JCOMMOPS & Argo, DBCP, SOT, OceanSITES 2 nd GODAE Observing System Evaluation Workshop Toulouse, June 2009 Mathieu Belbeoch & Hester Viola

2 Aims of JCOMMOPS The JCOMM In-situ Observing Platform Support Centre is a component of the international coordination mechanism, which aims on behalf of JCOMM to: –assist as appropriate in the implementation of the GOOS –develop synergies between observing systems –assist in the planning, implementation and operations of the observing systems –monitor and evaluate the performance of the networks –encourage cooperation between communities and member states –encourage data sharing –assist in data distribution on the Internet and GTS –relay user feedback on data quality to platform operators –encourage harmonization of data and instrumentation related practices –provide technical assistance and user support worldwide –act as a clearing house and focal point on all program aspects Assistance, Monitoring, Cooperation...

3 Technical Coordination JCOMMOPS comprises two Technical Coordinators, a ½ time IT person, plus occasionally students on work experience. Office & Information System hosted by CLS, Toulouse Funded through national voluntary contributions (via IOC/WMO) JCOMMOPS is involved with the implementation of different types of in situ observing systems including: –Drifting and moored buoys in the high seas and tropical moorings (DBCP) –XBTs, TSGs, atmospheric soundings from ships, meteorological observations from ships (SOT) –Profiling floats (Argo) –Deep ocean time-series reference stations (OceanSITES) Other programs are supported to a basic level … no resources to sustain this support (Ice tethered profilers, marine mammals, GLOSS)

Developments and reporting tools Interactive maps –Web Map Viewer (GIS) –Google Earth –Google Maps –PDF Layers RT status of the arrays, data distribution status, monitoring products, official platform database (metadata QCed by TCs), routine exports (text, XML), etc. You need information on a platform, a statistic, a map, etc... just ask JCOMMOPS.

5 JCOMMOPS, Argo, DBCP... & GODAE OSE Feedback from data users on requirements (networks design, data issues,...) –Argo Science Workshops –OceanObs’ 09 –Presence at key meetings (next ADMT in Toulouse...) –Products ? Routine feedback from operational centres on data quality: tools to be developed and maintained –DBCP/SOT operational system –Argo being developed (e. g. Altimetry QC by CLS/Coriolis) –JCOMMOPS acts as a centralized relay tool: data users – data producers –Ideas ? JCOMMOPS can help to design, finalize and promote products Continuous demonstration of the value of the arrays –Specific impact studies

6 JCOMMOPS Challenges Clarify access to information and develop a web based toolbox that will be useful in future: “MyJCOMMOPS” Strengthen the infrastructure Fund a new position to work on ships related information

Argo Infrastructure Argo is internationally managed by the Argo Steering Team. 2 co-chairs, National Argo programmes representatives, TC Argo Data Management team coordinates data issues Argo Data Management is a distributed system –National Data Centres (DACs) feed GTS of WMO and Internet GDACs –REAL TIME ( GTS, GDACs) with standard/automatic QC –DELAYED-MODE files replace RT files (GDACs, after 6-12 months) 2 Global Data Centres (USA, FR) - mirrored Regional Centres being developed Long term archival centre at US NODC Argo Information Centre/JCOMMOPS/Argo Project Office 7

Argo Status: what has been achieved ? 8 Argo has achieved the “3000 floats milestone” with global distribution and a comprehensive data management system Argo Core Mission (3200 floats between 60°N and 60°S, no marginal seas)is NOT YET ACHIEVED 600 floats are required in the southern hemisphere

Argo Status: network density 9 Float density (100%=4 floats): good floats only Challenge in South Indian, and South Atlantic

Argo Status: deployment plans 10 Argo groups are making substantial efforts to plan their deployments and optimize the array coverage taking into account network density /age. Implementing an empty ocean ≠ maintaining a global array. All deployments are registered on line from a draft state to the final confirmation/notification.

Argo is the most internationally collaborative program in the history of oceanography 11 A dozen countries are sustaining the global network, another dozen takes care of regional gaps, and many other are supporting Argo.

