Aquarius Mission Data to Help Multi-Facet Study

Scientists will set their sights on taking an unprecedented variety of measurements around one of the saltiest spots in the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Salinity Processes in the Upper Ocean Regional Study (SPURS) experiment, in concert with NASA's Aquarius mission. SPURS will use existing Argo floats and instruments on commercial cargo ships in addition to surface drifters, moored buoys, torpedo-like gliders, an autonomous submersible, and instruments based on a research ship to build a detailed, three-dimensional view of the ocean processes affecting salinity. In combination with satellite readings from Aquarius, SPURS should expand our understanding of what’s driving changes in ocean salinity. Image credit: NASA/SPURS