Remarkable achievements
during the implementation of China Argo Project
The China Argo Ocean Observing Network Experiment was implemented on January 2002. Under the support of Ministry Of Science and Technology (MOST) and State Oceanic Administration (SOA), the China Argo project has now fulfilled the tasks of Argo floats deploying, real-time data receiving, processing and data application.
Remarkable achievements have been made in the China Argo project's setup and operational running in the following aspects.
1.Set up the China Argo Ocean Observing Network Experiment
Until October 2003, China has deployed 19 Argo profiling floats successfully in the area of northwestern Pacific Ocean and constructed our own Argo ocean observing network frame, and became the important part of the Global Argo Ocean Observing system.
2. Establish the Argo Real-time Data center
Under the support of relative organizations, "the Chinese Argo real-time data center" has been established, and the Chinese Argo website (http://www.Argo.org.cn) has been registered successfully. The broad band LAN has been set up and become the fast access to the outside. We have established the long-term cooperation relations with the Collect Location Satellite (CLS), and registered as name "China’s Argo Project" (program number: 2528).
3. Establish the Argo Real-time quality control system
We have successfully introduced and compiled the Argo real-time/delayed-mode quality control systems. Now the project has the ability to process and calibrate the data obtained from PROVOR and APEX floats. The Argo data through the real-time Quality Control could be issued on the website of “China Argo Real-time Data Center” within 24 hours.
4.Share the Argo Data
After processed timely, the data from the Argo floats deployed by China, as well as the global Argo data were distributed to the users in CD format. Until now, we have distributed about 200 data CD to 45 different organizations and institutes within one year. And the data is issued onto the website of “China Argo Real-time Data Center”.
5.Carry out the study on the application of Argo data
Using the Data from the Argo profiling floats deployed by China and member states of International Argo Program, the study on the application of the data and assimilation experiment in the fields of oceanography and atmosphere was carried out. And a sum of research papers and technical, analysis reports were present. There are 16 papers have been published on the scientific magazines, 2 papers have been exchanged on the First Argo Science Workshop, 6 papers have been exchanged on the domestic or foreign conferences.
6. Become the important member state of International Argo Program
We successfully hosted the 5th International Argo Science Team Meeting in Hangzhou during March 3-6, 2003. There were 54 members from 11 countries participated the meeting. The meeting indicated China‘s big contribution to the International Argo Program, and also highlighted the status of China in the International Argo Program. China therefore became the important member state of the International Argo Program (at present there are 11 countries joined), and one oceanographic scientist became the formal member of the International Argo Science Team.
During the project’s implementation, we published the book named “Introduction to the Global Argo Observation Program”, and assisted to finish the topic program named “Targeting on the Pacific” on China Central Television (CCTV-2). The program comprehensively introduced the progress of the China Argo project, and was broadcasted on Chinese and English Channel. The book and the topic program not only helped the scientists know more about the Argo project but also attracted the public to understand this project.
by Xu Jianping