underwater sensors: ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) at 300m depth, a CTD just below the ADCP.
The ADCP buoys measure the current variability along the equator in the warm pool region. JAMSTEC has started this ADCP buoy array in TOCS (Tropical Ocean and Climate Study) programme and will be continued.
4.2 Mid- and high-latitude TRITON buoys
・ Surface buoys
Temperature and salinity sensors will be added for 1000 m, 1250 m and 1500m depths to the above low-latitude buoys. The current meter at 10 m will be eliminated because of increased noise by wave motion.
5. Relation with international programmes
At present, the buoy network known as TAO Array is maintained in the tropical Pacific by PMEL/NOAA, USA, in cooperation with Japan, France, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, etc. JAMSTEC contributes to the maintenance of the buoy array in the western tropical Pacific. The existing TAO array will continue as a major oceanographic infrastructure after the end of TOGA. The buoy network development plan proposed in this paper must also be discussed at international forums and implemented with wholehearted cooperation obtained from interested countries. It goes without saying that such buoy network will play important roles in the international programme of CLIVAR (Climate Variability and Predictability), GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System), and others. It has been agreed between STA of Japan and NOAA of USA to enhance oceanographic observation in the Pacific and to have a panel in UJNR (US-Japan Cooperative Program in Natural Resources). It is a common recognition among oceanographers and meteorologists the world over that the Pacific basin scale observation and research are vital to understanding and preserving the environment of the whole earth. Therefore, we are keenly interested in caning out buoy network plan with full getting international participation and support.
6. Summary
JAMSTEC proposes that a moored-buoy network be developed for observing oceanic and atmospheric variabilities in the Pacific ocean and its adjacent seas in cooperation with other interested Japanese and foreign agencies and institutions. The principal scientific objective is to understand actual ocean circulation and heat transports emphasis on ENSO, Asian monsoon and decadal scale variability that influence climate change in the Pacific and its adjacent seas. In the first phase starting FY1997, the buoy network will be established mainly in the western tropical Pacific. Subsurface ADCP current meter buoys will be continually deployed along the
