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Euro-Argo Research Infrastructure Sustainability and Enhancement

Project description

DEENESFRITPL

Improving the Argo float system

The effects of climate change have increased the need for better observation of the oceans, an asset to life on Earth and many economies. Currently, the Argo system, a set of floats that monitor and share data on global oceans of up to 2 000 metres depth, is the best tool for ocean observation. The EU funded Euro-Argo RISE project aims to improve this system to better fight climate change and its effects, a pressing need recognised by many organisations, including G7 and IPCC. To achieve this, plans have been formulated to expand the fleet of floats to a minimum of 4 000, with a quarter studying biogeochemical parameters and another quarter reaching and monitoring abyssal depths.

Objective

The core Argo system is based on an array of profiling floats which measure every 10 days temperature and salinity throughout the deep global oceans, down to 2000 meters, and deliver data both in real time for operational users and, after careful scientific quality control, for climate change research and monitoring. Argo data policy is fully open and guarantees a free access of the data to all interested users. A new phase of the Argo programme is now being implemented at international level. This new phase has two main objectives: 1/ sustain the existing global array and 2/ extend its capabilities to greater depths and to biogeochemistry. The present target is to maintain a network of at least 4000 floats, with ¼ carrying biogeochemical parameters and ¼ going to abyssal oceans. There is more than ever a pressing need to better observe the oceans. This is recognised at the highest political levels (G7, IPCC and its Special Report on the ocean and cryosphere). Developing Argo and its extensions is, in particular, one the top priorities of the G7 Future of Oceans. The overarching objective of Euro-Argo RISE (Euro-Argo Research Infrastructure Sustainability and Enhancement) is to enhance and extend the capabilities of the Argo network to provide essential ocean observations to answer new societal and scientific challenges. Euro-Argo RISE project is needed now to allow Europe to timely develop the European contribution to this new phase of Argo and engage with new teams. Euro-Argo RISE aims to secure and improve the current network as well as to set up and organise on the long term the new components of the network, extending Argo observations towards biogeochemistry, greater depth, partially ice-covered and shallower water regions within a long-term sustainability plan supported by Member States and funding agencies.

Fields of science

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

H2020-INFRADEV-2018-2020

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Sub call

H2020-INFRADEV-2018-1

Funding Scheme

RIA - Research and Innovation action

Coordinator

EURO-ARGO ERIC
Net EU contribution
€ 536 717,50
Address
Zi de la pointe du diable technopole brest iroise
29280 Plouzane
France

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Region
Bretagne Bretagne Finistère
Links
Other funding
€ 0,00

Participants (20)

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EC signature date 20 November 2018
Last update: 12 October 2022

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/824131

European Union, 2023