the ocean. Specifically, perform 

 autocorrelation, regression, and trend analyses of six time-series of daily sea- 

 surface temperatures. Compensate for missing data in the time-series. Examine 

 the randomness of mean annual temperatures, and of amplitudes and phases 

 descriptive of annual variations in temperature. 



RESULTS 



Analysis of records of sea-surface temperatures taken in the North 

 Atlantic and North Pacific and up to 40 years in length has led to the following 

 conclusions: 



1. The autocorrelation statistics indicate the existence of an oscilla- 

 tory function with period 1 year in the records and, for most stations, an oscil- 

 latory function with period 0.5 year. There is no evidence of functions with 

 shorter periods. _ 



2. For all stations considered, a regression model containing annual 

 and semiannual oscillatory terms (sines and cosines) provides a good statistical 

 fit to the observed daily temperatures. The analysis compensates for missing 

 data. 



3. No trends exist in the sequences of annual mean temperatures, or in 

 the sequences of amplitudes and phases describing the regression functions. 

 However, there are significant differences among the annual mean temperatures. 

 The behavior of the annual means, amplitudes, and phases is typical of random 

 statistical variables. 



RECOMMENDATIONS 



Examine the results of this report from an oceanographic point of view. 

 Specifically, answer the following questions: 



MBL/WHOr 



D3D1 ODMDSlb 3 



