1Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR 7093,
Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche (LOV), 181 Chemin du
Lazaret, 06230 Villefranche-sur-mer, France
2Plymouth Marine Laboratory, PL1 3DH Plymouth, UK
3Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, UMS
3455, OSU Ecce-Terra, Paris, France
4School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
5National Centre for Earth Observation, Plymouth Marine Laboratory,
PL1 3DH Plymouth, UK
6ACRI-ST, 260 route du Pin Montard, 06904 Sophia-Antipolis, France
7ERIC Euro-Argo, 29280 Plouzané, France
8Department of Earth and Oceanographic Science, Bowdoin College,
Brunswick, Maine, USA
9State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration,
Hangzhou, 310012, China
1Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR 7093,
Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche (LOV), 181 Chemin du
Lazaret, 06230 Villefranche-sur-mer, France
2Plymouth Marine Laboratory, PL1 3DH Plymouth, UK
3Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, UMS
3455, OSU Ecce-Terra, Paris, France
4School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
5National Centre for Earth Observation, Plymouth Marine Laboratory,
PL1 3DH Plymouth, UK
6ACRI-ST, 260 route du Pin Montard, 06904 Sophia-Antipolis, France
7ERIC Euro-Argo, 29280 Plouzané, France
8Department of Earth and Oceanographic Science, Bowdoin College,
Brunswick, Maine, USA
9State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration,
Hangzhou, 310012, China
Received: 18 Jun 2017 – Discussion started: 13 Jul 2017 – Revised: 05 Oct 2017 – Accepted: 10 Oct 2017 – Published: 22 Nov 2017
Abstract. Since 2012, an array of 105 Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) floats has been deployed across the world's oceans to assist in filling observational gaps that are required for characterizing open-ocean environments. Profiles of biogeochemical (chlorophyll and dissolved organic matter) and optical (single-wavelength particulate optical backscattering, downward irradiance at three wavelengths, and photosynthetically available radiation) variables are collected in the upper 1000 m every 1 to 10 days. The database of 9837 vertical profiles collected up to January 2016 is presented and its spatial and temporal coverage is discussed. Each variable is quality controlled with specifically developed procedures and its time series is quality-assessed to identify issues related to biofouling and/or instrument drift. A second database of 5748 profile-derived products within the first optical depth (i.e., the layer of interest for satellite remote sensing) is also presented and its spatiotemporal distribution discussed. This database, devoted to field and remote ocean color applications, includes diffuse attenuation coefficients for downward irradiance at three narrow wavebands and one broad waveband (photosynthetically available radiation), calibrated chlorophyll and fluorescent dissolved organic matter concentrations, and single-wavelength particulate optical backscattering. To demonstrate the applicability of these databases, data within the first optical depth are compared with previously established bio-optical models and used to validate remotely derived bio-optical products. The quality-controlled databases are publicly available from the SEANOE (SEA scieNtific Open data Edition) publisher at https://doi.org/10.17882/49388 and https://doi.org/10.17882/47142 for vertical profiles and products within the first optical depth, respectively.
Autonomous robotic platforms such as Biogeochemical-Argo floats allow observation of the ocean, from the surface to the interior, in a new and systematic way. A fleet of 105 of these platforms have collected several biological, biogeochemical, and optical variables in still unexplored regions. The quality-controlled databases presented here will enable scientists to improve knowledge on the functioning of marine ecosystems and investigate the climatic implications.
Autonomous robotic platforms such as Biogeochemical-Argo floats allow observation of the ocean,...