HR: 09:15h
AN: OS41E-05 INVITED     [Abstracts]
TI: Watching the Ocean in the COOL room: The Evolution of the Shelf-Wide New Jersey Shelf Observing System (NJ SOS)
AU: * Schofield, O
EM: oscar@imcs.rutgers.edu
AF: Coastal Ocean Observation Lab, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University , New Brunswick, NJ 08901
AU: Kohut, J
EM: kohut@imcs.rutgers.edu
AF: Coastal Ocean Observation Lab, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University , New Brunswick, NJ 08901
AU: Glenn, S
EM: glenn@imcs.rutgers.edu
AF: Coastal Ocean Observation Lab, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University , New Brunswick, NJ 08901
AB: To study changes occurring within the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB), we have constructed a shelf-wide ocean observatory. While initial efforts focused on using an undersea cable, our experience during a series of Coastal Predictive Skill Experiments was spatial data was the most highly valued scientific and operational commodity. To that end we have focused on developing a subsurface capability to mirror the existing spatial mapping capabilities of satellites and HF Radar. While satellites and CODARs have been operational for several years, the Slocum Gliders have matured into operational tools this last year. Currently in situ spatial data in our ocean observatory is collected with a fleet of autonomous underwater Slocum Gliders that can collect physical and bio-optical data throughout the year under all weather conditions. We have flown the Glider over 5000 kilometers in MAB during 2003-2004 carrying a range of physical and bio-optical sensors. Our efforts have focused on understanding biogeochemical dynamics on the MAB. The subsurface spatial sampling capabilities of the Gliders have revealed highly energetic subsurface features associated with coastal upwelling, the Mid-Atlantic Cold Pool, and shelf-slope exchange processes. These subsurface dynamics reveal a great deal variability that is missed by the CODAR and satellite imagery. We will review these results highlighting how the operational shelf-wide New Jersey Shelf-Wide Observatory is evolving to better study the mesoscale dynamics of the MAB.
UR: http://marine.rutgers.edu/cool
DE: 4805 Biogeochemical cycles (1615)
DE: 4847 Optics
DE: 4219 Continental shelf processes
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting