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| It is well known that the climate in coastal zone is milder than that in inland area, because seawater functions as heat storage. Heat-contained seawater gradually moves vertically and horizontally, by way of wind action, difference in density determined with temperature and salinity, and rotation of the Earth, that could collaterally transports heat and dissolved substances in seawater including CO2 to other surface of the Earth. Phytoplankton produce organic matter by consuming CO2 with photosynthesis process, and a part of organic matter converted from CO2 by phytoplankton will eventually sink, transporting carbon into deep ocean bottom. Temperature and salinity are regarded as the basic physical characteristics of the ocean, and biomass of phytoplankton is one of the key elements in carbon cycle in the ocean. Though Vos data can only cover phenomena on the ocean surface with the limited measuring items, the accumulation of data from consistent observations on the same navigation routes of a Vos will also be effective in understanding the complex mechanism of the oceanic process. The surface water monitoring system deployed by VOS Nippon carries temperature and conductivity sensors. The accuracy of the sensor itself is as follows.
Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured in Asian seas between June 2002 and November 2005 with a fluorometer. The accuracy of the sensor is as follows.
There are subjects that should be further studied to ensure the quality of Vos data. These include validation of sensor accuracy, quantification of influence of ambient environment to seawater delivered to the sensor unit from the sea-chest, and deployment of other new variety of sensors that can be utilized in the existing Vos infrastructure. |
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