Gaussian anamorphosis extension of the DEnKF for combined state parameter estimation: Application to a 1D ocean ecosystem model

We consider the problem of combined state–parameter estimations in biased nonlinear models with non-Gaussian extensions of the Deterministic Ensemble Kalman Filter (DEnKF). We focus on the particular framework of ocean ecosystem models. Such models present important obstacles to the use of data assimilation methods based on Kalman filtering due to the non-linearity of the models, the constraints of positiveness that apply to the variables and parameters, and the non-Gaussian distribution of the variables in which they result.We present extensions of the DEnKF dealing with these difficulties by introducing a nonlinear change of variables (anamorphosis function) in order to execute the analysis step with Gaussian transformed variables and parameters. Several strategies to build the anamorphosis functions are investigated and compared within the framework of twin experiments realized in a simple 1D ocean ecosystem model. A solution to the problem of the specification of the observation error for transformed observations is suggested. The study highlights the inability of the plain DEnKF with a simple post-processing of the negative values to properly estimate parameters when constraints of positiveness apply to the variables. It goes on to show that the introduction of the Gaussian anamorphosis can remedy these assimilation biases.

► Several strategies to build the Gaussian anamorphosis are investigated.
► The specification of the observation error for transformed observations is suggested.
► Twin experiments are conducted in a simple 1D ecosystem model.
► The DEnKF without anamorphosis functions cannot properly estimate parameters.
► The introduction of the Gaussian anamorphosis can remedy these assimilation biases.