Long-term observations

Measurements in the ocean are always influenced by a wide variety of processes and fluctuations range from less than hours to decades or longer. The expression of the measured signals is in no way linked to the time scale, or in other words: fluctuations in the range of hours (e.g. tides, internal gravity waves) can be significantly larger than, for example, the warming of the ocean due to man-made climate change.

Measuring oceanography uses time series at fixed locations in the ocean to decipher the spectrum of signals. For this purpose, devices are installed in the water column for many years, which then record relevant measurements such as temperature, salinity, currents and also oxygen or water color more frequently than hourly. With the help of research ships, the devices are recorded at regular intervals, the data is recovered and the devices are reinstalled.

With each research cruise, the time series become longer and statistical methods help to assign the underlying processes from the data obtained. Particularly from time series over several decades, attempts can be made to detect even comparatively small climate changes.

The Physical Oceanography Division maintains a number of long-term observations as time series stations (see map - TRACOS 11S, 23W, CVOO, 53N, K1).

 

To view the long-term observations, please click on the dots