In order to provide a solid basis for the observational monitoring of energy and material exchange between ocean and atmosphere it is planned to develop an autonomous observation system for operational use onboard available cargo- and research vessels. The project is based on a network of expertise from IFM-GEOMAR (CO2-/O2-fluxes, photosynthetic status, energy budget, remote sensing), IfT (lidar measurements), the GKSS research center (ferry box, remote sensing of marine biology with ENVISAT/MERIS) and AWI-Bremerhaven (CO2-system, marine infrastructure of RV Polarstern).

The multispectral Vis/NIR sun- and sky-radiometers FUBISS-ASA2 and FUBISS-ZENITH will be used for the remote sensing of aerosols along the ship's path. For direct sun conditions, the aerosol optical thickness in the atmospheric column will be observed every 30 minutes to contribute to the marine aerosol network of the NASA. The scientific goal is to investigate aerosol-cloud interactions and to explore the meridional gradient of tropospheric aerosol.

Monitoring dekadal temperature fluctuations in the Antarctic Bottom Water is the primary objective of additional high precision CTD observations in the Vema Sill and Extension sites.

During the transfer to Las Palmas we will conduct a test programm of mobile 2 x 20´container Hatlapa friction winch with a JDR umbilical cable. The test programm aims to restore the operability of the winch with the JDR cable. Furthermore, a new 18mm fibre optical cable as well as the corresponding telemetric system shall be tested under realistic sea conditions.

Following a forst operationell sea trial during ARK XXIII/1+2 a final test shall be performed during this cruise. Cruise participants will be trained in the self-efficient operation of the new hull-mount Parasound system P-70. Student training will be part of the POLMAR Graduate School. For the following cruise ANT-XXVI/2 a Multi-Sensor Core Logger (MSCL) will be installed and calibrated.

The concentrations and isotopic distribution of volatile organohalogens in air and surface water along a North-South transect will be measured continiously. The data will be used to obtain information on the North-South distribution, on a biogenic or anthropogenic origin and on possible coastal impacts on volatile organohalogen concentrations in seawater and air. Therefore, missing pieces in the picture of the environmental natural input of volatile organohalogens will be find.

Phylogenetic diversity and metabolic activity of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms will be determined along the meridional transects by molecular biological methods as well as with on board microcosm experiments.

Itinerary

16. October 2009: Departure Bremerhaven

27. Oktober 2009: Change of personnel and devices in Las Palmas

25. November 2009: Arrival Punta Arenas

Chief scientists

Saad El Naggar (until Las Palmas)
Andreas Macke

Where is Polarstern?