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Project details

Title: Integrated Marine Observing System: monitoring of East Australian Current property transports at 27 degrees South (multi-year)
Id: 2463
Investigator(s): Bernadette Sloyan
CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere - Hobart [details]

Chris Chapman
CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere - Hobart [details]

Description: The East Australian Current (EAC) is a complex and highly energetic western boundary system of the South Pacific Ocean off eastern Australia. It closes the South Pacific subtropical gyre, transporting heat, salt and other nutrients southward and onto the continental shelf. Off Brisbane (27o S) the EAC, is north of the high eddy variability region, approaches its maximum strength and is relatively uniform and coherent. The mooring array is located near the existing long-term XBT transect and satellite altimetry ground tracks. The aim of this observing system is to capture the mean and time-varying flow of the EAC. This EAC mooring array is a component of IMOS. These observations will provide an intensive reference set of measurements of the EAC over a sustained period for improved understanding of the relationship of EAC with the basin-scale South Pacific gyre, its impact of the coastal marine ecosystem, and validation and interpretation of the current system in numerous climate and ocean models.
Years: 2018
Remarks: ANDRES 20200110: THIS PROJECT IS NOW CONSOLIDATING PREVIOUS PROJECTS 2395 and 2453

Publications

Conference Proceedings

Dataset

Journal Article

Report

Scientific Highlight

Voyage Summary

Metadata.

Use [details] link to view survey details (map, reports, metadata etc) including links to download data.

List of surveys that this project was on. Click on column header to sort.

Use [details] link to view survey details (map, reports, metadata etc) including links to download data.

Survey InvestigatorDescription
IN2022_V06

[details]		 Chris Chapman This voyage will recover an array of six full-depth current meter and property (temperature, salinity and pressure) moorings from the continental slope to the abyssal waters off Brisbane (27oS). The observing system is designed to capture the mean and time-varying flow of the EAC. We will undertake biological and oceanographic sampling, using CTDs, Triaxus tows, SADCP, to characterise the shelf waters off the Stradbroke NRS, and to sample dynamic, ephemeral frontal eddies flowing down from Fraser Island and shelf – boundary exchanges. These observations will enable us to discover the spatial and temporal variability of shelf water and plankton around the Stradbroke Island National Reference Station (NRS) mooring (Canyon monitoring). The data from the EAC mooring array and other oceanographic sampling are essential for understanding, at the regional to global scale, the role of boundary current in the climate system, and, at the local scale, simulating cross-shelf flows, upwelling, and frontal eddy formation. These local-scale processes have a fundamental impact on nutrient and phytoplankton concentrations and therefore far-reaching effects on annual fisheries productivity and coastal shark interactions along the eastern seaboard. We will undertake CTD/02 and nutrient samples, numerous Triaxus and ship ADCP sections across the EAC mooring line and across the shelf-EAC. These surveys will includeTriaxus/SADCP lines in the area between 28oS and 26oS. These operations will occur in between the mooring operations and at the completion of the mooring operations. We will deploy 2 Standard Argo floats during the voyage. Should time allow, we will conduct hydrographic survey of a “superproductive” Richmond submarine canyon between the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. We will undertake a long sub-bottom profiler section in this region in order to identify future coring sites for paleoclimate studies. We will use the 36-bottle rosette with the lowered ADCPs (150 kHz and 300 kHz) attached. We will collect salinity and oxygen samples for calibration of the CTD salinity and oxygen sensors, as well as for calibration and quality control of recovered mooring instruments. We will also collect nutrient (silicate, phosphate and nitrate) and carbon samples. Although we use the 36 bottle rosette, only 18 niskin bottles will be required. Removing one in two bottles will enable us to fix brackets for the post-recovery “dips’ of recovered instruments (as in previous mooring voyage IN2021_V03).
IN2021_V03

[details]		 Dr Sloyan

This voyage will recover and re-deploy an array of six full-depth current meter and property (temperature, salinity and pressure) moorings from the continental slope to the abyssal waters off Brisbane (27oS). The observing system is designed to capture the mean and time-varying flow of the EAC. In order to resolve interannual and decadal signals we aim to maintain multi-year deployments of the array.

The data from the EAC mooring array and other oceanographic sampling are essential for understanding, at the regional to global scale, the role of boundary current in the climate system, and, at the local scale, simulating cross-shelf flows, upwelling, and frontal eddy formation. These local-scale processes have a fundamental impact on nutrient and phytoplankton concentrations and therefore far-reaching effects on annual fisheries productivity and coastal shark interactions along the eastern seaboard.

We will undertake CTD casts, sampling salinity and 02, and numerous Triaxus and ship ADCP sections across the EAC mooring line and at several locations during the transit from Hobart to the mooring sites. Additionally, we aim to complete two oceanographic surveys: one in the Fraser Island area between 28oS and 26oS; and the other on and over the continental shelf in the vicinity of the North Stradbroke Island National Reference Station. These surveys will include bongo net tows and Triaxus/SADCP sections and will occur in between the mooring operations and at the completion of the mooring operations, as well as opportunistic sampling of jellyfish and salps over the side of the vessel when it is stationary using the extendable “pool scoop”. We aim to sample small scale, ephemeral frontal eddies flowing down from Fraser Island and shelf – continental slope boundary exchanges.  These observations will enable us to characterise the spatial and temporal variability of shelf water and plankton around the Stradbroke Island National Reference Station (NRS) mooring, and their connection to the offshore regions. We will also deploy numerous eXpendable Bathymetric Thermographs (XBTs) during the transit from Hobart north.

