PIRATA-4
Fourth Meeting of the Pilot Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic
Niteroi (RJ), Brazil
20-21 November 1997
A) REPORT OF THE MEETING
SUMMARY
The fourth meeting of the PIRATA Steering Committee (PIRATA-4) was held in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 20-21 November 1997. The meeting was hosted by one of the Brazilian participant institutions, the Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation (DHN), of the Brazilian Navy. The purpose of the meeting was to make an assessment of the results of the first two PIRATA buoy deployments by the French Agency ORSTOM, and subsequent data acquisitions; to review the status of the general PIRATA implementation planning including logistics and funding by Brazil, France, and the United States; to update and discuss the climatic conditions of the tropical Atlantic and the present El Niño evolution; to review the status of seasonal prediction operations for the following months as conducted by various institutions; to review the scientific and operational observational efforts presently underway in the tropical Atlantic; to review the connections between PIRATA and climate observational programs and institutions at the national and international levels. The Meeting was convened by Dr. Marcio Vianna (INPE) and by Cmdt. Alaor DÁll Antonia (DHN).
OPENING SESSION
The opening of the meeting was made by the Director of DHN, Admiral Fernando Manoel Fontes Diegues, followed by the Senior Advisor to the Director of INPE, Mr. Derli Machado.
SESSION 1: Pacific and Atlantic Present Climatic Situation
The first session started with a presentation made by M. McPhaden on the 1997 El Niño evolution, with special emphasis on analysis of the TAO Array data. It was shown that, the Niño 3 SST index in 1997 has grown almost as large as the one for the 1982-1983 El Niño, with a rapid onset early in the year. J.Servain presented the 1997 monthly anomaly maps of winds and SST for the tropicalAtlantic, noting the fast transition from a persistent dipole configurationwhich started in beginning 1997, with a cold southern and warm northernhemispheres , to a "both warm" condition in last October, suggestive of anonset of an Atlantic Warm Event.
With this update of the 1996-1997 climate changes observed in the tropical oceans as a background, J. Servain proceeded to present a review of the PIRATA Program. The presentation included a description of a model simulation which uses the ECMWF reanalysis (1979-1993) as forcing. Analysis of the data output shows am in-phase relationship between the meridional surface thermal dipole and a subsurface zonal temperature "seesaw" mode centered along the Equator.
SESSION 2: National Status
The second session was dedicated to the status of PIRATA at the national levels in France (J. Servain), US (M. McPhaden) and Brazil (M. Vianna). Deployment planning details, as well as national commitments in terms of ship-time, buoy system construction and maintenance, and funding, were presented.
France status:
Three Atlas moorings were founded by France in 1997 (two by ORSTOM, and the third by CNRS/Meteo-France).
The first French PIRATA deployment(PIRATA-FR1) was completed by the R/V Antea (ORSTOM) from Abidjan (Ivory Coast) during September 5-18, 1997. The two first PIRATA buoys were succesfully deployed: JAVA (10W-EQ) and GAVOTTE (10W-10S). CTD, ADCP and other oceanographic and meteorological measurements were also completed during the cruise. More details about the French PIRATA deployment was described in the first scientific report of PIRATA-FR1 later in the meeting (Session 3). Planned maintenance operations and new deployments by the R/V Antea were stated as assured in October 1998 (PIRATA-FR2, 15 days), and scheduled in 1999 (PIRATA-FR3 around March, PIRATA-FR4 around June, PIRATA-FR5 around October, about 15 days for each one). First PIRATA data available through the PIRATA ORSTOM-Brest Internet Homepages was described (presently in home-test, scheduled to be operational by December 10, 1997).
Unfortunately, one very bad information was received at DHN during the meeting by a fax from the R/V Antea (cruising around the JAVA site for another oceanographic program). Confirmed by PMEL (no more data from JAVA received via Argos), Antea announced that the JAVA mooring was lost, probably due to vandalism or collision with a merchant ship around the 17 of November. A "rescue" PIRATA Antea cruise in January-February 1998 (7-10 days), using the third Atlas mooring presently docked at Abidjan, is planned. In December 1997 there will be a refurbishment of the Tide Gauge station in Sao Tome Island. A letter sent to the PIRATA Steering Group, by the Head of the Resources, Environment and Development Department of ORSTOM (Jean-Claude Menaut), offered a statement of commitment for financing a new mooring in 1998, and to continue to support PIRATA until its end (2000). Anotherone Atlas buoy should be funded byCNRS/Meteo-France in 1998.
