The Argo Project: Global Ocean Observations for Understanding and Prediction of Climate Variability

Phase 1 (9/99 - 9/02) and Phase 2 (7/00 - 6/02) of US Argo provided a total of 187 CTD profiling floats in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Objectives were to demonstrate technological capabilities for fabrication and for deployment of float arrays in remote ocean locations (Phase 1) and to demonstrate the capability for manufacture and deployment of large float arrays (Phase 2). Recent technology developments in profiling floats were also implemented, including new generation salinity sensors, improved depth capability, and deployment techniques using fast ships and aircraft. Development of the U.S. Argo Data System was part of Phase 1, on a collaborative basis with international partners. Objectives are to make all Argo data publicly available within a day of collection, applying automated quality control procedures consistent with international Argo practices. Data appropriate for research applications and for comparison with climate change models are not available for several months since they need quality control by salinity experts and evaluation of data over many (10 day) float cycles. Phase 3 is a 5-year project (8/01 - 6/06) including full implementation of the US component of Argo. This report includes Phase 3/Year 2, which deployed 290 CTD profiling floats during CY2003 plus support for these deployments, data management activities and for national and international coordination of Argo. Float deployments targeted the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans. Priorities for US float deployment are set by the US Argo Advisory Panel.