Agulhas Return Current Surface Mooring Reference Station

2010年10月，将在北纬38.5°，东经30°的Agulhas回流（ARC）赤道方向部署一个地面系泊系统。该系泊将有助于建立oceanansites时间序列参考站的全球网络，也有助于该地区的各种过程研究，包括由美国国家科学基金会资助的Beal博士（RSMAS）领导的Agulhas当前时间序列实验。该系泊将携带一套气象传感器，用于监测辐射和湍流空气-海洋热通量、蒸发减降水和风应力。此外，将测量表面温度、盐度和15米洋流，系泊将携带一个空气-海洋二氧化碳分压系统，用于监测碳通量。所有的测量结果都将被遥测到岸上，并在接近实时的情况下提供。学术价值：在整个南半球，阿古拉斯回流有一些最大的海气热通量，因此是一个海气相互作用强烈的地区。与其他盆地一样，热量由西部边界流（即阿古拉斯流）向极地携带，并在洋流反射并向东延伸至南印度洋盆地时释放出来。虽然平均通量几乎与北半球的西边界流延伸（墨西哥湾流和黑潮延伸）一样大，但非洲大陆的几何形状却根本不同：它终止于西边界流向赤道的约34°S。需要ARC参考站来量化海气热通量并了解导致海洋和大气之间不平衡的物理现象，这些物理现象也影响海洋在该区域吸收二氧化碳的能力。最终，这些测量将使我们更好地了解区域和全球的热平衡以及海洋吸收二氧化碳的速度。更广泛的影响：系泊将有助于建立oceanansites时间序列参考站的全球网络。数据将通过项目网页和OceanSITES数据中心以近乎实时的方式公开。与ASCLME建立了伙伴关系，ASCLME将提供航运时间，并帮助将该项目与非洲国家气象局联系起来。来自ARC参考站系泊的数据将用于帮助评估业务天气预报模型以及用于气候研究的NWP再分析产品。这些评估可能会改善南部非洲和西南印度洋区域的预报和重新分析。该项目还将促进各种过程研究，包括由Beal博士领导的NSF资助的ACT实验，以及由SCOR第136工作组协调的关于大阿古拉斯系统气候重要性的其他实地工作。遥测数据将在2011年春季在东非举行的SCOR工作组第136次研讨会上提出并使用。该研讨会将有一个能力建设元素，为来自发展中国家的受邀科学家提供旅行支持。

A surface mooring will be deployed at 38.5°S, 30°E, equatorward of the Agulhas Return Current (ARC) in October 2010. The mooring will contribute to the global network of OceanSITES time series reference stations, and also to various process studies in the region, including the NSF funded Agulhas Current Time Series experiment led by Dr. Beal (RSMAS). The mooring will carry a suite of meteorological sensors to monitor the radiative and turbulent air-sea heat fluxes, evaporation minus precipitation, and wind stress. In addition, surface temperature and salinity and 15-m currents will be measured, and the mooring will carry an air-sea pCO2 system for monitoring the carbon flux. All measurements will be telemetered to shore and made available in near-real time.Intellectual merit: The Agulhas Return Current has some of the largest air-sea heat fluxes found in the entire Southern Hemisphere, and thus is a region of intense air-sea interaction. As with other basins, heat is carried poleward by the western boundary current (i.e. the Agulhas Current) and is released as the current retroflects and extends eastward into the South Indian Ocean basin. Although the mean fluxes are almost as large as in the western boundary current extensions (WBCE) of the Northern Hemisphere (Gulf Stream and Kuroshio Extension), the geometry of the African landmass is fundamentally different: it terminates at about 34°S, equatorward of the WBCE. The ARC reference station is needed to quantify the air-sea heat fluxes and understand the physics leading to the disequilibrium between the ocean and atmosphere, physics that also affect the ability of the ocean to uptake carbon dioxide in this region. Ultimately, these measurements will lead to a better understanding of the regional and global heat balance and the rate at which the ocean is absorbing carbon dioxide.Broader impacts: The mooring will contribute to the global network of OceanSITES time series reference stations. Data will be made publicly available in near-real time through the project web pages and through OceanSITES data centers. Partnerships have been formed with ASCLME, who will provide shiptime and help connect the project to African National Weather Services. Data from the ARC reference station mooring will be used to help assess operational weather prediction models as well as NWP re-analyses products used in climate studies. These assessments will likely lead to improved forecasts and re-analyses in the southern African and southwestern Indian Ocean region. The project will also contribute to various process studies, including the NSF funded ACT experiment led by Dr. Beal and other fieldwork coordinated by the SCOR Working Group #136 on the Climatic Importance of the Greater Agulhas System. The telemetered data will be presented and used at the next SCOR WG #136 workshop, to be held in East Africa in Spring 2011. The workshop will have a capacity building element, with travel support provided to invited scientists from developing nations.