OCB Biogeochemical Profiling Float Workshop
The Biogeochemical (BGC) Float Workshop organised by the US Ocean Carbon & Biogeochemistry project (OCB - https://www.us-ocb.org/) brought together current and potential users of BGC floats to discuss profiling float technology, sensors, data management, quality control, science uses and manufacturer developments. The meeting also held break-out groups to examine how to evolve the use and deployment of BGC float technology, including the BGC Argo programme.
The primary sensors of interest to Euro-Argo for the BGC Argo programme - many of which are already deployed on floats in various European programmes – include dissolved oxygen, nitrate, pH, chlorophyll, optical backscatter and radiometry. The workshop also covered sensors for dissolved organic matter, passive acoustics and more besides.
Some of the key questions discussed at the meeting included:
- the challenge in developing full delayed-mode quality control procedures for all BGC Argo parameters;
- the definition of what makes a float an Argo float – and the benefits and obligations of a float being in the Argo programme;
- developing the model for how best for float PIs/owners/operators to best interact with Argo Data Assembly Centres into the future;
- and how to take the developing BGC Argo array and turn it into a truly global programme with full design coverage.
Representatives from European Argo partners countries included (photo, left to right) Antoine Poteau (France), Hervé Claustre (France), Brian King (UK), Siv Lauvset (Norway), Matt Donnelly (UK), Marta Álvarez (Spain), and Violetta Paba (UK).