Physical: The site is located in the center of the Irminger Sea gyre based on dynamic height contours and thus in a region of minimum stratification: convection is expected to reach maximum depth here, and the interannual variability of deep mixing and water mass formation, is not known at present. The site is expected to be representative of of the eastern part of the subpolar gyre. Since this is in the area of NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation) activity, impacts on the physical processes are expected and can be studied. Also, the station forms a dynamic height pair with PAP for monitoring the northeastward branch of the North Atlantic Current entering the polar seas.

CO₂: The subpolar gyre is one of the global maxima of CO₂ uptake of the ocean, and timeseries observations in this region are important for quantifying the sequestration and its variability. This is possible by combined measurements of physical variables and CO₂ partial pressure.

Biological: The subpolar gyre is probably one of the ocean regions with a rather simple food chain, and the zooplankton community is dominated by a single species (Calanus Finmarchicus). There are interesting research questions about this important species and its relevance for the fisheries in the region (redfish), as well as physical/climatic forcing of these. Being in the middle of a gyre, away from boundaries, the hope is that the system is reasonably 1-D and mooring timeseries can be more easily interpreted.

Funded for 2001-2004 via EU project ANIMATE, with physical (CTD,ADCP) sensors, CO₂, fluorescence, nutrients; satellite telemetry under development.First deployment scheduled for POSEIDON cruise 293/2, August 2002.

Improved understanding and forecasts of water mass formation in the thermohaline circulation system. Quantification of North Atlantic contribution to CO₂ sequestration. Improved understanding of ecosystem response to climatic forcing, ultimately with appliation to fisheries.

Role in the integrated global observing system: CIS will form a node in the dynamic height pairing network for the N.Atlantic, and be an essential element of a N.Atlantic CO₂ monitoring system.

ANIMATE

Distribution of sensor packages

CIS: AUG 2003-APR 2004

Deployed: deployed 27./28.08.2003 from R/V POSEIDON, cruise 302

Recovery probably April, 2004

Sensor	CIS		Remarks
	V433_02/CIS1	V434_02/CIS2
Telemetry 19972		0 m	IFMK, inductive, failure after 3 days
MC-TC-IM 2799		10 m

WD 2263 NAS2-2E HS2 (Fl) SAMI-SM MC-TCP-IM 2717	40 m		Single frame with buoyancy;
MC-TCP-IM 2263		55 m
MC-TC-IM 2257		85 m
MC-TCP-IMP 2262		125 m
ADCP-WH 300 kHz, up, S/N 2141	150 m
ADCP-LR down, S/N 2330	151 m		Frame
MC-TC-IM 2256		153 m
MC-TC-IM 2252		173 m
MC-TCP-IMP 2271		253 m

MC-TC-IM 2255		378 m
MC-TCP-IM 2264		553 m
MC-TC-IM 2254		754 m
RCM8 S/N 10076	1010 m
MC-TCP-IM 2265		1004 m
MC-TC-IM 2488		1248 m	No real time data
MC-TC-IM 2492		1498 m	No real time data
Mc Lane Trap 543	2300 m		McLain
RCM8 S/N 0125	2310 m
OCEANO Release, 52, 54	2 at 2744 m	2 at 2746 m

Legend:

- MC MicroCat with sensors for temperature T & conductivity C (salinity), optional pressure P; inductive modem IM to telemeter data through satellite buoy

- NAS2-2E. nutrient sensor

- HS2 fluorometer

- SAMI CO2 sensor

- RCM8 Aanderaa current meter

Compiled: 20.10.2003 by Thomas J. Müller, IFMK