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driftViewer: Optimization of drifter trajectory search and export of oceanographic parameters
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Researchers developed driftViewer, a MATLAB software tool that helps scientists track the paths of floating ocean buoys and analyze oceanographic data from large datasets. The tool is directly applicable to studying how microplastics drift through ocean currents, offering a faster way to model where plastic pollution travels and accumulates.
The study and analysis of drifter trajectories, such as buoys and floating devices, have become fundamental to understanding oceanographic phenomena. The detailed analysis of oceanographic parameters using specialized software allows researchers to study environmental changes on different temporal and spatial scales. This article explores the importance and functionalities of this type of software, highlighting its role in improving research methodologies and generating scientific knowledge applicable to oceanography and meteorology. drifViewer is a MATLAB package designed to optimize the search for drift trajectories and analyze oceanographic parameters. It allows researchers to search for drift trajectories in the AOML dataset quickly, create summary tables, and export data to MATLAB and NetCDF formats. driftViewer contributes to scientific research in oceanography and marine geology by improving the ability to model and predict drifting currents, which is essential for studies on climate change, ocean current dynamics, and marine habitat conservation. It is also a useful tool for studying the trajectories of oil slicks, microplastics, and chemical and living species. • Analysis of ocean surface currents. • Optimization of search and data export. • Tool for climate change studies and ocean dynamics. • Application in tracking oil spills, microplastics, and marine species.
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