IfM-Kiel, Germany is involved in three major projects in the tropical/subtropical
Atlantic. The programs have long term perspectives with individual funding
periods of three years, starting 1999. The work comprises mooring deployments,
shipboard observations and Float launches, with the major dates during the
initial 3 year phase summarized in the table below.
Tropical/Subtropical Interaction in the Atlantic
is a multiyear observational program combining repeat deployments
of moored stations at 7.5°S with
float and shipboard observations (CTDO2,
LADCP, VMADCP, CFCs) for investigating the subtropical-tropical coupling of
the warm water circulation (the shallow subtropical-tropical cell, STC)
in the western tropical South Atlantic. The focus is on interanual variability of this coupling
and its relation to oceanatmosphere interactions.
The program is a component of the German/Clivar program that is funded since March
1999;
PIs: F. Schott, J. Fischer and L. Stramma.
Interhemispheric Exchange of Deep Water Masses The second project is logistically
linked to the above Clivar project, that is, cruises and mooring work at 7.5°S are combined.
The scientific objectives of this program are the determination and quantification of the
deep water circulation in the equatorial belt, and the role of the equator for deep water
mass transformation.
The program is a component of the DeepSea Research program of the German Ministry of
Research, subprogram ''TIEFBIT''. The program is funded since 1996 and a continuation
is proposed.
PIs: F. Schott, J. Fischer, L. Stramma, and M. Rhein.
Integral monitoring of the MOC intensity A moored array will be maintained
near 16°N
with annual deployments starting Jan 2000, in order to use integrating ''end point'' techniques
for observing the southward transport fluctuations of the cold limb of the THC.
Three moorings with approx. 15 microcat T/S sensors each will allow derivation of the
baroclinic geostrophic transport between the western boundary (Guadeloupe Island) and
the Midatlantic Ridge (Researcher Ridge). Inverted echosounders with highprecision pres
sure sensors will give timeseries of the barotropic pressure gradients. Transports are ex
pected to be made absolute with repeated RAFOS float deployments along the section.
Later tomography instruments will be added to obtain the horizontally integrated heat
content. The deployment is interfaced with McCartney and Mauritzen's GAGE moorings
which will be placed between the IfM integrating moorings.
The program is a component of the German/Clivar program that is funded since March
1999;
PIs: U. Send, W. Zenk, and M. Rhein.
