CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
Past Seminars

Friday 26 March 2004, 11.30 am (Tas time)

CSIRO Auditorium, Hobart and via videoconference to Floreat and Cleveland

Susan Wijffels
CSIRO Marine Research

All about Argo or "What is that yellow tube-thing in the CSIRO Hobart lobby?"

The oceans are difficult to observe, especially those south of the equator where landmasses are few, populations are low and most countries are poor. However, due to the increasing recognition of the ocean’s role in climate variability and change, and the need to better manage ocean resources, many countries now realize the imperative to monitor the oceans globally.

Satellite technology allows us to observe the surface of the oceans from space both routinely and globally. Now, the recent development of stable ocean sensors and autonomous profiling floats has made it possible to do the same for the subsurface ocean.

Argo is the first attempt to routinely monitor the subsurface ocean globally and in real time. It represents a true revolution in our ability to observe the oceans and their variability, especially the remote and poorly understood ocean regions around Australia. Presently there are over 1,100 Argo floats operating (35% of the target density) which are delivering 3,300 ocean profiles per month.

In this talk I will describe the technology underpinning Argo, the aims and status of the global program, Australia’s role and how we may benefit from Argo. To learn about the Argo program and get the data (freely available), visit www.argo.ucsd.edu

 

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