Summary of Research Cruise Research Vessel“MIRAI”during fiscal year 2009

Outline of Main Research Theme for
Research Vessel “MIRAI” during fiscal year 2009

1. Cruise Code :

MR09-03

2. Main research theme:

Multi-disciplinary observation cruise for the Arctic Ocean

3. Objectives:

Multi-disciplinary observation cruise for the Arctic Ocean conducted by R/V Mirai in September-October 2009 focuses on;
a. To quantify on-going changes in ocean, atmosphere, and ecosystem, which are related to the recent Arctic warming and sea ice reduction,
b. To clarify important processes and interactions among atmosphere, ocean, and ecosystem behind changes of the Arctic Ocean,
c. To collect data for understanding the effects of the Arctic Ocean changes on global climate.
Keywords: Arctic Ocean climate system, Arctic Ocean circulation, Atmosphere-sea ice-ocean interaction, Arctic Ocean ecosystem

4. Outline of observation:

The observation cruise mainly consists of the following two stages;
1. Sectional observation across the major basins of the Arctic Ocean
2. Observation at some special fixed points
The sectional observation will reveal a typical distribution of each observational parameter across the major basins of the Arctic Ocean and will clarify changes of the Arctic Ocean climate compared with the previous observation data and model results. The stationary observation at some special fixed points will clarify interactive processes among atmosphere, ocean, and ecosystem of the Arctic Ocean, e.g., heat transfer between atmosphere and ocean. The following observations will be planned during this cruise;
CTD/LADCP/water sampling observation, ocean turbulent measurements, surface water monitoring, ADCP measurement along the cruise track, Radiosonde observation, Doppler radar observation, satellite observation, meteorological monitoring during the cruise and so on.

5.Main research area:

The Arctic Ocean (Canadian, Makarov, Amundsen, and Nansen basins)

Cruise track (plan) on the International Bathymetric chart of the Arctic Ocean

6.Cruise period:

From August 28, 2009 (Sekinehama) to October 25, 2009 (Sekinehama) (59 days)
For the Arctic Ocean;
From September 7, 2009 (Dutch Harbor) to October 15, 2009 (Dutch Harbor) (39 days)

7.Ports of call (tentative):

Port of departure:	Sekinehama, Aomori, JAPAN
Port of call :	Dutch Harbor, Alaska, U.S.A.

8.Proponent of main research theme:

Dr. Takashi Kikuchi
Arctic Ocean Climate System Group
Global Warming Observational Research Program,
Institute of Observational Research for Global Change,
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

9. Contact person for questionnaire on this cruise:

, TEL:046-867-9486, FAX:046-867-9455

10. Remarks :

1) Assuming that sea ice extent in September-October 2009 will be the same as or smaller than that in September 2007, this observation cruise is planned. Therefore, if sea ice and other natural conditions prevent us from conducting this plan, we will concentrate our observation only in sea ice free area of the Arctic Ocean in 2009. Note that R/V Mirai is not an ice-breaker, but an ice-strengthened vessel.
2) This observation cruise plan includes missions within Russian EEZ, near Severnaya Zemlya and U.S. EEZ, north of Alaska. We need to negotiate them according to UNCLOS. If it is not successful, we will omit observations in the area.

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