Antarctic Circumpolar Current Levels by Altimetry and Island Measurements program studies the Antarctic Circumpolar Current in the South Atlantic and Southern Oceans.

It consists of measurements from coastal tide gauges and bottom pressure stations, along with an ongoing research program in satellite altimetry. ACCLAIM was the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory’s main contribution to the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) and now provides data for CLIVAR (Climate Variability and Predictability), GLOSS (Global Sea Level Observing System) and PSMSL (Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level).

Red dots on the above map indicate sites of Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory's South Atlantic coastal tide gauge network (ACCLAIM), while the yellow dots show gauges (not necessarily operational) committed to the GLOSS programme by other countries in the region. Source: Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory.

The coastal tide gauge portion of ACCLAIM took place in two phases. In Phase I from 1983, measurements at coastal tide gauge sites were sub–surface pressure (SSP) measurements rather than sea level (where SSP is defined as the total, measured pressure recorded by a sub–surface pressure transducer, a measurement including the atmospheric as well as the water column pressure). These data were acquired with different sensors and with different pressre integration periods. Phase II, which started in early 1993, involved replacing the gauges at several sites with ‘B gauges’ that recorded SSP, air pressure and sea level. These gauges have precise datum control and are used to provide long term sea level change data to the PSMSL.

Further Reading

• Physical Oceanography Index
• R. Spencer, P. R. Foden, C. McGarry, A. J. Harrison, J. M. Vassie, T. F. Baker, M. J. Smithson, S. A. Harangozo, and P. L. Woodworth. The ACCLAIM programme in the South Atlantic and Southern Oceans. International Hydrographic Review, 70:7–21, 1993.
• The ACCLAIM Programme in the South Atlantic and Southern Oceans