The XBT network consists of transects across all ocean basins where eXpendable BathyThermographs (XBTs) are used to collect temperature observations of the upper 1km of the ocean. The XBTs are deployed from research vessels and ships of the Ship Of Opportunity Program (SOOP).
The transects are sampled in two modes: Frequentyly repeated (FR) and High Density (HD):
Frequently Repeated XBT Transects
AOML operates a global XBT Program that utilizes approximately 30 ships of the SOOP to monitor 6 transects in the Pacific and 5 transects in the Atlantic in frequently repeated mode. Go
High Density XBT Transects
The objectives of the 5 high density transects in the Atlantic are to measure the upper ocean thermal structure in the center of the subtropical gyre, to investigate the meridional structure of the subtropical gyre and Gulf Stream, and to characterize both the mean and the time-dependent upper ocean properties of the tropical portion of the Meridional Overturning Circulation and of the shallow Subtropical Cell in the Tropical Atlantic. Go
All XBT transects are reviewed through an international consortium with oversight by the SOOP Implementation Panel (SOOPIP). Some transects include time series with more than 30 years of data.
Related Projects
AMVER-SEAS
AMVER-SEAS is a real-time ship and environmental data acquisition and transmission system. The AMVER-SEAS software acquires atmospheric, oceanographic data and transmits the data in real-time for addition to scientific and operational databases. AMVER-SEAS is employed on ships of the SOOP, and on NOAA, UNOLS, and Coast Guard Vessels. Go