USA Status:
PMEL activities in support of PIRATA in 1997, and those planned for 1998, were described. In 1997, PMEL constructed and shipped 3 buoys each for Brazil (Fortaleza) and Ivory Coast (Abidjan), and sent a technician to participate in PIRATA-FR1 (the September 1997 Antea cruise). Two Brazilian technicians (one from INPE and one from DHN) were hosted at PMEL for one week of laboratory training, followed by a one month training cruise to the equatorial Pacific. PMEL also developed a prototype World Wide Web homepage page for display and dissemination of PIRATA data. In 1998, PMEL will continue to construct Brazilian, French and US supported moorings, will participate in all cruises (including the January 1998 "rescue" cruise) and will continue to develop the Web pages for data access. Mike Johnson (NOAA/OGP) spoke about the high priority within NOAA/OGP to support the development of a climate observing system in the Atlantic. In this context, he emphasized the commitment of the USA in fully funding the PIRATA operations at PMEL in 1998, with the expectation that continued support would be available for the entire program.
Brazil status:
The first three Brazilian moorings were funded in 1996, and are now stored at INPE-Fortaleza. They will be deployed by R/V Antares from Fortaleza in January 1998 (PIRATA-BR1, 18 days). Financial support for the construction of two new moorings, to be deployed in the first quarter of 1999, has been assured by INPE as having been approved by the Minister of Science and Technology. The purchase of two ADCP's for PIRATA is presently being made by INPE with the funding obtained in 1997. Additionally, in 1998 INPE will deploy Argos sea level measuring stations at Atol das Rocas and S.Peter & S.Paul's Archipelago. This equipment is already at INPE for deployment, but it has not been deployed so far due to the lack of a technician. That should be arranged in the first quarter of 1998 to take care of the Brazilian PIRATA Sea Level System (Project REMARSAT). The Meteorological Argos Stations planned for the two above-cited island groups, as well as the meteorological buoy at 44W-EQ (over the Brazilian continental shelf), should be purchased in 1998, and be deployed as soon as they are acquired. As to the assurance of ship time, the necessary operations in 1999 for the Brazilian participation (three replacements and three new deployments) will require two cruises in the beginning of the year (PIRATA-BR2 and PIRATA-BR3 respectively, with a total ship-time of about 40 days from Fortaleza to Fortaleza).
SESSION 3: International Support of PIRATA
The third session was dedicated to the links between PIRATA and other Projects and Programs, as well as funding sources, at both the international and national levels. Janice Trotte, representing both IOC and GOOS, made a presentation on the interest of PIRATA for GOOS and GCOS, and described in detail how PIRATA can be considered an important contribution to GOOS. She reminded the group of the recent invitation made by Colin Summerhayes to the PIRATA Steering Group, to participate in the meeting to be held in Sydney, Australia, in March 1998, where the implementation of GOOS and GCOS based on the various existing operational systems will be discussed. The PIRATA Steering Group endorsed the proposal that PIRATA be considered a contribution to GOOS and GCOS, and a formal response to C. Summerhayes is being drafted to this effect.
SESSION 4: Scientific Presentations
The fourth session was dedicated to scientific presentations relevant to the issues raised in PIRATA:
- J. Servain (ORSTOM): Model representativeness of the PIRATA array.
- T. Busalacchi (NASA): Satellite data and modeling in support of PIRATA objectives.
- W. Johns (RSMAS): modes of interannual heat transport in the tropical North Atlantic: the ACCE proposals and ACCE Observing System.
- M. Lewis (Dahlousie Univ.): SeaWiFS-the influence of the increased absorption of solar radiation caused by primary production on the heat balance of the mixed layer.
- C.Tanajura (INPE-LNCC): Brazilian efforts on seasonal climate predictions.
- J. Servain (ORSTOM): PIRATA-FR1 Cruise: first scientific report.
SESSION 5: Practical Issues
Session 5 was dedicated to a discussion of issues related to data acquisition and dissemination. There was a discussion on the architecture of the PIRATA Web pages, as well as the necessity to define what would be the shared responsibilities in maintaining them. The usefulness of the Brazilian satellite SCD-1 and SCD-2 to PIRATA was discussed with the head of the Data Collection Mission Center (CMCD) of INPE, Sergio Pereira. It was suggested that the use of local receiving stations for data acquisition both through the Brazilian SCD links and direct reception of data from Argos data from NOAA satellites, with
immediate relay for CLS Argos, could make the dissemination of the real-time data to GTS much faster, so PIRATA intends to explore this avenue. From his first experience of PIRATA-FR1, J. Servain explained some important recommendations for the future Atlas mooring deployments, especially the necessity to get the bathymetry field with a fine accuracy around 4-5 miles from each PIRATA site.
