In order to examine biophysical conditions from pre-spring bloom
conditions through the summer, we have deployed a mooring over the
outer slope (
2200 m). The platform itself represents a
``hardened'' version of moorings along the equator [ McPhaden et
al., 1991]. Included in the suite of measurements are winds,
isolation, air temperature, humidity, salinity/temperature/pressure
(at ten depths), currents (both Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler and
acoustic current meters at depth), acoustic backscatter, and
chlorophyll absorption [ Moore et al., 1992]. Some of the
observations are sent real time via a satellite system. When a
significant alteration of the diel migration occurred, the
availability of real-time data permitted direction of field sampling
to provide in situ measurements. Results to date have elucidated
characteristics of eddies, including both their density and velocity
structure. Further, the observations provide time series of mixed
layer depth to a coupled 1-dimensional, physical-biological model.