Hydrographic Institute launches float in Portimão Argo watching the ocean

On March 5, the first Argo float was launched in Portimão by the Hydrographic Institute on board the Navy ship NRP D Carlos I.

This float will contribute to the Argo International Programme and will integrate the network of more than 3000 floats that autonomously observe the global ocean.

The float launched by the Hydrographic Institute, identified with the code WMO 6990579, is equipped with sensors that measure temperature, salinity and pressure to depths of 2000 meters. The data collected are freely accessible and can be found here: https://fleetmonitoring.euro-argo. i/float/6990579

This launch was carried out under the Memorandum of Understanding between the OH and the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency of Germany (BSH), which aims at cooperation between the two institutions in the launch of floaters Argo in areas of interest in Portuguese waters.

In particular, this float was launched into an oceanographically relevant area - the Portimão Cannon - a region of interest for the study of the Mediterranean Stream and its potential role in the formation of Mediterranean water vortexes, known as Meddies.

With this initiative, the Hydrographic Institute is contributing to global ocean observation and monitoring efforts to better understand and protect it.