An analysis of the Atlantic Conveyor, the current that keeps Ireland, Great Britain and other areas of Europe balmy compared to their latitude, showed a 30% weakening over the decade of the 1990s. Data supporting this, however, came from just five research measurements over 40 years, so it could not be determined whether this was a major change of the Atlantic circulation or just natural variability.
To rectify this lack of data, an international network initiated Argo in 1999, to distribute floats globally starting in 2000. These free-drifting floats periodically sink to measure temperature and salinity in the top 2000 meters of oceans, then report findings via satellite upon resurfacing. Because they drift, they also report current velocity. After deploying over 3300 floats, an approximate 750-per-year continuing deployment sustains the network against floats lost or expiring.
Results show cooling of the oceans, contrary to the expectations of global warming. Ocean cooling indicates global warming has not progressed in the last four years, or the missing heat is being transferred elsewhere--elsewhere being either into the ocean depths below 2000m or radiating out to space. Since 80-90% of global warming should be absorbed in the ocean, and the oceans are cooling, …
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"Cooling of the global ocean since 2003." Craig Loehle, Energy and Environment, Volume 20, Numbers 1-2, Jan 2009, pp.101-104(4).
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