Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region
Tags: biology, paleoclimatology, ancient sea levels, marine biology, oceanic currents
| Principal Investigator: | Takizawa, Takatoshi (1) |
| Licence Number: | 14049 |
| Organization: | Independent Administrative Institution, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology(JAMSTEC |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2006
|
| Issued: | Aug 10, 2006 |
| Project Team: | Dr. David B. Scott (foraminifera research, Dalhousie University), Dr. Timothy Eglinton (carbon cycle research, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), Dr. Naomi Harada (carbon cycle research, JAMSTEC), Dr. Kana Nagashima (carbon cycle research, JAMSTEC), Mr. Stephan Rella (carbon cycle research, Tokyo University), Dr. Takuya Itaki (plankton research, Tokyo University), Dr. Kota Katsuki (plankton research, Shimane University), Dr. Motoo Utsumi (microbial research, Tsukuba University), Dr. Hisashi Narita (carbon cycle research, Tokai University), Ms. Ysuyo Koike (carbon cycle research, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life), Dr. Hidetoshi Kumata (carbon cycle research, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life), Mr. Ajit Kumar Manda (carbon cycle research, Toyama University), Mr. Susumu Konno (carbon cycle research, Yamagata University), Dr. Ippei Nagao (aerosol research, Nagoya University), Ms. Yoko Kishi (carbon cycle research, Tokai University), Dr. Akira Ijiri (carbon cycle research, Hokkaido University), Dr. Daisuke Komatsu (carbon cycle research, Hokkaido University), Mr. Akinari Hirota (carbon cycle research, Hokkaido University), Mr. Satoru Ohkubo (carbon cycle research, Hokkaido University), Dr. Toru Iwata (aerosol research, Okayama University), Mr. Saiko Sugisaki (carbon cycle research, JAMSTEC), Mr. Koichi Iijima (carbon cycle research, JAMSTEC), Mr. Atsuhi Kurasawa (plankton research, JAMSTEC), Mr. Frank Griessbaum (aerosol research, Tokyo University) |
Project Description: During the last glacial maximum (LGM), the sea level was lowered by ~125m. After the LGM, the area of Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas expanded dramatically, in association with the rapid raising of the sea level due to the collapse of the continental glacier, and the nutrient rich Pacific water stream into Chukchi Sea had become stronger than that of during the LGM. The abrupt rise of sea level during the termination period after the LGM affected the Beringian climate, the fresh water budget of the Arctic Ocean, and ocean circulation, however, a comprehensive view of climatic changes has not been understood. Controversies exist as to whether the Bering Land Bridge was covered by moist or dry tundra climate as large mammals and man migrated between continents. This lack of understanding is partly due to the fact that relative sea level in Beringia is likely to have differed from eustatic sea level as a result of tectonic and possible glacio-eustatic effects. In addition, very little high-resolution paleo proxy data exists for sea surface conditions in the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. The objectives of this proposed cruise is to understand the mechanism of these dynamic environmental changes associated with climate change. Examining the ecology and biology of planktonic protozoans, including radiolarians and foraminifers, in the western Arctic seas will be part of the proposed scientific cruise. Accordingly, plankton towing in Beaufort Sea will be conducted at five or six depth intervals above 1,000 m on the continental margins off the Mackenzie River. Samples will be obtained using vertical hauls of a closing-net with 100 µm meshes. Research data will be made available through the R/V Mirai, JAMSTEC website (http://www.jamstec.go.jp/mirai/index_eng.html). A report will be distributed to interested parties within six months following the cruise. Research activities will be carried out from on board the vessel, R/V Mirai, from August 29 to September 12, 2006. It is anticipated that sampling will be conducted at the following near-shore and offshore locations: 75°-25.0’N, 159°-55.0’W; 75°-09.0’N, 162°-51.0’W; 74°-10.0’N, 160°-45.0’W; 73°-40.0’N, 160°-40.0’W; 72°-00.0’N, 160°-00.0’W; 70°-23.0’N, 135°-25.0’W; 70°-23.0’N, 134°-00.0’W; 69°-33.0’N, 137°-52.0’W; 69°-55.0’N, 138°-23.0’W; 71°-00.0’N, 148°-30.0’W; 71°-13.0’N, 148°-25.0’W; 71°-15.0’N, 148°-20.0’W; 71°-17.0’N, 148°-15.0’W; 71°-19.0’N, 148°-10.0’W; 71°- 35.0’N, 148°-10.0’W; 70°-20.0’N, 142°-00.0’W; 70°-40.0’N, 144°-00.0’W; 70°-50.0’N, 144°-00.0’W; 72°-00.0’N, 166°-00.0’W; 71°-00.0’N, 166°-00.0’W; 70°-00.0’N, 168°-00.0’W; 60°-12.8’N, 179°-04.2’W; 60°-12.8’N, 179°-02.0’W; 70°-00.0’N, 140°-00.0’W; 67°-00.0’N, 167°-00.0’W; 60°-12.8’N, 178°-00.0’W.
