Collaborative Research: A Modular Approach to Building an Arctic Observing System for the IPY and Beyond in the Switchyard Region of the Arctic Ocean

资金将用于设计、开发和实施位于北冰洋开线区（格陵兰岛和纳雷斯海峡以北）的北冰洋观测系统的一个组成部分，该系统将为国际极地年（IPY）、北极环境变化研究（SEARCH）和相关项目的科学研究提供服务。该系统的定义要素是：(1)多平台设计；(2)将成熟的技术与创新的、非常有前途的、用于海冰覆盖下操作的新工具相结合，这些工具被认为是准永久性泛北极海洋系统的未来支柱；(3)采用模块化方法，允许将系统扩展到泛北极规模；(4)通过评估综合数据和建模结果不断改进设计。具体来说，该项目将继续并扩大Alert和北极之间的两个基于飞机的区域，用于长期观察水文特性和一套示踪剂，旨在利用北极CTD/ rossette系统，解决上层水柱中的相对年龄结构（CFC，氚/3He）和淡水成分（18O和Ba）。该模块化系统通过在海冰上钻一个12英寸的孔来部署，并跟踪温度、盐度和溶解氧，同时允许收集多达12个水样。该研究还将继续在纳尔斯海峡以西的大陆架斜坡上进行一次直升机飞行，以捕捉加拿大盆地周围的水团在前往纳尔斯海峡和弗拉姆海峡的途中的结构和运输。为了完成从加拿大盆地向纳尔斯海峡和弗拉姆海峡的水团运输的定量评估，将在纳尔斯海峡以西的大陆架上部署一套7个新的低成本轻质系泊装置，以分隔通过这些海峡的单个运输。最后，计划进行的实地观测将得到海冰运动和质量收支的卫星观测的加强。

Funds are provided for the design, development, and implemention of a component of an Arctic Ocean Observing System in the Switchyard region of the Arctic Ocean (north of Greenland and Nares Strait) that will serve the scientific studies developed for the IPY (International Polar Year), SEARCH (Study of Environmental ARctic Change), and related programs. The defining elements of the System are: (1) a multi-platform design, (2) combination of proven technology with adaptation of innovative, highly promising, new tools for operation under sea ice cover that are considered to be future backbones of a quasi-permanent, pan-Arctic Ocean System, (3) a modular approach that allows expansion of the system to a pan-Arctic scale, and (4) ongoing refinement of the design through evaluation of combined data and modeling results. Specifically, the project will continue and expand two aircraft-based sections between Alert and the North Pole for long-term observation of hydrographic properties and a set of tracers aimed at resolving relative age structure (CFC's, tritium/3He) and freshwater components (18O and Ba) in the upper water column, utilizing the Arctic CTD/rosette system. This modular system is deployed through a 12" hole drilled through the sea ice and traces temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, while at the same time allowing the collection of up to 12 water samples. The study also will continue one helicopter section across the shelf slope just west of Nares Strait to capture the structure and transport of the water masses coming around the Canadian Basin on their way to Nares and Fram Straits. To complete the quantitative assessment of the transport of the water masses from the Canadian Basin towards Nares Strait and Fram Strait, a set of 7 new, low-cost, lightweight moorings will be deployed across the shelf just west of Nares Strait to separate the individual transports through these straits. Finally, the planned in situ observations will be augmented by satellite-derived observations of the sea ice motion and mass budget.