AST-12 meeting report posted - Argo

FR 162 2.53
JAP 278 2.19
KOREA 91 1.87
GER 152 1.85
NETH 31 1.85
UK 104 1.70
INDIA 83 0.07
CHINA 45 0.03
With the meeting being held in Argentina, the TC invited other South American countries to help
in a regional effort. It was learned in the meeting that Brazil is working to contribute to Argo with
about 30 floats via a multi-disciplinary project.
The TC remarked then that after a drop in 2009/2010, Argo was finally approaching its initial
target with the “core mission” being 90% achieved, noting some progress compared to 2010
(85%).
He asked the AST if an “expanded Argo” could be feasible, with about 4000 floats, including
high latitudes and main marginal seas.
The challenge for Argo in 2011/2012 will be to address the 2009 year deficit in deployments
(300 units).
Deployment / year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Arctic Ocean 0 7 1 0 5 5 1 8 12 10 10
Atlantic Ocean 65 97 148 190 243 307 301 165 284 139 269
Indian Ocean 13 24 106 124 158 113 149 139 144 147 155
Mediterranean Sea 6 4 9 13 18 17 12 7 11 11 5
Pacific Ocean 32 163 188 345 446 566 470 431 432 228 368
Southern Ocean (< - 0 16 76 145 242 336 254 239 270 148 306
30°)
Total 116 295 452 672 870 1008 933 750 883 535 807
The TC then presented the density of the array. He reminded the AST how vital the notification
procedure was to plan all deployments via the central AIC interface so the strategy can be
optimized to fill the existing and anticipated gaps.
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