Global Ocean Observing System for Climate

Global Ocean Observing System for Climate The global ocean observing system for climate, which contributes to the global in situ component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), has now achieved about 61% of its initial design goal. While this observing system, implemented cooperatively by over seventy countries worldwide, serves multiple applications, it is designed primarily to address climate requirements defined by the international Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). The U.S. contribution to the system, described here, is implemented as an interdependent set of observational subsystems that constitute about half of the over 8,000 observing platforms deployed by the world community. While designed to provide information that is critical to NOAA’s climate and weather forecast missions, global ocean observations also support: coastal ocean applications marine hazard warning systems (e.g., tsunami warnings) transportation marine environment and ecosystem monitoring naval and other applications Global ocean observation assets Primary Observational Objectives of the Initial Global Ocean Observing System for Climate This system strives to deliver continuous instrumental records and global analyses of the following phenomena, which serve as scientific drivers of the observing system: Sea Surface Temperature and Surface Currents, to identify significant patterns of climate variability Ocean Heat Content and Transport, to better understand the extent to which the ocean sequesters heat, to identify where heat enters the ocean and where it emerges to interact with the atmosphere, and to identify changes in thermohaline circulation and monitor for indications of possible abrupt climate change. Air-Sea Exchanges of Heat, Momentum, and Freshwater, to identify changes in forcing functions driving ocean and atmospheric conditions, and to elucidate oceanic influences on the global water cycle. Sea Level, to identify changes resulting from trends and variability in climate. Ocean Carbon Uptake and Content, to better understand the extent to which the ocean sequesters CO2 and how cycling among ocean-land-atmosphere carbon reservoirs varies on seasonal-to-decadal time scales. Sea Ice Thickness and Extent, to elucidate climate variability and rapidly changing climate at high latitudes. (top) The Observational Subsystems on the in-situ Observing System Tide Gauges Tide Gauges Tide gauges are necessary for accurately measuring long-term trends in sea level change and for calibration and validation of the measurements from satellite altimeters, which are assimilated into global climate models for predicting climate variability and change. Surface Drifting Buoys Surface Drifting Buoys Global sea surface temperature analyses are derived from satellite retrievals, but the satellite measurements must be continuously calibrated using surface in situ measurements. The design for the global surface drifting buoy array (GCOS- 92) calls for 1,250 buoys to be maintained globally, spaced approximately 500 km apart in order to adequately tune satellite measurements. Tropical Moored Buoy Network Tropical Moored Buoy Network Most of the heat from the sun enters the ocean in the tropical/sub-tropical belt. Past understanding of the role of the tropics in forcing mid-latitude weather and climate has been garnered through the observations of the tropical moored buoy array in the Pacific Ocean, TAO/TRITON (Tropical Atmosphere Ocean/Triangle Trans-Ocean Buoy Network), which now comprises 67 moorings. A similar array of 17 surface moorings in the Atlantic basin, PIRATA (Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic) is further improving forecasting capabilities and is elucidating causes of longer-term changes in the ocean. The Indian Ocean array, RAMA (Research Moored Array for African- Asian-Australian Monsoon Analysis and Prediction), whose system design calls for 46 moorings, will complete global coverage of the Earth’s tropical oceans; 24 RAMA moorings have thus far been deployed. Ships of Opportunity Ships of Opportunity The global atmospheric and oceanic data from the Ships of Opportunity Program (SOOP) provide the foundation for understanding long-term changes in marine climate. The ships of opportunity are commercial carriers that transit scientifically important trans-oceanic routes; they volunteer to take ocean measurements using NOAA-supplied instruments, or host NOAA technicians during the transits to take the measurements. Argo Profiling Floats Argo Profiling Floats The heat content of the world’s oceans and the transfer of that heat to and from the atmosphere are variables central to the climate system and are directly responsible for influencing worldwide sea levels. The Argo array of profiling floats, which measures temperature and salinity down to 2000 meters below the ocean surface, provides broad-scale, basin-wide monitoring of the upper ocean heat content. The initial goal of three thousand homogeneously-distributed floats in active service throughout the world’s oceans, providing data without temporal bias, was achieved in October 2007. Ocean Reference Stations Ocean Reference Stations Sustained time-series of oceanic and atmospheric climate-relevant parameters and air-sea exchange of heat, freshwater and carbon dioxide are central to documenting and understanding trends and variability in the climate system. To this end, NOAA, together with international partners, is implementing a global network of ocean reference station moored buoys to provide the most accurate long-term climate data records of oceanic and near-surface atmospheric parameters in key ocean regimes. Ocean Carbon Networks Projections of global climate change are closely linked to assumptions about the interactions among the atmosphere, land, and ocean that control levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. To this end, NOAA deploys carbon dioxide sampling on moored arrays and on Ships of Opportunity to analyze the seasonal variability of carbon exchange between the ocean and atmosphere. Additionally, in partnership with NSF, NOAA participates in systematic global ocean surveys that provide a comprehensive ocean carbon inventory once every ten years. Arctic Observing Network Arctic Observing Network Climate change is occurring rapidly in the Arctic, where the environment is particularly sensitive to climate variability and change. Therefore, a high priority program of sustained Arctic observations is being conducted utilizing ship-based cruises, permanent oceanographic moorings, gliders, ice beacons and buoys, supplemented by acquisition and analysis of historical and satellite-based data sets.

