Outline of Main Research Theme for Research Vessel “MIRAI” during fiscal year 2005

Outline of Main Research Theme for Research Vessel “MIRAI”
during fiscal year 2005

1. Cruise Code :

MR05-02

2. Main research theme :

A study on the heat and material transports and their variability of the general ocean circulation
A study on chemical environment and its changes in the ocean

3. Objectives :

It is well known that the oceans play a central role in determining global climate. However heat and material transports in the ocean and their temporal changes have not yet been sufficiently quantified. Therefore the global climate change is not understood satisfactorily. The purposes of this research are to evaluate heat and material transports in the North Pacific and to detect its long term changes and basin-scale biogeochemical changes since the 1990s.

4. Outline of observation :

-	Measurements of temperature, salinity, oxygen and current from surface to bottom using CTD/O2 with LADCP
-	Water sampling using RMS (Salinity, Oxygen, Nutrients, CFCs, Total CO₂, Total Alkalinity, pH etc.)
-	Underway measurements (Shipborn ADCP, Bathymetry, Meteorological measurements etc.)

5. Main research area :

Western North Pacific
The stations are corresponding to WHP/P10.

6. Cruise period :

25.May 2005-2.July 2005(39days)

7. Ports of call :

Port of departure:	Sekiinehama
Port of call:	Guam

8. Proponent of main research theme :

Shuichi Watanabe (Chemical Oceanography)
Ikuo Kaneko (Physical Oceanographer)

9. Contact person for questionnaire on this cruise :

Takeshi Kawano
Center of Observational Research for Global Change
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)
2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, 237-0061, Japan
Phone: +81-46-867-9471, Fax: +81-46-867-9455, E-mail: kawanot@jamstec.go.jp

10. Remarks :

Land-to-land hydrographic observations with WHP criteria will be carried out on the cruise. Therefore, very large numbers of scientists and technicians from JAMSTEC, Marine Work Japan Co. and Global Ocean Development Co. will be on board. It is almost impossible to carry out any other observations than hydrography and underway measurements mentioned in the foregoing sections. Those who will apply cruises are hoped to be a PI of one of items nominated in section 4. All data derived from this study along WHP lines have to be quality controlled and opened through WHPO and JAMSTEC within two years after all legs.

<< BACK