Robot Network Watches World's Oceans

A network of 3,000 ocean robots is now monitoring underwater conditions around the globe, according to news from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia.

Dubbed the Argo project, the internationally supported research program is aimed at helping scientists worldwide better monitor changing ocean temperatures and understand the oceans' influence on climate and fisheries. Data on undersea conditions are gathered by a network of five-foot-tall robotic profilers now operating simultaneously in all the world's oceans. The last of the 3,000 Argo units were deployed this month.

"Conceived of just seven years ago by a small group of oceanographers, Argo is maturing to be one of ocean science's great steps forward and one from which all countries can benefit," said Susan Wijffels from CSIRO's Wealth from Oceans research flagship. "Argo will allow us to grapple with some of the big climate questions, as well as provide insight into how the ever-changing ocean weather affects marine ecosystems."

The Argo robots deliver data by satellite to scientists and ocean forecasters every 10 days, providing a detailed view of underwater conditions that were previously hard to monitor. For instance, large spans of the Southern Hemisphere are now being regularly observed for the first time; in the past, ongoing information on ocean conditions there was hard to come by because of the region's remoteness and frequent storms.

Information from the Argo monitors has already helped Australian scientists determine where and how fast the oceans are warming because of rising levels of greenhouse gases. The system is also providing researchers with a new data source to help in ocean forecasting and drought/flood cycle research.

This week, scientists from 26 different countries are meeting in the Australian city of Hobart to discuss how data from the Argo project can be managed smoothly and relayed to national Argo data centers around the world. Argo project participants also need to develop a system for sustained maintenance of the underwater network over the next 10 years.

"The U.S. has committed to maintaining half of the array for the next four years and other contributing countries are striving to enhance the array's strong international nature," said Wijffels. "As more is learned about the floats and their sensors, float lifetimes will be extended, further improving the cost-effectiveness of the program."

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, "Ocean Robots Network Achieves Universal Coverage." URL: (http://www.csiro.au/news/OceanRobotsNetwork.html)