Agulhas Return Current Surface Mooring Reference Station

2010年10月，将在阿古拉斯回流赤道以南、东经30°S的38.5°处布设地面系泊设备。该系泊设备将为全球海洋站点时间序列参考站网络以及该地区的各种过程研究做出贡献，包括由美国国家科学基金会资助的由比尔博士(RSMAS)领导的阿古拉当前时间序列实验。系泊设备将携带一套气象传感器，以监测辐射和湍动的海-气热通量、蒸发减去降水和风应力。此外，还将测量表面温度和盐度以及15米长的海流，系泊设备将携带一个用于监测碳通量的海-气二氧化碳系统。所有的测量都将被遥测到岸上，并近乎实时地提供。智力优势：阿古拉斯回流拥有整个南半球发现的最大的海-气热流，因此是一个海-气相互作用强烈的区域。与其他盆地一样，热量由西部边界流(即阿古拉斯流)向极地输送，并随着海流向东反射并向东延伸到南印度洋盆地而释放。尽管平均通量几乎与北半球西部边界流延伸(墨西哥湾流和黑潮延伸)的通量一样大，但非洲大陆的几何形状却有根本的不同：它的终点约为34°S，在西部边界流延伸的赤道以南。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，这些物理现象也会影响海洋在该区域吸收二氧化碳的能力。最终，这些测量将有助于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。广泛的影响：系泊设备将为全球海洋站点时间序列参考站网络做出贡献。将通过项目网页和Ocean Sites数据中心近乎实时地向公众提供数据。已经与ASCLME建立了伙伴关系，ASCLME将提供船期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被用来帮助评估业务天气预报模型以及气候研究中使用的数值预报再分析产品。这些评估可能会改进南部非洲和西南印度洋地区的预测和重新分析。该项目还将有助于各种过程研究，包括由NSF资助的由比尔博士领导的ACT实验，以及由SCOR关于大阿古拉斯系统的气候重要性的第136号工作组协调的其他实地工作。遥测数据将在2011年春季在东非举行的SCOR第136号工作组下一次研讨会上介绍和使用。讲习班将有能力建设的内容，并向来自发展中国家的特邀科学家提供旅行支助。

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.