The Hawaii Ocean Time-series (HOT): Sustaining ocean ecosystem and climate observations in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre

University Of Hawaii, Honolulu

Investigators

Abstract

Intellectual Merit: This proposal will extend funding for the Hawaii Ocean Time-series(HOT) research program for an additional 5 year period (August 2013-July 2018). This will extend the program into its 30th year of sustained observations of ocean ecosystem and climate variability at Station ALOHA in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG). The underlying objectives of HOT continue to focus on documenting temporal dynamics in the cycling of carbon and associated bioelements, in addition to identifying variability associated with hydrological and ecological properties, heat fluxes, and circulation of the NPSG. The program relies on monthly shipboard and near-continuous moored platform measurements to document variability in ocean properties and processes over time scales ranging from semi-diurnal to decadal. Foremost among HOT accomplishments are improved quantification of reservoirs and fluxes of carbon and associated bioelements, identification of how changes to the North Pacific hydrological cycle influence ocean physics and biogeochemistry, increased understanding of the sensitivity of bioelemental cycling to large scale ocean-climate interactions, and creation of long-term data sets needed for assessing future changes to the NPSG. This award provides funds to maintain the high quality suite of biogeochemical and physical measurements required for continued assessment of dynamics in ocean carbon and nutrient pools and fluxes, physical climate, plankton community structure, ecosystem productivity, and inherent optical properties. Increasing the length of program observations continues to improve the value of the dataset for deciphering how low-frequency natural and anthropogenic climate signals influence ecosystem structure in the NPSG. Such efforts will continue to aid on-going biogeochemical and numerical ocean circulation models required for predicting how future habitat perturbations may influence ecosystem dynamics in the NPSG. Broader Impacts: Education, outreach, and training will continue to play a prominent role in HOT program activities. HOT provides a unique learning platform for high school, undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students and teachers from Hawaii and around the world. The monthly HOT cruises provide short-duration (4 day) opportunities for students and teachers to gain first-hand exposure to ocean and climate sciences. In addition, HOT helps support the research of numerous ocean scientists who rely on the program's infrastructure (ship time, staff, laboratories, and equipment) to conduct their research, education and outreach activities. For example, the Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education (C-MORE) uses the monthly HOT cruises for their "Teachers-at Sea" program that provides opportunities for local area middle school and high school teachers to participate in oceanographic field research. Moreover, HOT PIs maintain a strong commitment to mentoring and training of secondary, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students, and the current proposal requests support for both graduate and undergraduate students. HOT program data remain readily accessible and freely available. For example, HOT CO2 data are being included in the forthcoming 5th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, increasing the visibility of program data and public awareness of ocean-climate change. Moreover, program data are widely used in the classroom and appear in textbooks on ocean science.