Synchronous Oceanic and Atmospheric Data Acquisition: field test release and validation of atmospheric, oceanographic, and deep-sea probes in the Azores Islands

The oceans are abundant in natural diversity, minerals and energy resources, and there is an urgent need for a better understanding of its ecosystems and dynamics. The Synchronous Oceanic and Atmospheric Data Acquisition (SONDA) Project intends to contribute to better atmospheric and oceanic modelling and monitoring by launching High-Altitude Balloons (HAB) equipped with atmospheric and deep-sea probes to be released in oceanic areas of interest. This work reports the development and validation of three different probes: 1) atmospheric monitoring with APRS communications to be launched by HAB; 2) oceanographic monitoring; and 3) deep-sea monitoring with satellite communications. All probes were preliminarily tested in a semi-controlled fluvial environment, and posteriorly in real field conditions in the Azores Islands, Portugal. During the campaign, the Atmospheric probe was launched by HAB and its communications were tested with fixed and mobile ground stations, the oceanographic probe was deployed for three days to monitor the effect of a geothermal spring in the sea and the deep-sea probe was released into the Atlantic Ocean.