Title: The NERC Sustained Observations
1The NERC Sustained Observations
Denise Smythe-Wright
2- NERC Oceans 2025
-
- Theme 1 Climate, circulation and sea level
- Theme 2 Marine biogeochemical cycles Theme
3 Shelf and coastal processes Theme
4 Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning Theme
5 Continental margins and deep ocean Theme 6
Sustainable marine resources Theme
8 Technology Development - Theme 9 Next generation ocean prediction
- Theme 10 Sustained observations
- Not all NERC laboratories are involved in every
theme - http//www.oceans2025.org/publications.php
3- NERC Sustained Observations
-
SO 1 Atlantic Meridional Transect (PML, NOCS) SO
2 Porcupine Abyssal Plain Ocean Observatory
(NOCS) SO 3 Atlantic Meridional Overturning
Circulation (NOCS, POL) SO 4 The extended
Ellett Line (NOCS, SAMS) SO 5 Argo profiling
float system (NOCS) SO 6 Antarctic
Circumpolar Current transport and properties
(NOCS, POL) SO 7 UK contribution to GLOSS sea
level network (S. Atlantic and Antarctic
(POL) SO 8 Pride of Bilbao ferrybox (NOCS) -
funded under EU grants SO 9 Climate-quality
surface marine observations and products
(NOCS) SO 10 Western Channel Observatory (PML,
MBA) SO 11 Liverpool Bay Coastal Observatory
(POL) SO 12 Tiree Passage time series (SAMS) SO
13 Arctic Shelf time series (SAMS) SO
14 Long-term observations of marine mammal
population dynamics (SMRU) SO 15 Continuous
Plankton Recorder Survey (SAHFOS)
4NERC Sustained Observations
- Aim
- To obtain knowledge on a wide range of ecosystem
properties and processes - To provide long-term data sets
- To capture extreme or episodic events
- To play a role in the initialisation and
validation of models - Provide underpinning knowledge for marine
stewardship and international assessments through
Defra UKMMAS, UKGOOS, GMES
5SO1 - Atlantic Meridional Transect
Specific objectives. To collect hydrographic,
chemical, ecological and optical data on
transects between the UK and the Falkland
Islands.
- Underway measurements (using towed instruments
and the onboard non-toxic surface seawater
supply) - Daily CTD depth profiles and water sample
collection to 1000m.
Main deliverables Extended time series
(1995-2011) of physical structure,
biogeochemical properties and planktonic
ecosystems in the Atlantic Ocean, for use in
development and validation of models related to
the global carbon cycle An accessible dataset
through the BODC website (most data to be open
access within 6-12 mo of each cruise), together
with web-based data visualisation, and analysis
of in situ and EO data.
PML NOCS
6AMT Parameters
PML NOCS
7SO2 - Porcupine Abyssal Plain Deep Ocean
Observatory
PAP is a fixed point sustained eulerian
observatories comprising a variety of moorings
and sensors. Main Objective To make physical,
chemical and biological observations of the full
water column with sufficient temporal resolution
and duration to detect environmental change on a
variety of timescales eg hours to decades. To
determine the effects of such changes on deep
ocean ecosystem structure and function. Main
deliverables A time series of multidisciplinary
data from an open ocean location in both real
time and delayed mode Deep water downward
particle flux. Characteristics, abundance and
biomass of epibenthic and infauna.
.
NOCS
8SO2 - Porcupine Abyssal Plain Deep Ocean
Observatory
It considers the system as a whole from
meteorology, upper ocean physics, upper ocean
productivity, particle export, deep ocean flux
and their effect on seabed communities and
biogeochemistry.
- Measurements include
- pCO2
- nitrate
- water currents
- CTD
- phytoplankton concentration
- particle concentration
- downward particle flux
- use of benthic time lapse cameras
- repeated collection and analysis of benthic fauna
during research cruises - Data supported by transects carried out by AMT,
CAVASSOO and CPR.
NOCS
9SO3 - Meridional Overturning Circulation
Wave array
Rapid mooring to continuously observe the
Atlantic MOC and WAVE array to look at
variability in Western Atlantic
- Main Objectives
- To carry out cruise-based hydrographic
measurements across the North Atlantic along
26.5?N in 2009 and 2014 in order to complement
and test the Rapid/Rapid-Watch monitoring array.
- To thereby extend the time-series of high
precision physical and chemical transoceanic
measurements at this section to 58Â years. - To provide support for the Western Atlantic
Variability Experiment (WAVE) array, at three
sections across the US and Canadian continental
slope between Cape Cod and the Grand Banks. - NOCS responsibility for 26.5?N section POL for
WAVE array
NOCS POL
10SO3 - Meridional Overturning Circulation
- Main deliverables
- A cost efficient, effective monitoring system for
the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation
(MOC) at 26.5?N - A real time index of MOC strength and variability
- A trans-Atlantic hydrographic section at 26.5?N
to provide an independent estimate of the MOC. - Time series of ocean bottom pressure,
temperature, and salinity, from the North
Atlantic Deep Western Boundary Current region,
north of the Gulf Stream.
