AST-12 meeting report posted - Argo

The carbon-explorer float is dedicated to carbon flux studies. It emphasizes (1) sensors
allowing quantification of various particle carbon pools and (2) on mission configuration (e.g.
resolving the diel cycle of these variables to infer carbon fluxes).
Finally, the Bio-Argo float is proposed as a rather simple float with respect to optical package
[Chla fluorescence, backscattering (proxy of POC)] that could become part of the Argo array,
respecting the core Argo mission rules. Optimally, these measurements should be associated
to other key variables whose measurements are already implemented and operational, or
nearly so, on floats (i.e. O2, NO3). The purpose of such floats is to increase the profile density
of these variables that are of great biogeochemical / ecosystem relevance. Presently the Bio-
Argo community is growing steadily with ~150 floats (already funded) to be deployed within the
next 18 months. The community is also highly involved in the various aspects of data
management and QC. Presently, a prototype of real-time QC for Chla has been developed
and implemented at Coriolis. Delayed-mode QC is on the way. The community wishes to
participate to the future ADMT meetings to progressively interact and develop synergy with the
Argo community at the early stage of Bio-Argo development.
The submitted report to IOCCG can be obtained from Hervé Claustre. A summary of it was
presented as a community white paper at the OceanObs09 conference ().
Dean Roemmich welcomed the report and said that scientists within Argo would really like to
embrace Bio-Argo and see that it happens, but there are a couple concerns to be addressed
before that can happen. The first concern is data management and how can Argo and Bio-
Argo work together to ensure that data management costs for new sensors do not eat away at
Argo’s core data management costs. H. Claustre said that a person is being hired to work full
time on data management with Coriolis. The second concern is EEZs and how to deal with
floats equipped with bio sensors that drift into EEZs. A discussion followed with no clear
outcomes, but with agreement that this issue needs to be explored more within the Bio-Argo
community.
Action item 6: AST co-chairs to write letter to BioArgo and IOCCG: the AST welcomed
the report of the BioArgo group, consistent with the recommended Argo enhancements from
OceanObs’09, and endorses the continued development of the technology, data management
and the plans in consultation with the AST. AST co-chairs.
4.10 AIC and JCOMM Observing Program Support Centre
M. Belbeoch, the AIC/JCOMMOPS manager, reported on the development of the centre. The
AST welcomed the new financial support from Japan (JAMSTEC) to the infrastructure. The TC
recalled the centre mandate, services, and updated the AST on the staff turnover that was
affecting JCOMMOPS functioning. He mentioned that his main collaborator (the
DBCP/OceanSITES TC) left JCOMMOPS in August 2010 and the position should be renewed
in August 2011.
Nevertheless, the I.T team was strengthened by the arrival of an intern at JCOMMOPS in
November (for two years). The team is now fully productive and the Google Earth application is
a good example of the progress done.
AST members strongly requested the TC to ensure a regular maintenance of the float database,
crucial for implementation planning. The AST requested the TC make the necessary
developments to finalize the “EEZ warning system” so that implementers have a minimum of
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