Innovative Tools for Understanding Marine Heatwaves
We are thrilled to announce the arrival of 5 Argo floats in New Caledonia as part of the MaHeWa-OO project (LEFE/GMMC). These high-precision instruments will enable monitoring of the vertical structure of marine heatwaves around New Caledonia.
What is an Argo Float?
An Argo float is an autonomous oceanographic instrument designed to measure temperature, salinity, and pressure of ocean waters down to depths of 2,000 meters. These floats drift with ocean currents at 1,000 meters and perform regular cycles of diving and surfacing, collecting essential data on the water column. Once at the surface, they transmit this information via satellite to data centers, enabling continuous, real-time ocean monitoring.
Why Use Argo Floats in the MaHeWa Project?
Marine heatwaves—periods when ocean temperatures exceed seasonal norms—pose a growing threat to marine ecosystems. With Argo floats, the MaHeWa project aims to document the vertical structure of these extreme events by collecting precise data on temperature and salinity variations at depth. These observations will improve the ability to anticipate the impacts of marine heatwaves on marine ecosystems inhabiting the water column.
Strategic and Scientific Deployment
The deployment of these floats will be strategically targeted to cover various types and seasons of marine heatwaves. Special programming, with frequent profiles in the top 500 meters, will closely monitor the spatial and temporal evolution of these events, providing critical information for local decision-makers and managers.
These floats, deployed opportunistically from vessels present in New Caledonia, will also contribute to strengthening the global international network (https://argo.ucsd.edu/).
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