How scuba diving brings peace and a new perspective It’s so easy to get swept away in the hectic nature of modern life. Our world runs 24/7 – packed with technological wonders that pervade every free moment of the day. And while technology like the Internet and smartphones have connected us, making our world feel smaller, it seems that in many ways this change has carried us farther away from nature. Sunset after a dive.If you’re looking to reconnect with Mother Earth and all the wonderful beings within the sea, there’s no better option than scuba diving. When you head under the waves you’ll be surrounded by a whole new reality. Below the waves is a place that allows you to think, focus and find your natural rhythm. This feeling of escape is one of the reasons diving is such an addictive hobby. When you are underwater, life goes on above the surface as usual, but you don’t have to worry about those day-to-day stressors. No matter if you are a hardworking professional, busy parent, current student, or a combination of these, scuba diving can be the temporary retreat you desire. It’s a wonderful release from the daily grind and helps even the busiest of people find balance – a therapeutic activity that helps each person gain a big-picture perspective. Whether you’ve never dived before or you did it once on a vacation a few years back, now is a good time to learn more by taking a PADI class such as the PADI Open Water Diver course and you can even start online. You’ll meet new friends, learn new things, and above all else, be able to find the peace you want within the water.

Client / Student divers - Meliã Tortuga Resort - August 2013

http://www.projectaware.org/update/dear-ocean-weve-got-your-back

Mr. Otto Verkerk from Holland - great PADI Rescue Diver - just completed Wreck Diver Specialty course - Congratulations for your achievement and great performance !!! Well done! July 18th,2013

Photos with clients / students divers - July 2013

Here i post some Photos with clients / students divers - July 2013. I want to THANK YOU guys for coming to Sal Island to dive with us @ Meliã Tortuga Resort. Please let me know your comments, ideas and feedback. I also would be glad to have you added on my Facebook and Twitter in order we could keep in touch. As i always tell my students, if you have any question or issue about SCUBA DIVING, dive travel, equipment, just drop me an e-mail and i will be glad to advice you. Looking to hear from you Divers !!! My very best regards and KEEP ON DIVING! Leo Saldunbides - PADI MI/EFRIT #184808 e-mails: divewithleo@gmail.com / saldunbides@gmail.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leo.saldunbides Twitter: https://twitter.com/saldunbides

Congratulations to new PADI OW Divers: Adilson, Helio and Alberto.

Staying Alive! During April, EFR presented 2013 EFRI Update webinars to assist lapsed EFR instructors regain Teaching Status and to refresh renewed but inactive EFR instructors. These hugely successful webinars covered a number of topics including changes to Guidelines 2010 CPR protocols. One of the points highlighted was the reinforcement by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) to push the chest to a depth of “at least” 5 cm for adults and children (4 cm for infants) and at a rate of “at least” 100 compressions per minute. The reason for this minor adjustment in wording was to encourage lay responders to continuously push “hard and fast”, focusing on providing effective, high-quality chest compressions with minimal interruptions. To help your EFR participants achieve this, why not get them compressing mannequins in time with the chorus of the famous Bee Gee song, Staying Alive? It's accepted that this rate is effective and optimal when delivering chest compressions and, because the tune is well known, your participants may get value out of using it as a guide. Search YouTube “Staying Alive CPR” to find a number of associated video clips. While, chest ompression only CPR is recommended for bystanders with no formal CPR training, the ERC still recommends chest compressions accompanied by rescue breaths for lay responders who have been taught CPR and are comfortable delivering rescue breaths in a life threatening emergency.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ut1U4pdxySY#!

                                                         Bom Rei Wreck - Madeira Island

                                                          with Filipa and Carlos

                                     After 5 days in Madeira Island we left sadly, but we will be back!

The first-ever summit to focus specifically on the issue of marine debris around the African continent will be taking place during World Environmental Week and World Ocean Day, 6-8 June 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Plastics SA, the umbrella body representing the South African plastics industry, has announced that it will be joining hands with the Department of Environmental Affairs, the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the United Nations Environment Programme in organising the conference which will bring together marine debris researchers, natural resource managers, policy makers, industry representatives and the non-governmental community.

According to Douw Steyn, Plastics SA director of sustainability, marine debris is a historical problem that continues to grow.

"The world's oceans and waterways are constantly polluted with a wide variety of marine debris ranging from cans and plastic bags to derelict fishing gear and abandoned vessels. Many animals, such as sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals, have been known to ingest and get entangled in marine debris, which may lead to loss of nutrition, internal injury, intestinal blockage, starvation, and even death," Steyn says.

However, marine debris is an international concern not only because it washes up on beaches and shorelines worldwide, but also because debris can be transferred from one country serving as a vector for alien animals and plants to another via ocean currents.