We will also aim to perform Triaxus and bongo net tows during the northward transit at various locations, with top priority given to a location off the coast of Newcastle NSW (near 32.5oS) to supplement the IMOS mooring and HF radar installation at that location. We will also deploy a number of floats (core Argo and BCG-Argo) during the voyage.

We will collect salinity and oxygen samples for calibration of the CTD salinity and oxygen sensors. Limited dissolved inorganic carbon samples may be collected if we deploy BGC Argo floats).

The following specific objectives will be completed:

  1. Moorings recovery and deployment at appropriate locations;
  2. Full depth CTD/rosette stations at each mooring recovery location with only salt and O2 water samples;
  3. Pre-deployment CTD casts for calibration of Seabird 37 and 39 mooring instruments to a depth of 2000 m;
  4. Triaxus and Ship ADCP sections at various locations during the transit from Hobart to the mooring locations, across the mooring line, at the shelf-slope and Fraser Island survey regions;
  5. Bongo net tows along the EAC mooring line, and as part of the shelf-slope and Fraser Island survey areas to study the significance of re-circulation features;
  6. Bongo nets, CTD and bio-acoustic samplings at various locations during the transit from Hobart to the mooring sites; and surrounding the Stradbroke NRS site including opportunistic sampling of frontal eddies; and
  7. Deploy Surface Velocity Program drifters, XBTs and Argo (core and BGC) floats during the voyage, with supporting CTDs in the case of BGC Argo floats.
IN2019_V05

[details]		 B. Sloyan (CSIRO O&A, Hobart) The East Australian Current (EAC) is the complex and highly energetic western boundary current of the South Pacific Ocean. The EAC is the dominant mechanism for the redistribution of heat and freshwater between the ocean and atmosphere in the Australian region; it is a vital component of the eastern Australian coastal ecosystem. The monitoring of the EAC is central to our understanding of how climate variability is communicated through the global ocean. This ocean current time-series will provide significant insights into the interactions between the EAC, the Pacific basin and the local shelf ocean circulation.
IN2018_V03

[details]		 Bernadette Sloyan Integrated Marine Observing System: monitoring of East Australian Current property transports at 27 degrees South (Chief Scientist: Dr Bernadette Sloyan, CSIRO) The East Australian Current (EAC) is the complex and highly energetic western boundary current of the South Pacific Ocean. The EAC is the dominant mechanism for the redistribution of heat and freshwater between the ocean and atmosphere in the Australian region; it is a vital component of the eastern Australian coastal ecosystem. The monitoring of the EAC is central to our understanding of how climate variability is communicated through the global ocean. This ocean current time-series will provide significant insights into the interactions between the EAC, the Pacific basin and the local shelf ocean circulation.
IN2016_V06

[details]		 Bernadette Sloyan, Remo Cossu, Eric Woehler and Nicholas Carlile RV Investigator research voyage in2016_v06, titled "Sustained monitoring of the EAC: mass, heat and freshwater transports." This voyage will recover and re-deploy an array of six full-depth current meter and property (temperature, salinity and pressure) moorings from the continental slope to the abyssal waters off Brisbane (27o S). The observing system is designed to capture the mean and time-varying flow of the EAC. In order to resolve interannual and decadal signals we aim to maintain a multi-year deployment of the array. The following specific objectives will be performed: 1. Recover and deploy moorings at appropriate locations. 2. Complete CTD/rosette stations at each mooring location, with LADCP. 3. Complete a number of Ship ADCP sections along the mooring line. Supplementary projects: 1) Turbulence scales and horizontal variability in the surface layer of the Ocean. Objectives: To gain more insight into turbulence scales in the upper ocean (0 - 200 m depth) across the continental shelf using a TuboMAP turbulence probe and to measure horizontal variability of CTD data in the upper ocean using a Seabird 19+ CTD unit. The TurboMAP can record data with vertical profiling (upcast and downcast). Based on a temperature gradient and mean falling speed of the probe the levels of turbulence dissipation and mixing properties can be derived. The CTD (Seabird 19+) unit will collect data at a fixed depth (ca. 20 m) while the ship is drifting at a speed of 0.5 - 1 m/s. 2) Spatial and temporal variability in the distribution and abundance of seabirds. Objectives: The project seeks to quantify the distribution and abundance of seabirds at sea using standardised seabird survey protocols. One or two dedicated observers will collect real-time data on seabirds observed within 300m transect during daylight hours while the vessel is underway. Incidental observations will be collected while the vessel is stationary (eg CTD stations) or while the vessel is deploying moorings. The data collected will be compatible with previous seabird at sea surveys conducted around Australia and farther south, allowing for analyses and assessments to be extended by the current surveys. The distribution of seabirds at sea is strongly linked with oceanographic features such as convergences that concentrate prey at densities that allow for efficient foraging by seabirds. Our surveys on the voyage will link with oceanographic investigations to identify the types and strengths of oceanographic features at which we observe different species of seabirds that utilise different methods of feeding (surface seizing, diving etc). No dedicated ship time is required for the seabird surveys. Surveys are conducted by observers while the vessel is underway during daylight hours.
IN2015_V02

