Research and Public Dataset Production on the Arctic Marine Environment
Principal Investigator：Eiji Watanabe (JAMSTEC)
Overview
Knowledge regarding ocean heat transport, marine ecosystem, and biogeochemical cycles in the Arctic central basins and marginal ice zones is still insufficient, and studying these topics is a pressing task in order to achieve sustainable utilization of the rapidly changing polar region. In this research program, we aim to clarify the Arctic marine environment, following three subprograms:
Subprograms 1. Ocean Heat/Freshwater Transport and Biogeochemical Cycles in Seasonal and Multi-Year Sea-Ice Zones.
Subprograms 2. Vulnerability and Resilience of Marine Ecosystem in Response to Rapid Sea-Ice Retreat
Subprograms 3. Air-Sea (Including Waves) Interactions Related to Sea Ice
Satellite-based dynamic height and ocean circulation fields
Illustration: Kohei Mizobata (Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology)
Scheduled cruise tracks in Synoptic Arctic Survey (SAS) project
Illustration: SAS Team
Each of the team members participates in multiple sub-programs, and we will aim to create an overall picture of the Arctic marine environment by exchanging information with related other groups. Our efforts with advanced observation systems to approach the marginal and multi-year ice zones—which despite being important areas had thus far been difficult to access—represent a major progression from the GRENE-Arctic and ArCS projects. As one means to provide valuable findings related with human society, we will release public datasets on the Arctic marine environment.
The findings of sub-programs 1 and 2 will contribute to the preservation and sustainable use of fish stocks controlled by the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean, as well as ecosystem-based management of marine food sources. Knowledge based on surveys in marginal ice zones and ice camp stations in sub-program 3 will be utilized to achieve more accurate prediction of sea conditions for safe and efficient navigation along the Arctic Sea Route.
