| Summary: | Satellite tracked drifting buoys have become an important field component in several international studies of ocean circulation and related marine climate programs over the past 19 years. The First GARP Global Experiment (FGGE) took place in 1978-1979 and utilized about 365 drifting buoys in the southern hemisphere oceans. About 10 years then passed, during which time the buoy technology underwent significant improvements that were used in smaller scale research activities. The first large program to use modern drifting buoys, or drifters as they are often called, occurred during the Surface Velocity Programme (SVP) of the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE), during the early to mid 1990's. In contrast, buoy development and use in Brazilian field studies began in the mid 1980's, within the national antarctic research program (PROANTAR). Brazilian participation in international programs began with SVP/WOCE and is continuing within CLIVAR, the follow-on program to WOCE. Because of its interest in Antarctica, Brazil is also a member of the International Program for Antarctic Buoys (IPAB) and more recently of the International South Atlantic Buoy Programme (ISABP). A new national buoy program (PNBÓIA) has been approved and acquisition and deployment of WOCE/TOGA type drifters should begin in 1997. In another large project, PETROBRAS, the national oil company, will be collaborating with INPE in the launch of similar drifters, also planned for 1997.
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