Argo = logistical challenge Total Ship time is an issue: Sustained funding and cooperation critical 6344 units deployed !

Argo = profiles / year 13 #All Profiles #DM Profiles % optimal quality (but not for all applications) 90 % reach the GTS/GDACs within 24h

Argo: QC issues Salinity Drift: bio-fooling and others reasons DMQC (dedicated working group) Comparison with CTD data, and nearby float data Accuracy of temperature versus pressure –Applications of Argo data for climate change issues requires highest quality possible (heat content, steric sea level change). –Years required to detect small biases (comparison with CTD) –Free data => educate users Recent problem on SBE CTD pressure: most of new deployments will be postponed … 14

Argo: QC issues DM QC time consuming activity (resources required): 67% achieved 15

Argo is revolutionizing global oceanography and its impact will be greatest in the southern hemisphere where there are large climate signals and there is little historical data August XBT profiles (> 300m, source: WOD) August hydrographic T/S stations (> 1000m, source: WOD) August Argo T,S profiles

Argo benefits 17 Operational use: requirements for long term 14 Operational Centres using Argo data Research applications growing Training Workshops Capacity building initiatives on data use Argo has enormous potential value in education applications. Google Ocean & Argo partnership network status (gateway) products (T, S, anomalies) stories by oceanographers climate change focus To be extended to other networks monitored by JCOMMOPS.

Argo Float Technology: float reliability improving 18 Still room for improvement: all floats do not reach yet the 4 years lifetime This target will likely be reached and exceeded This will help to fill gaps … without deploying more floats 45% of floats deployed in 2004 are still active at age 4+ years. Deployment failure rate: 2.5 %

Argo Float Technology: Telecom. slowly improving 19 ~8% of deployments with Iridium (2007, 2008) – Argos 3 pilot projects started More are anticipated in 2009 (Australia)

Argo Float Technology: Cycles rather homogeneous 20 80% of the fleet is set up to drift at 1000 dbar as decided by the AST 70 % to profile at a depth > 1500 dbar 80 % to cycle on a 9-11 days basis

Argo Float Technology: new designs, new sensors 21 New generation floats are longer-lived, smaller, and more capable. Extended domains are being explored or considered: under ice, marginal seas, boundary currents, abyssal ocean. New sensors are being developed and tested (oxygen, bio-optical, surface layer, …) At present ~150 Argo floats carry dissolved oxygen sensors. First floats are providing SST (at no cost). This is likely to be extended to all floats. Left to right: SOLO/SOLO-II w/Iridium, ARVOR, PROVOR w/optical sensor, APEX w/SBE oxygen sensor.

Argo Objectives Objectives for the Argo Program in the coming years related to array performance are: Achieve mean float lifetimes of 4 years or longer, needed to sustain the core Argo array with 800 floats deployed per year. Deploy more floats in the southern hemisphere to achieve the array’s design requirements. Extend instrument capabilities for profiling to 2000 m everywhere in the oceans. Sustain funding (Argo is 20% underfunded) What should be Argo‘s sampling plan for high latitudes or marginal seas ? Should Argo sample the deep ocean ? Should Argo be denser in all WBC regions ?

87% Total in situ networksFebruary % 59% 81% 62% 73% 34%48% Initial Global Ocean Observing System for Climate Status against the GCOS Implementation Plan and JCOMM targets 100% Milestones Drifters 2005 Argo 2007

Goal Initial Ocean Observing System Milestones Tide Gauges Real-time Stations Initial GCOS Subset Surface Drifting Buoys Tropical Moored Buoys Ships of Opportunity Argo Floats Reference Stations Arctic System Ocean Carbon Network High resolution and frequently repeated lines occupied Number of floats Number of moorings Number of buoys Repeat Sections Committed, One inventory per 10 years Number of observatories, flux, and ocean transport stations Ice buoys, drifting and Moored stations Total System Goal System % Complete Index Progress Toward Global Coverage (representative milestones) Initial Targets 16

25 JCOMMOPS Status Map