NOCS POL
11SO4 - Extended Ellett Line
- Annual full depth hydrographic section
- between Scotland, Rockall and Iceland
- and mooring across the Wyville -
- Thompson Ridge.
- Main Objectives
- To monitor the warm inflow from the North
Atlantic into the Nordic Seas with annual
occupations of a the extended Ellett Line To
establish how oceans west of UK are changing. -
- To monitor the overflow across the
Wyville-Thomson Ridge using a moored current
meter. - To extend temporal coverage using gliders and
floats. - To extend ecosystem coverage through observations
of the upper ocean biological community,
focussing on biotic elements susceptible to
change.
Original line since 1975 Iceland since 1996
NOCS SAMS
12SO4 - Extended Ellett Line
Main deliverable A time series of the evolution
of the hydrography of the northeast Atlantic,
which will contribute greater understanding of
the causes of any changes observed.
- Measurements include
- CTD - TS
- nutrients
- water currents
- pCO2
- phytoplankton concentration
Data set available to the international community
via BODC
NOCS SAMS
13SO5 - Argo Profiling System
The International Argo programme aims to
instrument the entire ocean with autonomous
profiling floats UK Objectives To continue to
play leading role in developing Argo
instrumentation To ensure national and
international data acquisition, calibration and
delivery that facilities NERC science Ensure UK
contribution meets the standards set by the
international programme Support the deployment
of new floats - exploited by NERC research
programmes
http//www.coriolis.eu.org/ http//www.usgodae.or
g/argo/argo.html
NOCS
14SO6 - Antarctic Circumpolar Current
Main Objectives To maintain an annual
hydrographic section across the ACC at Drake
Passage, based on measurements of temperature,
salinity and currents, with the opportunity for
additional biogeochemical measurements (e.g.
relating to carbon system) To provide datasets
to test whether models produce the correct level
of interannual variability To maintain the ocean
bottom pressure and temperature time series from
Drake Passage. To adapt the bottom pressure
monitoring system to maximize the value of other
observational programmes in the region.
Objective (i) addressed by NOCS objectives
(ii) (iv) by POL. Data held by BODC
NOCS POL
15SO 7 - UK contribution to the GLOSS sea level
network South Atlantic and Antarctic
Specific objectives To make a major UK
contribution to the construction of the global
sea level network (GLOSS) To take advantage of
the UK-owned sites to provide scientific-quality
data sets (some in near-real time) for use in
operational oceanography and in oceanographic and
climate research. To provide relevant sea level
data sets and products to the British Dependent
Territories of the South Atlantic for local
applications, especially in areas of economic
importance.
POL
16SO 7 - UK contribution to the GLOSS sea level
network South Atlantic and Antarctic
Main deliverables Integrationed sea level
and/or sub-surface pressure every 15 min
(increased to every minute at some locations) at
Gibraltar, Ascension, St. Helena, Port Stanley,
Vernadsky and Rothera Tristan da Cunha, Signy and
South Georgia Wave data (approx 1Hz sampling)
and ancillary data sets (air and sea temperature,
air pressure etc.) at each site. Related
necessary geodetic information (levelling data
etc.) and metadata. Data available in both
near-real time mode (via GLOSS Fast Centre at
Univ of Hawaii) for operational applications and
effective error reporting, and in delayed, fully
quality-controlled mode for long term scientific
research (via BODC)
POL
17P O Pride of Bilbao ferry route
2
Online Web sensors _at_ 1Hz Conductivity
Temperature Chlorophyll-fluorescen
ce _at_30secs O2 (start 2005) pCO2 (mid
2005-7) March April 2007 testing of SWIRE-SNOMS
gas exchange system (pC02)
35 hrs 1000 km Every 3 days
Project started April 2002
Monthly water samples From Feb 2003
NO3, Si, PO4, Chl a, Salinity, O2 (2004 -),
Alkalinity, TCO2 (2005-), pH (2007-)
NOCS
18SO9 - Climate-quality surface marine
observations and products
- Provides the mechanism for integrating the
increasing sources of historical and operational
environmental data into the coherent datasets
essential for understanding climate change. - Main Objectives
- Developing climate quality datasets from
long-term marine meteorological operational
observations. - Reanalysis of satellite datasets and new methods
of exploiting remotely sensed signals.
