Keeping an Eye on Earth’s Oceans With Argo Robots

Abstract

Have you ever wondered how scientists know what is happening deep below the surface of the ocean? There are several types of robots that can dive below the sea surface and bring back data from underwater. One type of robot, called an Argo float, moves through the middle depths of the ocean with the currents and comes to the surface once every 10 days, to tell scientists about the information that it has collected. Currently, there are about 4,000 Argo robots keeping an eye on Earth’s oceans every day. These robots measure ocean temperature and saltiness, and some can also monitor more complex chemical and biological parameters. Argo robots provide another tool in an oceanographer’s toolbox, to help scientists understand how the ocean works and how it impacts not only marine life, but also the whole Earth.