The Bering Strait is the only Pacific Gateway to the Arctic
Ocean. Since 1990, the properties of the Pacific inflow to the
Arctic have been measured by moorings in the Bering Strait (more info).
This inflow is important as it is a source of
nutrients, freshwater and heat for the Arctic Ocean, with implications
for Arctic sea-ice, ocean stratification and ecosystems. Data
indicate that since 2001 the fluxes of heat and freshwater through the
strait has been increasing (see here). The most
recent data so
far available (2004) suggest that year had the highest heat flux since
moored measurements began.
In 2005, three Bering Strait moorings were deployed
off the CCGS
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, to measure the throughflow properties
in what maybe a continuing warming environment (cruise report). Now in
2006, as
part of a joint Canadian-US expedition aboard the CCGS
Sir Wilfrid
Laurier, we have recovered and redeployed these moorings.
For details, see:
- the 2006 UW Mooring Cruise report
- the daily
journal of teacher-at-sea, Betty Carvellas
Right: Diagram of one of
the three Bering Strait moorings, consisting of a ULS (Upward Looking
Sonar, measuring ice thickness), a steel float, an RCM (recording
current meter, meauring water velocity), an SBE SeaCat (measuring water
temperature, salinity and fluorescence), more floatation, an NAS
(Nutrient Sampler, measuring nitrate), two acoustic releases, and
an anchor weight.
Our thanks go to
the captain and crew
of the CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier for their hard work, skill, and
professionalism during the cruise.
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