IMOS - Argo Profiles - core data

Australian Argo profiles collected since 2000 monitor temperature, salinity, and pressure down to 2000 meters every 10 days in real time. The data covers oceans in the southern hemisphere worldwide and is managed by the Australian Ocean Data Network. A typical float mission involves profiling from 2000m depth to the sea surface, transmitting data via satellite after each ascent.

Use Cases

• Modeling ocean heat content and thermal expansion based on temperature profiles down to 2000m.
• Analyzing salinity patterns and freshwater fluxes in the Southern Hemisphere oceans.
• Studying float mission longevity and performance based on the described 3.7 to 9-year operational lifetimes.
• Tracking ocean current drift patterns using the 9-day drift phase at 1000m depth described in the float cycle.

Strengths

• Data collection spans over two decades, starting from the year 2000.
• Profiles measure three core ocean variables (temperature, salinity, pressure) to a depth of 2000 meters.
• Float lifetimes in the Australian program are noted to often last 5 years, with some approaching 9 years.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The collection provides only core physical data; biogeochemical parameters require accessing a separate dataset.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network (AODN) via the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS).

Collection Method

Data collected by autonomous profiling Argo floats that ascend through the water column and transmit via satellite.

Time Range

Since 2000.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-07-13 20:10:49.841344; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Oceans in the southern hemisphere worldwide, with a focus on waters around Australia.