Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) Float Data Archive

Abstract

To develop a new observing system for carbon, nutrients, and oxygen that complement and expand on the existing observing system for heat and freshwater, the observations team deploys a large array (~200) of profiling floats with biogeochemical sensors throughout the Southern Ocean. This robotic float observing system is complemented by shipboard measurements, instrument and sensor development, and data analysis, including state estimation in conjunction with the modeling program. Principal responsibility for development and deployment of the observing system are in the hands of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Theme 1 Lead Lynne Talley), in partnership with the University of Washington (Co-Lead Steve Riser) and Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (Associate Director Ken Johnson), who together design and build the floats and participate in analysis of the data. Deployment opportunities with international partners are an important component to the SOCCOM observational program.