Ocean Observing and Climate
LSLTOC Theme 3 - Using Ferries to Make High Resolution Sea Surface Measurements
European GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System) has high-lighted the potential of using ships plying the dense network of ferry routes in European Seas to carry scientific instrumentation measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters (Ferry-Boxes). Ferries work regular routes and so collect data in the systematic way needed for time series analysis and assimilation into numerical models. Ferry-Boxes cost effectively obtain detailed continuous measurements in the upper layer of the ocean, providing essential ground truth for satellite observations and a link to lower temporal resolution subsurface measurements. Measurements of the timing of biological events such as plankton blooms are provided with high accuracy and reduced error. The scale of operations range from acoustic current profiler studies of sediment transport on a 10 km route off the Dutch coast to trans-Atlantic measurements of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (to monitor the exchange of atmospheric C02 with the oceans). Ferry-Box systems are not limited in power and payload so any instrumentation that can work autonomously can be used. Current developments include multi-wave length and fast repetition rate fluorometry to identify algal species and estimate productivity and measurements of bio-gas production. The system provides a test bed for the development autonomous sensors which can be used elsewhere on buoys or floats.
Visit the FerryBox website.
