Argo (oceanography)
Argo is a global array of over 3,000 autonomous profiling floats that measure the temperature and salinity of the upper 2000 meters of the ocean. These floats drift with ocean currents and periodically descend to a pre-programmed depth, then rise to the surface while measuring temperature and salinity. Upon surfacing, the floats transmit their data via satellite to shore-based data centers.
The Argo program provides near real-time data that is freely available to researchers, educators, and operational weather and climate centers worldwide. This data is crucial for monitoring the state of the ocean, understanding its role in climate variability, and improving weather and climate forecasts.
Argo is a major component of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). The program is a collaborative effort, with contributions from over 30 countries. The floats are typically deployed from research vessels or commercial ships.
The data collected by Argo floats are used in a wide range of applications, including:
- Monitoring ocean temperature and salinity changes
- Validating climate models
- Improving weather forecasts
- Studying ocean currents
- Assessing the impact of climate change on the ocean
- Supporting fisheries management
The Argo program has significantly improved our understanding of the ocean and its role in the climate system. The continuous and global data provided by the Argo array is essential for monitoring the health of the ocean and predicting future climate changes. The floats are designed to operate for several years, providing a long-term record of ocean conditions. They are typically powered by batteries and their lifespan depends on the frequency of their profiling cycles.