Objective Problem to be solved:Cost-effective monitoring of ocean circulation and understanding links to climate change.Objectives and approach:The overall objective is: to develop an inexpensive, reliable method to monitor ocean fluxes using existing observation system.Other objectives are:a) to monitor the inflow of salt and heat to the northern seas for the analysis of climate variability, distinguishing between the warmer (eastern) and cooler (western) inflow past the Faroes, and the major routes through the Barents Sea, with a time resolution better than a week, a spatial resolution of the major routes (e.g. slope currents) and an accuracy better than 15%, andb) to understand the causes of errors and recommend strategies to improve the future accuracy of such a monitoring tool. The proposed method is based on a simplified geostrophic theory with an exterior sea at rest. The work will involve gathering an adequate database for the analysis of historical variability back to the mid 70's. This will include coastal sea level, bottom pressure, coastal hydrography, satellite altimetry, ice-front motions, meteorologic forcing data and in-site measurements of currents. The analyses of these data will be used to demonstrate the details to be expected by this method over the larger inflow domain from the North Atlantic to the Arctic shelf seas. The main coastal stations are Lerwick, Torshavn, Bodo, Hammerfest, Ny Aalesund and Amderma. Emphasis will be put on the effects of the outer reference conditions as a source of error for the application of the method. A dedicated validation study of flows in the Shetland-Iceland section and in the Barents Sea, including bottom pressures, is planned for summer 2000 through summer 2001. This will extend the period of in-site monitoring of the inflow beyond the present field programs (VEINS). The project will use the results of earlier measurement programs. The analyses of these data and the results of the dedicated validation study will be used to evaluate the accuracy of such a tool for monitoring climate variability, among other things, and reveal necessary changes to improve the accuracy and resolution of the method.Expected impact:The project will lead to a better understanding of efficient monitoring techniques and the relationship between oceanic phenomena and their coastal impacts. A user-oriented steering committee will ensure that the results will be available to the public and to decision makers. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabasesengineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technologynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes Programme(s) FP5-EESD - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Energy, environment and sustainable development, 1998-2002" Topic(s) 1.1.4.-2. - Key action Global Change, Climate and Biodiversity Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator FOUNDATION FOR TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AT THE NORWEGIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY EU contribution No data Address 153,Rich. Birkelandsvei 3 7465 TRONDHEIM Norway See on map Total cost No data Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all INSTITUTE OF MARINE RESEARCH Norway EU contribution No data Address Nordnesgaten 50 BERGEN See on map Total cost No data NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Bidston Observatory L43 7RA BIRKENHEAD See on map Total cost No data SCOTTISH OFFICE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Victoria Road Torry AB9 8DB Aberdeen See on map Total cost No data SWEDISH METEOROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL INSTITUTE Sweden EU contribution No data Address Folkborgsvägen 1 601 76 NORRKÖPING See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITE PIERRE ET MARIE CURIE - PARIS VI France EU contribution No data Address Place Jussieu 4 75252 PARIS See on map Total cost No data
