intensity of light scattered from phytoplankton. We have repeated the validation of the ocean LIDAR over the equatorial Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea through the bio-optical cruises. We could detect the top of the chlorophyll maximum in the equatorial upwelling, where the chlorophyll maximum was at a depth of 50m. We conducted the cruise jointly with Prof. Marlon Lewis of Dalhousie University.
2.3 Mooring Buoy Network
In order to understand water ocean circulation and heat transports that influence climate change, we need to collect data on currents, temperature and salinity in the upper ocean over a long period of time. We started the buoy design and will conducted field test in the spring of 1996. The first deployment will be started in FY 1997 in the western tropical Pacific Ocean. In the development phase, we exchanged buoy technology information with PMEL, NDBC/NOAA, and WHOI.
JAMSTEC developed two fully automated ice-ocean buoys for Arctic observation with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. This buoy has been furnished with many sensors to observe meteorological, glaciological, biogeochemical and oceanographic parameters in the 100 m thick surface layer and has been deployed on a stable, sufficiently thick ice floe. The observed data has been transmitted via The ARGOS satellite transmission system. The first one was deployed in the Canadian Gyre off Alaska in April 1992 and is still telling us its position. The second one was deployed in the Transpolar Drift close to the North Pole in April 1995 and was recoded in November 1995 after completing successful observations. This buoy program was originally a part of the SCF program. However, we are thinking of incorporating it in to JAMSTEC's own program.
2.4 Remote Sensing
Japan has launched earth observation satellites and thoroughly applied their data in combination with the data of foreign satellites, applications have included infrared observation of sea surface temperature, visible observation of chlorophyll pigment and microwave observation of sea surface temperature, sea surface wind and sea ice. Japan has launched the ADEOS-I satellite which carries the Ocean Color Thermal Scanners, NASA/Scatterometer, etc., in collaboration with US and other foreign countries. JAMSTEC has participated in this program by proposing sensor design and developing analytical algorithms in conjunction with other laboratories. Japan will also launch the ADEOS-II satellite in 1999. JAMSTEC proposed some design parameters and analytical algorithms, however, JAMSTEC plans to develop an airborne, six-frequency microwave radiometer with NASA/GSFC for the sea truth experiment for the Advanced Scanning Microwaves Radiometer (AMSR) on board ADEOS-II are for a fundamental study of the ocean environment from the equatorial Pacific up to the Arctic Oceans. Japan also plans to launch the TRMM satellite with the US. This satellite should