What Can We Learn From Argo Floats?
Professor
University of Washington
University of Washington
Dr. Riser's primary interests include the ocean's role in climate; circulation of the ocean and ocean/atmosphere/ice interactions through direct observations; and the interactions between physical aspects of circulation and the biogeochemical properties of the ocean.
Webinar Clip
In this clip, Dr. Riser talks about how scientists go about mining years worth of salinity data to create average schematics of ocean salinity with the ultimate goal of observing the trends in salinity worldwide. We learn that over the last 50 years, areas of fresher seawater have been getting fresher and salty regions are getting saltier, both of which have implications for the global water cycle.Full webinar: From Skin To Deep
Click here for a transcript of this clip (PDF, 53.6 KB). |
Resources
Applicable Science Standards
Asking Questions and Defining Problems. A practice of science is to ask and refine questions that lead to descriptions and explanations of how the natural and designed world(s) works and which can be empirically tested.
Analyzing and Interpreting Data. Scientific investigations produce data that must be analyzed in order to derive meaning. Because data patterns and trends are not always obvious, scientists use a range of tools - including tabulation, graphical interpretation, visualization, and statistical analysis - to identify the significant features and patterns in the data. Scientists identify sources of error in the investigations and calculate the degree of certainty in the results. Modern technology makes the collection of large data sets much easier, providing secondary sources for analysis.
Engaging in Argument From Evidence. Argumentation is the process by which evidence-based conclusions and solutions are reached. In science and engineering, reasoning and argument based on evidence are essential to identifying the best explanation for a natural phenomenon or the best solution to a design problem.