Description
To learn about efficiency of transport of terrigenous material in the coastal regions. To quantify fluxes of organic and inorganic matter from a fiord into the Barents Sea. To establish relationships for interpretation of ocean color data. Data will be used to quantify transport of material out of the fiord. We will carry out two field experiments in Porangerfjord, Norway and collect in situ data. We will derive optical proxies and estimate the concentrations. Concentrations combined with measured water currents will allow us to estimate the transport of material out of the fiord. Oceanographers will apply ocean color algorithms to interpret satellite data. PhD students will gain international experience. Regional information about primary productivity will benefit local fisheries. IMR is interested in progress of knowledge about ecosystems of the Barents Sea. Currently another project is being proposed by the MRI to extend our research. Our collaboration aims to cement ties between the scientists from distant parts of Europe and to exchange knowledge. This will be reflected in joint research publications.
Summary of project results
Arctic regions are undergoing climate-related changes. It is important to learn how these changes affect functioning of fjords. Our goal was to improve understanding of environmental feedbacks influencing export of suspended matter out of Porsanger fjord. To achieve the planned results we carried out field experiments in the summers of 2014 and 2015. We have measured surface currents using state-of-the-art High Frequency Radar system. This allowed us to monitor currents on large area of the external part of the fjord with time resolution of 15 minutes and spatial resolution of 0.75 km. In addition using a boat we collected vertical profiles of water temperature and salinity and bio-optical properties. We also collected water samples to measure concentrations of total suspended matter, particulate organic carbon, chlorophyll, and dissolved organic carbon. These are environmentally important water components. Using statistical relationships between data from water samples and in situ bio=optical profiles we were able to convert bio-optical data to concentrations of water components and to study its spatial and temporal variability. These results were presented in ?? international and ?? national conferences, published in ?? research papers and one popular science paper. In addition the information was provided to school students and general public through our fun pages and during Science Festivals at the Department of Earth Sciences at Szczecin University.
Summary of bilateral results
The fieldwork has been shared by both partners. This was beneficial for the project, because each group supplied some oceanographic instrumentation, which is very costly. IMR supplied instruments that were used on mooring deployed in 2014, and organized a visit of an oceanographic vessel to the fiord in 2015. IMR also provided access to coastal station for accommodation of Polish scientists and wet laboratory at the station for water samples filtration. Lab was equipped with ultra clean water system. Polar Circle boat belonging to the station was used for in situ hydrographic work by the Polish team. We have shared collected data sets. In 2016 Polish team visited IMR, where we organized joint seminar for presentations of the results from the project. Currently we have 1 joint paper submitted for publication, another paper is under preparation, and ??joint conference presentations. In addition each partner published and presented his own research results from this project. We are going to continue our collaboration in the near future, as one of the Polish Young Researchers (PhD student Paulina Aniskiewicz) is going to use datacollected during Nordflux experiments to verify the numerical hydrodynamical model, that she is going to use for her PhD thesis. This work was not planned in our proposal. This will prolong collaboratio between IMR and Poland.