A Convolution Process for Sea Surface Temperature Hot-Spot Identification in the Mediterranean Sea

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Marchesin, Leonardo, Menafoglio, Alessandra, Secchi, Piercesare
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Marchesin, Leonardo
Menafoglio, Alessandra
Secchi, Piercesare
author_facet Marchesin, Leonardo
Menafoglio, Alessandra
Secchi, Piercesare
contents Sea surface temperature (SST) is a fundamental determinant of global climate dynamics and economic activity. Reliable projections of future SST patterns depend critically on a rigorous characterization of the underlying spatial random field. In this study, we introduce a novel convolution-based covariance framework tailored to geostatistical domains constrained by physical barriers and influenced by vector-driven flows. By discretizing the continuous marine domain into a directed linear network that preserves the orientation of ocean currents, we construct a moving-average stochastic process whose dynamic is encoded via a Markovian transition-probability matrix on the network's vertices. The induced covariance structure emerges as a weighted combination of a spatial kernel and flow-dependent weights, giving rise to a complex estimation problem. To stabilize inference, we propose a penalized estimator that regularizes covariance parameters while enforcing consistency with known hydrodynamic properties. We then embed this covariance model into a Monte Carlo simulation framework to refine RCP-based SST projections and to identify thermal 'hot spots' of heightened ecological risk. Our approach delivers a statistically principled framework that prevents physical inconsistencies -- such as correlations across land barriers -- providing a robust basis for quantifying uncertainty in future SST forecasts and for guiding targeted environmental assessments.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_04921
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A Convolution Process for Sea Surface Temperature Hot-Spot Identification in the Mediterranean Sea
Marchesin, Leonardo
Menafoglio, Alessandra
Secchi, Piercesare
Methodology
Applications
Sea surface temperature (SST) is a fundamental determinant of global climate dynamics and economic activity. Reliable projections of future SST patterns depend critically on a rigorous characterization of the underlying spatial random field. In this study, we introduce a novel convolution-based covariance framework tailored to geostatistical domains constrained by physical barriers and influenced by vector-driven flows. By discretizing the continuous marine domain into a directed linear network that preserves the orientation of ocean currents, we construct a moving-average stochastic process whose dynamic is encoded via a Markovian transition-probability matrix on the network's vertices. The induced covariance structure emerges as a weighted combination of a spatial kernel and flow-dependent weights, giving rise to a complex estimation problem. To stabilize inference, we propose a penalized estimator that regularizes covariance parameters while enforcing consistency with known hydrodynamic properties. We then embed this covariance model into a Monte Carlo simulation framework to refine RCP-based SST projections and to identify thermal 'hot spots' of heightened ecological risk. Our approach delivers a statistically principled framework that prevents physical inconsistencies -- such as correlations across land barriers -- providing a robust basis for quantifying uncertainty in future SST forecasts and for guiding targeted environmental assessments.
title A Convolution Process for Sea Surface Temperature Hot-Spot Identification in the Mediterranean Sea
topic Methodology
Applications
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.04921