SESSION 6: Complementary Projects
In Session 6 some of the planned complementary projects were described:
- I.Wainer (IOUSP): A proposal for a turbulent flux measurment experiment at Atol das Rocas, Southwestern Equatorial Atlantic (FLUTUA) associated with EQUALANT-99.
- J. Servain (ORSTOM): EQUALANT-99 (a WOCE-type multi-discisplinary experiment in the equatorial Atlantic in June-July 1999, associated with PIRATA-FR4 and FLUTUA).
- A. d'All Antonia (DHN): Drifter Projects in PNBoia (a GOOS-BR Program).
SESSION 7: General Discussion
The last Session was dedicated to a general discussion on the main points to be further clarified, in relation to logistics, funding and politics. The question of training and mutual collaboration in relation to the execution of PIRATA was highlighted as one of the important issues to be clarified in 1998.
It was announced by J. Servain (ORSTOM) that the next PIRATA meeting (PIRATA-5) will be held in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) by 9-13 November 1998. It is anticipated that PIRARA-5 will precede the seventh session of the TAO-Implementation Panel (TIP-7) also to be held in Abidjan the same week. The two meetings will be juxtaposed, with a PIRATA-5 (2 days) preceding TIP-7 (3 days).
The PIRATA-4 meeting was closed by Admiral Diegues with personal greetings
to each of the participants.
We acknowledge the great support and personal interest offered by Cmdr. Alaor Dall'Antonia of DHN (Co-Convener of PIRATA-4), who took care of the logistics of the meeting, and guaranteed the success of PIRATA-4.
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PIRATA-SG MEETING (Arraial do Cabo, 23-25 November 1997)
The overall results of the PIRATA-4 meeting, and the detailed analysis of the problems related to the implementation of PIRATA, were to be carried out in a subsequent meeting of the PIRATA Steering Group (PIRATA-SG) held in Arraial do Cabo, on 23-25 November.
Among the important questions discussed in depth in this PIRATA-SG meeting:
-- Requirement for January 98 "JAVA-Rescue" (J. Servain + PMEL)
-- Requirements for ship-time in 1999 to be reviewed (M. Vianna + DHN + PMEL)
-- ADCP mooring deployment plans for 1999 (possible participation of AOML or RSMAS), and shipboard ADCP training needs for DHN (Univ. Hawaii) (M. Vianna + DHN)
-- Identification of storage space in Brazil (Fortaleza, Natal) and Ivory Coast (Abidjan) for local refurbishment of moorings in 1999 (J. Servain, M. Vianna + PMEL)
-- Agreement for cost sharing arrangements for Atlas refurbishments (25% Brazil, 25% France, 50% USA). If carried out in proportion to national contributions , each country will own completely that same percentage of the remaining equipment pool at the end of PIRATA (INPE, ORSTOM, PMEL).
-- Review of Brazilian deployment plans, including island stations, and the necessity (and coordination) of two cruises in 1999, one for 3 replacements and another one for 3 new moorings (M. Vianna + INPE + IOUSP + DHN + PMEL).
-- Response of the PIRATA-SG to VAMOS sollicitation for endorsement (a co-chair)
-- Response of PIRATA-SG to GOOS/GCOS participation of PIRATA in the next GOOS/GCOS meeting (March 1998) in Sydney (a co-chair)
-- Writing of a PIRATA Project presentation paper to the BAMS (first draft is presently under preparation by J. Servain)
-- Discussion on the possible interest in holding a "PIRATA-4.5" meeting in Brazil in mid-1998, after PIRATA-BR1 and before the PIRATA-5 meeting scheduled at Abidjan in November 1998
The PIRATA-SG acknowledges the personal effort of Maria Helena Severo, of Instituto Almirante Paulo Moreira (IAPM), for the very kind reception and organization of the logistic support in Arraial do Cabo between November 22-25 (workspace, her own PC, and IAPM's facilities), as well as the transport provided by Cmdr. Alaor d'All Antonia and by DHN to Arraial do Cabo.
Jacques Servain Marcio Vianna
Co-Chairman of PIRATA SG Coordinator-Project PIRATA, Brazil
Co-convener of
PIRATA-4
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B) AGENDA OF THE MEETING (updated after the meeting)
PIRATA-4 - 20-21 Nov at DHN, Niteroi, RJ.