"International cooperation is needed to create public awareness while developing ways to decrease the amount of debris in oceans around the globe", Steyn explains.

Conference objectives:

• To allow for the sharing of lessons learned on strategies and best practices to reduce and prevent the impact of marine debris.
• To promote international co-learning and identify possible areas for strengthening continental cooperation. (Specific discussions will be centred around the MARPOL Convention, Honolulu Commitment, the Abidjan and Nairobi conventions and how it has an impact on mitigating the problem of marine debris.)
• To exchange innovative ideas, such as recycling initiatives and communications strategies, with a view towards scaling up successful approaches.
• To share the latest research projects, results, and methods.

 "We are hoping that the African Marine Debris Summit will highlight research advances made across Africa and its bordering seas in the field of marine debris, and allow for the sharing of strategies and best practices," Steyn says.

Conference highlights:

According to Steyn, the conference will also provide an opportunity for the development of specific bilateral or multi-country strategies.

The conference will be officially opened by Rejoice Mabudafhasi, minister for environmental affairs, after which the first day's discussions will be centred around the problem of marine debris, as well as research on the issue, currently underway in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent. The second day will be dedicated to solutions to mitigate the problem of marine debris, whilst the third day will coincide with World Oceans Day (8 June). Activities on this day will be devoted to a hands-on training session on Robben Island covering the methodology used in monitoring marine debris, based on a standardised method decided upon at the 5th Marine Debris Conference.

The summit has attracted local and international luminaries in the field of marine debris, including South Africa's Professors Peter Ryan and Henk Bouwman who will be leading many of the presentations.

Concludes Steyn: "Marine litter is a global problem and it requires global solutions. Although we have seen a lot of improvements and headway being made in South Africa in recent years with regards to reducing and preventing marine litter and improving ocean health, we need to see a similar commitment from our counterparts across the entire African continent if we are to leave a lasting legacy for our future generations. We are confident that this conference will allow us to take a major step forward in this direction."

@ PADI EMEA Headquarters in Bristol - UK  

During EFR IT Development Training Course 

another great day of dives with very good dive buddies - May 14th - Eric Graham, Renae Wolf, Tom Wolf (from U.S.A), Erwin & Tom (from Belgium), Guillaume (from France), Filipa Pires (from Portugal), Josy Silva (from Cape Verde) and Eliana (from Italy) - May 14th - Cabo Verde Diving dive operation

DSD group from FRANCE. Thank you guys for the amazing day spent together. May 4th, 2013

With great diver Daniel from Cape Verde. Thanks for have dived with us here and see you in September for the GO PRO!

ACTIVATING EMS - EUROPE Emergency First Response Primary Care How you activate the Emergency Medical Services (or call for an ambulance) depends on the situation you are dealing with, for example the condition of the patient and the availability of bystander help. In emergency situations, it is vital for rescuers to get help as quickly as possible.A. After the Responsiveness check, call out for help. B. If you have help, send the bystander to call for an ambulance (activate EMS) as soon as you have completed the Breathing check. Let the bystander know the condition of the patient and ask the bystander to return and let you know how long the ambulance will be. C. If you are alone, and the patient is not breathing, you will need to determine whether you start resuscitation or go for help first: �If the patient is an adult, you should normally assume that they have a heart problem and go for help as soon as you have established that the patient is not breathing. Early medical attention and the use of a defibrillator is vital. This decision may be influenced by the availability of EMS. � If the likely cause of unconsciousness is injury, drowning, choking, drug or alcohol intoxication, or if the patient is an infant or child, perform rescue breaths/chest compressions for one minute before going for help. In these instances, the problem is likely to be a breathing problem rather than a heart condition. D. Continue resuscitation until qualified help arrives and takes over, the patient shows signs of life or you become exhausted. E. If you are alone and the patient is unconscious but breathing, position patient in the recovery position and then activate EMS.

I ' m back to my blog after couple of months of inactivity. Often i will be posting interesting articles regarding   REC Diving, TEC Diving ( Techniques & Equipment trends), news and changes in PADI Standards, CPR / 1st AID, and photos of our daily DIVE LIFE STYLE here in Cape Verde. If you need any advice or counseling regarding DIVING, just e-mail me, i will be glad to help you. E-mail to: divewithleo@gmail.com

Steve and Max from England - UK - June 22nd

Con mis alumnos de PADI OWD y clientes buceadores de España. Enhorabuena a los nuevos buzos !!! Arriba España !!! desde la izquierda hacia la derecha: Felix, Jose, Daniel, Maria, Marta, Raúl, Amálio y Almeneda. 22 de Junio, 2012

 Mr. Kevin & Rhiannon Hatchard - PADI OWD & SDjr. - June 7th - Thank you divers !!!

 Mr. Vladmir from Ukraine - DSD - June 8th

 Great dive !!!  staff Romina, Digalan & Leo with students divers.

 with Matthias - AOWD course & Adam - SDjr. course

 with Agustin from Argentina - SD course