Southern Ocean Observing System

Southern Ocean Observing System. The Southern Ocean Observing System is a globally coordinated initiative designed to sustain long-term observations of the Southern Ocean. It was formally established in 2011 under the auspices of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research and in partnership with major global programs like the World Climate Research Programme. Its primary mission is to address critical gaps in understanding the ocean's role in Earth's climate system and its unique ecosystems.

Overview

The system represents a strategic response to the recognized data scarcity and logistical challenges of operating in the remote and hostile environment of the Southern Ocean. It builds upon and integrates existing observational efforts conducted by nations such as Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom through their respective Antarctic programs. The initiative is structured to provide a continuous, multidisciplinary data stream, informing major international assessments like those of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. By creating a sustained observing network, it aims to transform the Southern Ocean from one of the least observed to a cornerstone of global ocean observation.

Key components

The observing system integrates a diverse array of platforms and technologies. These include a network of Argo floats and deep-ocean profiling floats, which measure temperature and salinity across the water column. Satellite remote sensing from agencies like NASA and the European Space Agency provides synoptic views of sea surface conditions and ice extent. Ship-based research voyages, such as those conducted by the R/V Investigator or RRS Sir David Attenborough, deliver critical in-situ data. Additional components include autonomous underwater vehicles like SeaGlider, moored arrays with instruments for measuring currents and biogeochemistry, and animal-borne sensors deployed on species like southern elephant seals.

Scientific objectives

Core scientific goals are focused on quantifying the Southern Ocean's influence on global heat and carbon dioxide uptake, which directly moderates the pace of climate change. A major objective is to understand the processes controlling the formation and modification of Antarctic Bottom Water, a key driver of global ocean circulation. The system also seeks to monitor changes in the Antarctic ice sheet and the stability of ice shelves like the Ross Ice Shelf. Furthermore, it aims to assess the impacts of environmental change on marine ecosystems, including krill populations and higher predators, supporting the work of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

International collaboration

Implementation relies on unprecedented international cooperation, coordinated through the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research and its parent body, the International Science Council. Key partners include the World Climate Research Programme's Climate and Ocean: Variability, Predictability and Change project and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. National Antarctic programs, including those of Germany (Alfred Wegener Institute), Japan (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology), China (Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration), and South Africa, contribute ships, instruments, and data. This collaborative framework ensures shared protocols, open data policies, and the efficient use of resources across the international community.

Challenges and future directions

Significant challenges include the extreme cost and danger of operations in regions like the Drake Passage and near the Antarctic continental shelf, along with the harsh polar conditions that limit instrument deployment and longevity. Securing long-term funding from entities like the National Science Foundation and the European Commission remains a persistent hurdle. Future directions emphasize enhancing autonomous observing technologies, increasing spatial coverage in under-sampled areas, and better integrating biological and ecological observations. The system also aims to strengthen ties with modeling centers, such as the Met Office, to improve predictions of sea level rise and changes in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

Category:Oceanography Category:Antarctica Category:Climate change organizations