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Autonomous Platforms in the Arctic Observing Network

Autonomous Platforms in the Arctic Observing Network
Type: 
Parallel
Time: 
17 March 2010 - 10:20am
Craig M. Lee1, Humfrey Melling2, Hajo Eicken3, Peter Schlosser4, Jean-Claude Gascard5, Andrey Proshutinsky6, Eberhard Fahrbach7, Cecilie Mauritzen8, James Morison9, Igor Polyakov10
1Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, 1013 NE 40th St, Seattle, WA, 98105-6698, USA, Phone +1-206-685-7656, craig [at] apl [dot] washington [dot] edu
2Institute of Ocean Sciences, USA
3Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, USA
4Lamont Dougherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
5Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
6Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
7Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar und Meeresforschung, Bermerhaven, Germany
8Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Norway
9Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
10International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, USA

Autonomous platforms (e.g., floats, ice-based observatories, (IBOs) and gliders) can contribute scalable, flexible elements to the Arctic Observing Network (AON), providing access to remote, ice-covered regions and enabling persistent, sustained sampling and broad spatial coverage of the deep basins, marginal ice zone, shallow boundaries and gateways. Floats, gliders and IBOs excel at providing year-round measurements over extended (years) time periods, while their relatively modest per-platform operating costs permit deployment in quantities that are large enough to provide unprecedented spatial coverage. These platforms can be efficiently operated in large numbers and employ operating modes and logistics that can readily respond to evolving observational priorities. Autonomous instruments can be used in tandem with conventional approaches to create a sustainable AON that retains the ability to adapt to rapidly evolving environmental conditions and advances in understanding that drive shifts in observational priorities. The flexibility provided by autonomous approaches will also help the AON balance between the long-term needs of climate studies and the short-term demands of providing relevant data products to arctic stakeholders. Recent IPY successes with autonomous technologies, such as the International Arctic Buoy Program's Pan-Arctic array, the IBO array and under-ice navigation and operation of autonomous gliders at regional scales, place the community in a position to contemplate wider adoption, though significant hurdles remain. Challenges include development of a basin-scale acoustic navigation and communications network, development of miniaturized, energy-efficient biogeochemical sensors suitable for long-term autonomous deployment and international coordination both for support and for broad access that spans the EEZs of the Arctic nations. The AON should exploit autonomous technologies and foster their development for arctic applications, with an eye toward using these systems as key building blocks for the construction of a sustainable, long-term observing system.

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National Science Foundation | Division of Arctic Sciences
National Science Foundation
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere
International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere
Study of Environmental Arctic Change
Study of Environmental Arctic Change
Arctic System Science Program
Arctic System Science Program
US Arctic Research Commission
US Arctic Research Commission
North Slope Science Initiative
North Slope Science Initiative
International Arctic Science Committee
International Arctic Science Committee
Arctic Ocean Sciences Board
Arctic Ocean Sciences Board
Alaska Ocean Observing System
Alaska Ocean Observing System
Department of Energy
Department of Energy
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
World Wildlife Fund
WWF
Association of Polar Early Career Scientists
Association of Polar Early Career Scientists
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
International Study of Arctic Change
International Study of Arctic Change
ArcticNet
ArcticNet
DAMOCLES
Developing Arctic Modeling and Observing Capabilities for Long-term Environmental Studies

This work is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the ARCUS Cooperative Agreement ARC-0618885. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF.