Transcript B1_Proshutinsky_IBO

Ice-Based Observatories network in
the Arctic Ocean
THEMES:
 NOAA activities for the second half of the IPY period
 NOAA activities in response to the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment
MOTIVATION:
 -The Arctic Ocean is high priority target for a diverse set of scientific
investigations including key topics such as global climate change, life in extreme
environments, navigation, and energy resources.
 - The Arctic remains very poorly sampled in comparison to the temperate
latitudes. This observational gap represents a critical shortcoming of the envisioned
“global” observing system as the Arctic may be the source of major fresh water
anomalies that intermittently appear in the subpolar North Atlantic and cause
profound changes in the climate system.
Andrey Proshutinsky, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
NOAA Arctic Science Priorities Workshop, February 2-3 2005, Silver Spring, MD
Proposed Activity:
Support development and operation of an Ice-Based
Observatories network in the Arctic Ocean
Major recommendations were formulated by two international workshops
supported by NSF:
 Instrumentation for Arctic Ocean Exploration, October 16-18, 2002, Moss Landing, CA
 Arctic Observing Based on Ice-Tethered Platforms, June 28-30, 2004, Woods Hole, MA
NOAA Arctic Science Priorities Workshop, February 2-3 2005, Silver Spring, MD
THE CONCEPT:
Ice-based observatories are automated, drifting, ice-based sensor
systems providing comprehensive data from the Arctic
environment and incorporating the multidisciplinary needs of
biological, chemical and physical oceanography, as well as
different aspects of atmospheric and sea-ice studies.
The basic requirements are:
✔ Observation and real-time reporting, with high vertical resolution
and high accuracy, of an interdisciplinary suite of parameters from the
near-surface atmosphere, sea-ice, and upper ocean for multiple years;
✔ Ease of deployment from landed aircraft and helicopters in addition
to deployment by icebreaker;
✔ Modest cost, allowing them to be deployed in large numbers;
Distinguishing features of the IBO concept
 The IBO represents and satisfies the multidisciplinary needs of
Arctic oceanic climate system covering each of the biological,
atmospheric, cryospheric and oceanic regimes;
 The IBO provides simultaneous, high vertical resolution data
over sea-ice (near surface atmospheric boundary layer),
under sea-ice (upper 800m ocean layer), and within sea-ice;
 An array of IBOs is envisioned and, similar to IABP array, will
allow coverage of more than 40% of the Arctic Basin area;
 The IBO reports in near-real time, and data from IBO are
openly available via the internet;
 The IBO provides communication and data exchange
capabilities among different observing systems
Proof of concept: IBO prototypes in the field
At least four prototypes versions of oceanic observing
systems are already operating in the Arctic:
 IABP buoy array accompanied by Ice Mass Balance
(IMB) buoys;
 JAMSTEC J-CAD buoy in combination with IMB buoys;
 WHOI’s Ice-Tethered Profiler (ITP) in combination with
IMB buoy;
 North Pole Environmental Observatory (NPEO; which
includes Arctic Ocean Flux Buoys (AOFB), J-CADs and
IMB buoys.
The Mechanics

- Practical, cost-effective and proven IBO designs presently
exist, can be readily extended to provide interdisciplinary
observations, and should be implemented expeditiously as part
of a coordinated Arctic observing system.

- It is envisioned to deploy and operate an array of 30-40
IBOs. This new source of atmospheric, sea ice , and oceanic
data from all seasons and from multiple years will increase
knowledge of the state and variability of the Arctic by an
unprecedented amount.
 The publicly available data from the proposed IBOs will provide
the basis for both process studies and model
validation/assimilation research, work that will ultimately lead to
better understanding of the Arctic's role in global climate change.

- Once fully implemented, an array of IBOs will complement
bottom anchored, drifting float, and/or alternative ice-mounted
measurement systems.
Arctic Ocean monitoring
Ice-tethered profiler – key element
system