First Portuguese Argo Float
2025-07-30 (IPMA)
The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) is the national focal point for the International Argo Programme, an ocean observation network that is part of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). The Argo Programme operates a network of around 4,000 autonomous floats distributed throughout the Global Ocean. These floats measure temperature, salinity, pressure, and ocean currents down to depths of 2,000 meters, transmitting data in near real-time via satellite.
Currently, the programme collects about 13,000 temperature and salinity profiles each month, which greatly exceeds the amount of subsurface ocean data that can be gathered by any other method. IPMA has previously deployed floats belonging to programmes from other countries, such as Argo France and Argo Ireland, off the Portuguese coast, as part of international collaboration.
On 21 July, an IPMA team successfully launched the first Portuguese Argo float, acquired under the Argo.PT Programme, which represents Portugal’s national contribution to the International Argo Programme. The float was deployed by IPMA researchers and technicians aboard the scientific sailing vessel SVLibries, with technical and logistical support from Blue Geo Lighthouse (BiGLe), which owns the vessel.
The float was launched in the Setúbal Canyon, approximately 25 nautical miles southwest of Cabo Espichel, in waters deeper than 2,000 meters. This joint effort between IPMA and BiGLe highlights the importance of collaboration between public institutions and private entities in promoting Portuguese scientific excellence in support of Ocean sustainability.
With this initiative, Portugal takes a decisive step forward in contributing to global ocean monitoring efforts, strengthening national scientific and operational capacity for systematic and continuous observation of the marine environment. This information is essential to better understand the role of the ocean in Earth's climate system, enabling more accurate predictions of future climate change, and improving operational weather and ocean forecasts, as well as climate models.
Acknowledgements:
- This Argo float was acquired under the project “OBSERVA.PT - Observations on board national commercial ships to support the conservation of marine biodiversity in the Portuguese Seas”(MAR-01.04.02-FEAMP-0002), funded by Mar2020 Programme;
- The deployment of the float was funded in the frame of the project “MSFD-Marine Strategy Framework Directive” (MAR-014.7.2-FEAMPA-00004), funded by Mar2030 Programme;
- IPMA extends its thanks for the excellent cooperation with BiGLe and the ER Libries crew, namely Commanders João Fonseca Ribeiro and Pedro Carmona, and Pedro Mesquita, as well as the French team from Euro-Argo ERIC onshore, including Noé Poffa, Romain Cancouet, Sophie Van Ganse, Vincent Bernard, and Delphine Dobler.
Imagens associadas
The first Portuguese Argo float after its deployment from SV Libries
On board scientific sailing vessel SV Libries
The team that deployed the first Portuguese Argo float (from left to right): Pedro Carmona, João Fonseca Ribeiro, Paulo Barata, Rita Esteves, Pedro Mesquita and Miguel Santos
Deployment location (1-D) of the first Portuguese Argo float and of the first profile
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Copyright © Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere 2025
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