Pilot Study for the Inclusion of Active Optical Sensors into Apex Floats

The goal of this pilot study is to test the use of a new generation of low drag, low power, active optical sensors on Apex floats, similar to those used in the ARGO program. Measurements of chlorophyll a fluorescence and scattering of particles in the backward direction will provide estimates of phytoplankton biomass and particulate concentration (which in the open ocean is mostly from biogenic sources).

The major objective of this proposal is to demonstrate to the physical oceanographic community that measurements of critical interest to understanding the global carbon cycle can be made without compromising the quality of the physical measurements or the ARGO mission requirements. Without the physical oceanographic community's consent and endorsement, there is little hope of obtaining biogeochemical measurements within the AGRO program.

We believe that the ARGO program, in which thousands of floats will be deployed in the world's oceans, provides a unique opportunity to improve our understanding of the global carbon, particularly at subsurface depths inaccessible to observations by satellite. This program is in partnership with Dr. Riser of the University of Washington and with Dr. Zaneveld and Casey Moore of WetLabs.