Project Title

Southern Ocean current observations from the U.S. Antarctic research vessels

Summary

Event Number:
O-317-L
NSF / OPP Award 2001646

Program Director:
Dr. Peter Milne

ASC POC/Implementer:
Rachel Shackelford / Bruce Felix

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Teresa Chereskin
tchereskin@ucsd.edu
University of California San Diego
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
La Jolla, California

Location

Supporting Stations: ARSV Laurence M. Gould
Research Locations: Drake Passage

Description

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is the strongest ocean current in the world, with a flow rate over 100 times greater than all the rivers on earth combined. This project continues a long-term study of ocean properties and variability in the ACC by repeat transects across the Drake Passage from Punta Arenas, Chile to Palmer Station. This project will provide information about long-term trends and variability in Southern Ocean fronts, surface water mass properties, heat, and salinity budgets. This study will contribute to understanding the ACC response to atmospheric forcing on climate-relevant time scales and its role in driving the Southern Ocean's meridional overturning circulation. This aspect of the project focuses on collecting acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP), thermosalinograph (TSG), fluorometer, and meteorological data on all ARSV Laurence M. Gould (LMG) cruises.

Field Season Overview

This science event collects ocean current and acoustic backscatter measurements from hull-mounted acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) onboard the LMG. Data are collected on all cruises with support from the shipboard electronics technicians (ETs). The ETs will start and stop data acquisition and monitor and archive data while at sea. During cruises, contractor support may be required, as time allows, in the event that system maintenance or software changes need to be made while underway.