Transatlantic research cruise sets sail for Argentina

The UN Ocean Decade-endorsed Atlantic Meridional Transect (AMT) is a research programme that samples the open ocean between the UK and the South Atlantic. This research cruise, led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and funded by Natural Environment Research Council’s (NERC) National Capability, is a highly important expedition for the marine science community as it collects samples along the length of the Atlantic, producing a unique dataset and the opportunity to monitor changes in this expansive ocean.

AMT is a truly multidisciplinary programme that undertakes biological, chemical and physical oceanographic research during the usually annual voyage. It also provides an invaluable training experience for budding marine scientists to work at-sea alongside leading researchers from around the world.

Learn more about AMT through this Research Brief >>  

AMT31, aboard the RRS James Cook from 27^th November to 30^th December 2024, aims to collect a comprehensive suite of biogeochemical measurements contributing to our understanding of the global carbon cycle and air-sea gas exchange. The cruise will gather data over a diverse range of oceanic conditions and a key objective is to acquire optical data for the development of algorithms and the validation of the NASA PACE mission. It will also focused on the deployment and testing of autonomous along-track instruments.

AMT Facts

• Began in 1995
• 30 completed research cruises
• Hosted over 250 scientists from more than 60 research institutes in over 20 countries
• Produced over 300 significant scientific papers
• Contributed to more than 100 PhD studies
• Over 180,000 downloads of AMT data since 2018

All of the expedition reports, from AMT1 to AMT30, can be found on the AMT website >>

In August 2024 AMT was also officially endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (“Ocean Decade‘) as a Decade Action, as part of the Biomolecular Ocean Observing Network (OBON). The endorsement is a significant recognition of AMT’s vital role in advancing oceanographic science and supporting international marine and climate policy.

Julian Barbière, Global Coordinator of the Ocean Decade and Head of the Marine Policy and Regional Coordination Section of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC), said:

“We are proud to count the AMT program as part of the Ocean Decade. Ensuring accessible, timely, and actionable data and information to all ocean users is at the heart of our mission. It is the focus of the Decade Challenge 8, which aims to expand the global ocean observing system. But observations and data also underpin all other Decade Challenges. Programs such as AMT play an indispensable role in providing the data needed to support decision-making processes on complex ocean-related issues, and are essential to achieving the objectives of the Ocean Decade.”

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