NOCS
19SO9 - Climate-quality surface marine
observations and products
Main deliverables 50 year surface in situ
meteorological and flux dataset, presented on a
monthly mean 1 area grid including bias
correction, sampling and bias uncertainty
estimates and full documentation. 20 year
combined in situ and satellite surface
meteorological and flux dataset (as
above). Published intercomparisons of in situ
and remotely sensed SST, winds, waves and
precipitation. Calibrated, quality assured and
documented satellite data and gridded products,
incorporating new methods of quality control and
estimation of uncertainty, including for sea
surface height, waves, winds, salinity and
precipitation. Near real time availability of
data products
NOCS
20SO 10 - Western Channel Observatory
Specific objectives To maintain and develop
in situ measurements made at stations L4, L5, E1
and adjacent coasts in the western English
Channel To integrate these measurements with
ecosystem modelling studies and Earth
observation, facilitated by web-based GIS
technology
PML MBA
21SO 10 Western Channel Observatory
Meteorological - (temperature, humidity,
pressure, wind speed and direction, rainfall
PAR, solar irradiance, aerosol loading)
Hydrography (vertical temperature and salinity
profiles), optics (up- and down-welling
irradiance ac-9, VSF and bb6 for inherent
optical properties) FRRF and fluorometry, TSM,
CDOM, PABS) nutrients, phytoplankton, pigments
(carotenoids and chlorophylls),
zooplankton/microzooplankton, HAB now-cast
Bottom fish assemblages and phenology benthos
and SW intertidal time-series RV Quest real-time
along track measurements (telemetered
temperature, salinity, attenuation, oxygen,
spectral solar irradiance, pH and
pCO2) http//www.westernchannelobservatory.org.uk/
data.php
PML MBA
22SO 11 - Liverpool Bay Coastal Observatory
Specific objectives To routinely monitor the
northern Irish Sea. To develop the synthesis of
measurements and models in the coastal ocean to
optimize measurement arrays and forecast
products. To drive forward shelf seas
operational oceanography with the direct
objective of improving the national forecasting
capability, through links to NCOF. iv) To
exploit the long time-series of observations and
model outputs, in order to identify the roles of
climate and anthropogenic inputs on the coastal
oceans physical and biological functioning
POL
23SO 11 - Liverpool Bay Coastal Observatory
High frequency ADCP, conductivity, temperature,
turbidity and fluorescence Cefas directional
wavebuoy and Smartbuoy collecting surface
properties including salinity, temperature,
turbidity, nutrients, irradiance and
chlorophyll) Spatial survey (at 4-6 week
intervals vertical profiles of CTD, SPM, some
bed sediment sampling and surface and bed
nutrients, phytoplankton, zooplankton)
Birkenhead Belfast ferry samples (at 5m depth
temperature, salinity, turbidity, chlorophyll)
Tide gauges (real-time data from gauges operated
by MDHC and the UK tide gauge network)
Satellite imagery (weekly composite satellite
data, AVHRR SST and ocean colour, via NEODAAS)
HF radar (phased array system measuring surface
currents and waves
POL
24SO12-Tiree Passage Time Series
Mooring located at 50 m water depth in the
narrowest sector of the Tiree Passage, a SW-NE
orientated strait between the Isle of Mull to the
southeast and the Isles of Coll and Tiree to the
northwest. Specific objectives To maintain the
Tiree Passage time series on the western coast of
Scotland as the longest moored time series of
flow and temperature on the NW European
continental shelf (since 1981). To extend the
observations by addition of a fluorometer and
deployment of an Acoustic Doppler Current
Profiler.
SAMS
25SO12-Tiree Passage Time Series
Data Hourly current, temperature and salinity
measurements are made using recording current
meters and salinity sensors at 20 m and 45m above
the sea bed www.mba.ac.uk/MECN/publications.htmD
CR).
SAMS
26SO 13 - Arctic Shelf Time Series
Single point mooring begun in 2002 in Kongsfjord,
Svalbard at 250m water depth with temperature
and salinity at three depths, ADCP, two sediment
traps, and fluorimetery. Specific
objectives To integrate the SO13 time series
data with data collected at other moored
observatories on Arctic shelves to present a
pan-Arctic view of seasonal response and
long-term change.
SAMS
27SO 14 - Long-term observations of marine mammal
population dynamics
Specific objectives Population surveys of
seals and the coordination of information on the
abundance of cetaceans in European
waters. Population monitoring Demographic
monitoring Factors affecting survival in seal
populations Observation of seal
diet Observation of prey consumption Observing
at sea populations
SMRU
28SO 15 - Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey
The CPR survey uses ships of opportunity to tow,
along their standard routes, machines at 10m
that sample the plankton on a band of silk.
Specific objectives To maintain the spatial and
temporal integrity of the core North Atlantic
survey To provide a long-term baseline of the
near-surface distribution, abundance and
diversity of phyto- and zooplankton http//www.sa
hfos.ac.uk/data.htm
SAHFOS
Standard CPR tow routes sampled during 2004
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