Argo floats

The first Argo floats were deployed in 2000 and the array consisted of a combination of P-ALACE and PROVOR floats as part of the international co-operative effort. Initially, the array provided CTD profile data and subsurface ocean current data but continued development means that the current technology of newly deployed floats includes a growing range of sensors including, for example, oxygen probes, CO2, nitrate, chlorophyll and backscatter sensors.

Scientists and engineers continue to work together to enhance sensor stability, float battery life, and communication bandwidth (therefore enabling higher resolution data to be transmitted) thus maintaining the current and exciting science contribution that Argo makes to global oceanography. The initial programme goal of deploying 3000 floats was achieved in 2007 and the millionth profile was reached in 2012.