TT6: Oceanic campaigns and measurements from open Ocean (EOP and SOP)

TT-leaders: Bernard Bourlès, Robert L. Molinari, Peter Brandt

Detailed information: TT6 document: Oceanic campaigns and measurements from open Ocean (EOP and SOP) (latest update: 16.05.2006, pdf, 1.4 MB)

The oceanographic observations of AMMA will support the land and atmospheric measurements during the three observing periods: Long term Observing Period, Enhanced Observing Period, and Special Observing Period.

Detailed scientific rationale for these data is given in both international and national AMMA documents (e.g., French API, EU, US). Specifically, the TT6 aims to provide needed measurements for:

• the study of processes that determine seasonal to interannual variability of observed sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface salinity (SSS), mixed layer depth and heat content, in the Tropical Atlantic and in the Gulf of Guinea, and their linkage with West African land surface conditions;
• the study of processes that determine the seasonal evolution of the cold tongue - Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) - West African Monsoon (WAM) system.
• the study of both ocean and atmosphere boundary layers and air-sea exchanges;
• the validation of models, satellite data and products.