[details]		 B. Sloyan (CSIRO O&A) Investigator Voyage IN2015_V02 Title: Sustained monitoring of the East Australian Current: Mass, heat and freshwater transports. Scientific objectives The East Australian Current (EAC) is a complex and highly energetic western boundary system in the south-western Pacific off eastern Australia. It provides both the western boundary of the South Pacific gyre and the linking element between the Pacific and Indian Ocean gyres. This voyage will deploy an array of full-depth current meter and property (CTD) moorings from the continental slope to the abyssal waters off Brisbane (27o S). At this location the EAC, north of the high eddy variability, the EAC approaches its maximum strength and its flow is relatively uniform and coherent. The aim of this observing system is to capture the mean and time-varying flow of the EAC. This is a component of IMOS, and will provide an intensive reference set of measurements of the EAC flow over sustained period for monitoring EAC transport, improved understanding of relationship of EAC and the South Pacific gyre and impact of the coastal marine ecosystem, and validation and interpretation of the current system in numerous climate and ocean models. The mooring array is located on the existing long-term XBT transects, satellite altimetry and glider tracks. The EAC deep mooring array will be complemented by a Queensland- IMOS operated inshore mooring array on the continental shelf region. Voyage objectives This voyage will redeploy an array of six full-depth current meter and property (temperature, salinity and pressure) moorings from the continental slope to the abyssal waters off Brisbane (26o S). The observing system is designed to capture the mean and time-varying flow of the EAC. In order to resolve interannual and decadal signals we aim to maintain a multi-year deployment of the array. The main aim of the voyage will be to deploy an array of (6) full-depth current meter/CTD moorings extending from the continental slope to the abyssal waters off Brisbane. The following specific objectives will be performed: List of tasks 1. Carry out swath mapping from the abyssal plain to the base of the continental slope 2. Deploy each of the moorings at appropriate locations, including position triangulation of each mooring 3. Complete CTD/rosette stations at each mooring, with LADCP 4. Complete a number of Ship ADCP sections along the mooring line 5. Complete deep CTD and RBR sensor testing at a number of CTD stations 6. Complete XBT and CTD side-by-side comparisons at CTD stations
SS2013_V05

[details]		 K. Ridgway (CMAR), B.Sloyan (CMAR) MNF Southern Surveyor research voyage SS2013_v05. Sustained Monitoring of the East Australian Current: Mass, Heat and Freshwater Transports Scientific Objectives: The East Australian Current (EAC) is a complex and highly energetic western boundary system in the south-western Pacific off eastern Australia. It provides both the western boundary of the South Pacific gyre and the linking element between the Pacific and Indian Ocean gyres. This voyage will retrieve an array of full-depth current meter and property (CTD) moorings from the continental slope to the abyssal waters off Brisbane (26oS). At this location the EAC, north of the high eddy variability, the approaching its maximum strength and its flow is relatively uniform and coherent. The aim of this observing system is to capture the mean and time-varying flow of the EAC. This a component of IMOS, and will provide an intensive reference set of measurements of the EAC flow over sustained period for monitoring EAC transport, improved understanding of relationship of EAC and the South Pacific gyre and impact of the coastal marine ecosystem, and validation and interpretation of the current system in numerous climate and ocean models. The mooring array is located on the existing long-term XBT transects, satellite altimetry and glider tracks. The EAC deep mooring array has been complemented by a Queensland- IMOS operated inshore mooring array on the continental shelf region.
SS2012_V01

[details]		 K. Ridgway (CMAR), B. Sloyan (CMAR) Southern Surveyor Voyage ss2012-V01. Sustained Monitoring of the East Australian Current:Mass, Heat and Freshwater Transports. Scientific Objectives The East Australian Current (EAC) is a complex and highly energetic western boundary system in the south-western Pacific off eastern Australia. It provides both the western boundary of the South Pacific gyre and the linking element between the Pacific and Indian Ocean gyres. This voyage will deploy an array of full-depth current meter and property (CTD) moorings from the continental slope to the abyssal waters off Brisbane (26oS). At this location the EAC, north of the high eddy variability, the approaching its maximum strength and its flow is relatively uniform and coherent. The aim of this observing system is to capture the mean and time-varying flow of the EAC. This a component of IMOS, and will provide an intensive reference set of measurements of the EAC flow over sustained period for monitoring EAC transport, improved understanding of relationship of EAC and the South Pacific gyre and impact of the coastal marine ecosystem, and validation and interpretation of the current system in numerous climate and ocean models. The mooring array is located on the existing long-term XBT transects, satellite altimetry and glider tracks. The EAC deep mooring array will be complemented by a Queensland- IMOS operated inshore mooring array on the continental shelf region.(Extract from the voyage plan, please see plan for full details.)
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