| Principal Investigator: | Arrigo, Kevin R (1) |
| Licence Number: | 14916 |
| Organization: | Stanford University |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2011
|
| Issued: | Jun 23, 2011 |
| Project Team: | Don Perovich, Rick Reynolds, Sam Laney, Karen Frey, Greg Mitchell, Stan Hooker, Marcel Babin, Jim Swift |
Objective(s): To study the impact of climate change (natural and anthropogenic) on the biogeochemistry and ecology of the Chukchi and Beaufort seas.
Project Description: The central science question of this program is, “What is the impact of climate change (natural and anthropogenic) on the biogeochemistry and ecology of the Chukchi and Beaufort seas?” While both of these regions are experiencing significant changes in the ice cover, their biogeochemical response will likely be quite different due to their distinct physical, chemical, and biological differences. The Chukchi Sea is located to the north of the Bering Strait and is dominated by very shallow continental shelves - 56% of its total area has a water depth of less than 50 m. Warm Pacific waters entering the Chukchi through the Bering Strait impact the dynamics of sea ice and hence the radiation budget of the upper ocean. This is the basis for this project is to share measurements of upper ocean optics. Malina made similar measurements in 2009 and this research team would like to add to their database. Using instruments deployed from the ship, ocean physics, optics, chemistry, and biology will be measured. Water samples will be collected to measure microbial physiology and growth rates in the ship's labs and in incubators on the deck. This research team is collaborating with a Canadian scientist, Marcel Babin, of Universite Laval. A local indigenous observer will take part in the research cruise. Information can be requested from the principal investigator by any interested parties. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 1, 2011 to July 25, 2011.
