Kapverden (Cape Verde)
The location of Cape Verde is ideal to perform both oceanic (Cape Verde Ocean Observatory, CVOO) and atmospheric (Cape Verde Atmosphere Observatory, CVAO) long-term observations. Since 2004, the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel operates the oceanic time series station. The location downwind of the Mauritanian upwelling area makes it possible to obtain unique information about the interaction of biological productivity in the surface ocean and gas exchange between ocean and atmosphere. Like most tropical regions, the area around the Cape Verde is poorly understood, but plays a key role for the interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere. Especially the dust deposition from the African continent is of great interest. The close vicinity of the atmospheric and oceanic long-term observatories makes this station unique. At the oceanic station data for temperature, salinity, biological parameters, nutrients and dissolved gases such as CO2 and oxygen are sampled. For this purpose there are monthly sampling campaigns with the Cape Verdean research vessel Islandia. The data from the monthly sampling program are supplemented from data from a mooring that measures next to temperature and salinity also currents, oxygen and CO2 at different depths. Furthermore, the local infrastructure will be used for the testing of new measurement platforms, as Glider and profiling floats. The obtained data of the two observatories allow a detailed interpretation of the results; the scientists receive valuable information about the processes between the atmosphere and the surface ocean.
Further information under cvoo.geomar.de
