A group of over 50 researchers have made the case for a new permanent unmanned surface vessel (USV) network to complement the mature and emerging networks within the Global Ocean Observing System
A group of over 50 researchers have made the case for a new permanent unmanned surface vessel (USV) network to complement the mature and emerging networks within the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS).
They have drawn up a blueprint for guiding the global USV community towards an integrated approach to a key ocean observing frontier: the air-sea flux (the interface between the ocean and the atmosphere).
Here, momentum, energy, freshwater and gases are exchanged which drive ocean circulation, the Earth’s energy budget, weather and climate.
Despite its importance, this interface remains minimally observed. At present, there are only 25 air-sea flux moorings distributed globally as part of the OceanSITES GOOS network.
The surface of the ocean can be harsh on technology (high winds, large waves, variable temperatures, rain, snow, currents and ice). Add to that the remoteness of the majority of the world’s oceans and it’s clear why data collection is challenging.
Gaining an understanding of the complex interactions that occur at the air-sea flux requires simultaneous measurement of multiple in-situ co-located variables at a level of accuracy not provided by satellites or numerical models.
This is something USVs are good at, but currently there are large gaps
Content Original Link:
" target="_blank">
