Observe changes in the ecosystem, fluxes of heat, salt, nutrients, CO2, and methane from the seafloor to the atmosphere above, as a function of changing climate in the Pacific Arctic region from the Bering Strait north to the high Arctic. Main gaps: So far unable to go far into the ice for investigation, although the geographical scope of the RUSALCA mission increased in 2009 because of the reduction of sea ice cover. (we were able to reach a northernmost site and to sample as far north as 77°30’N.
Physical Oceanography, nutrients, productivity, CO2, CH4. Seafloor geology, benthic ecosystems, water column zoo and phytoplankton, fish (juvenile and adult), marine mammals, Microbiology.
US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
U.S.-Russian Federation Science and Technology Agreement, MOU between NOAA and RAS on World Oceans and Polar Regions Studies. Networks:
no