The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Ocean Sciences awarded the University of Washington a $1.65M Project Grant (CFDA 47.050, Geosciences) effective October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2030, to conduct direct oceanographic measurements of vertical velocity in the upper ocean. The project employs a fleet of specially designed subsurface Lagrangian floats equipped with velocity profilers to measure vertical velocity along an isopycnal layer in the Sargasso Sea through a series of 60-day missions staged from Bermuda, spanning a full annual cycle. These measurements will be integrated with satellite observations of sea surface height, sea surface temperature, and ocean color, and validated against high-resolution numerical simulations to develop a quantitative and dynamical understanding of vertical velocity structure and variability.
The research addresses a critical gap in ocean science by providing direct, empirical data on a poorly observed but dynamically important component of ocean circulation. Vertical velocity measurements are essential for improving ocean models used in coupled weather and ocean prediction systems, as well as for understanding vertical fluxes of heat, salt, gases, and carbon in the Earth system. The project involves no planned subawards and will be performed at the University of Washington's Seattle, Washington location.