NOPP Photo of the Month – Argo

The global Argo array pictured shows the 3,258 autonomous profiling CTD floats that make up the Argo observing system and the data from these floats is available in real time and delayed mode (http://www.argo.ucsd.edu/). These free-drifting floats measure temperature and salinity of the upper 2000 m of the ocean.  This FY99 NOPP project, led by Dr. Dean Roemmich of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, was renewed in FY06 to improve and sustain the US component of Argo. In order to maintain the Argo array, it is necessary to replace over 25 percent of the instruments every year. Data from Argo helps scientists document seasonal to decadal climate variability and is also used in coupled ocean-atmosphere forecast models. Approximately 400 floats are added each year.