THURSDAY, Nov. 20
OPENING THE MEETING AND PIRATA BACKGROUND
Chair: M. Vianna
- Admiral Diegues, Director, DHN
- Mr. Derli Machado, Senior Advisor to the Director of INPE
09:15- Present and Projected El Nino Conditions, the TAO Array and Global Impacts (M. McPhaden)
09:45- Present Atlantic Conditions ; the PIRATA Program (J. Servain)
10:15 Coffee Break
PIRATA NATIONAL STATUS 1997-1998 AND PRESPECTIVES
Chair: T. Busalacchi
10:30- Status of FR Participation (J. Servain)
10:45- Status of US Participation (M. McPhaden)
11:00- Status of BR Participation (M. Vianna)
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL SUPPORTS FOR PIRATA
Chair: M. Vianna
11:15- BRAZIL-MCT: the Program PMTCRH-Monitoring Weather, Climate and Water Resources (Moura Fe)
11:30- USA-NOAA/NOAA/OGP Support for Global Climate Monitoring Systems (M. Johnson)
11:45- FRANCE-ORSTOM and CNRS Support for Ocean Climate in the Pacific and Atlantic (J. Picaut)
12:00- BRAZIL-NAVY Support for Coastal and Ocean Climate Monitoring
12:15- IOC-GOOS (J. Trotte)
12:30 Lunch
SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATIONS BY INVITEES AND "PIRATAS"
Chair: M. McPhaden
14:00- Model Representativeness of the PIRATA Array (J. Servain)
14:20- Satellite data and modeling in support of PIRATA objectives (T. Busalacchi)
14:40- Modes of interannual heat transport variability in the tropical Atlantic (W. Johns)
15:00- Surface flux measuring experiments on islands in the Western Equatorial Atlantic (I.Wainer)
15:20-SeaWIFs: how can ocean colour studies contribute to Pirata objectives? (M.Lewis)
15:40- Wave climate routine forecasts at INPE (V.Innocentini)
16:00: Coffee break
16:20- Coastal and Island wind and sea level monitoring in Pirata (M.Vianna)
16:40-Limited Area Forecast Models at CPTE (C. Tanajura)
17:00- General discussion
18:00- Back to Hotels
FRIDAY, November 21
PIRATA DATA AQUISITION AND DISSEMINATION
CHAIR: T. Busalacchi
09:00- Pirata-FR1 Cruise : First scientific report (J. Servain);
09:20-PIRATA Deployment and marine operations: discussion by PMEL, ORSTOM, DHN (M. McPhaden, J. Servain, A. D'All Antonia)
10:00: Pirata Web Pages: discussion by PMEL, ORSTOM, INPE/CMCD and INPE/CPTEC (M. cPhaden, J. ervain, S. ereira, M. ianna,...)
10:30 Coffee break
10:45- DATA ACQUISITION, MAINTENANCE, PROCESSING AND USAGE IN BRAZIL
(CMCD/INPE, CPTEC/INPE, BNDO/DHN,...)
CHAIR: J. Servain
11:30- COMPLEMENTARY PROJECTS
Other National Buoy/Float Programs (BR-PNBoia; US-ACCE; FR-EQUALANT-99, ....)
12:30 Lunch
14:00- GENERAL DISCUSSION ON FINANCING, POLITICS, LOGISTICS, CRONOGRAMS
16:00- POST-PIRATA PLANS
Other nations willing to join Pirata-5 Meeting in 1998
17:00 Closing of the meeting
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C) PARTICIPANTS OF PIRATA-4
Dr. Marlon Lewis (Univ. Dalhousie, Can.)
Sr. Jackson de Vasconcelos (FUNCEME, Bra.)
Ct. Marival de Souza Carvalho (IEAPM, Bra.)
Dr. Marcio Vianna (INPE, Bra.)
Dr. Derli Chaves Machado da Silva (INPE, Bra.)
Sr. Antonio Caetano Vaz Caltabianco (INPE, Bra.)
Eng. Sergio Pereira (INPE, Bra.)
Dr. Clemente Tanajura (LNCC, Bra.)
MSc. Claudine P. Dereczynski (LNCC, Bra.)
MSc. Janice Trotte (IOC/GOOS, Fra.)
Dra. Ilana Wainer (IOUSP, Bra.)
Dr. Tony Busalacchi (NASA, USA)
Mr. Michael Jonhson (NOAA/OGP, USA)
Dr. Michael McPhaden (NOAA/PMEL, USA)
Mr. Mark Ablondi (NOAA/PMEL, USA)
Sr. Carlos Leandro da Silva (Oceansat, Bra.)
Dr. Joel Picaut (ORSTOM/NASA, Fra./USA)
Dr. Jacques Servain (ORSTOM, Fra.)
Dr. William Johns (RSMAS, USA)
CF(QC-CA) Flavio Luiz Giacomozzi (SECIRM, Bra.)
CF Alaor d'All Antonia Jr. (DHN, Bra.)
CF Leitao (DHN, Bra.)
CF Carlos Hansen (DHN, Bra.)
CT Soviero (DHN, Bra.)
CT-CAF Sonia L.S. Cavalcante (DHN)