Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS): Rationale and strategy for sustained observations of the Southern Ocean

Rintoul, S.R.; Speer, K.; Sparrow, M.; Meredith, Michael ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7342-7756; Hofmann, E.; Fahrbach, E.; Summerhayes, C.; Worby, A.; England, M.; Bellerby, R.; Speich, S.; Costa, D.; Hall, J.; Hindell, M.; Hosie, G.; Stansfield, K.; Fukamachi, Y.; de Bruin, T.; Naveira Garabato, A.; Alverson, K.; Ryabinin, V.; Shin, H.C.; Gladyshev, S.. 2010 Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS): Rationale and strategy for sustained observations of the Southern Ocean. In: Hall, J.; Harrison, D.E.; Stammer, D., (eds.) OceanObs 09: Ocean information for society: Sustaining the benefits, realizing the potential. Vol. 2. Noordwijk, The Netherlands, European Space Agency, 851-863. (ESA Special Publication, WPP-306).

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Abstract/Summary

By connecting the ocean basins and the upper and lower limbs of the ocean overturning circulation, the Southern Ocean plays a critical role in the global ocean circulation, biogeochemical cycles and climate. Limited observations suggest the Southern Ocean is changing: the region is warming more rapidly than the global ocean average; salinity changes driven by changes in precipitation and ice melt have been observed in both the upper and abyssal ocean; the uptake of carbon by the Southern Ocean has slowed the rate of climate change but increased the acidity of the Southern Ocean; and there are indications of ecosystem changes. However, the short and incomplete nature of existing time series means that the causes and consequences of observed changes are difficult to assess. Sustained, multidisciplinary observations are required to detect, interpret and respond to change. The Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) will provide the long-term measurements required to improve understanding of climate change and variability, biogeochemical cycles and the coupling between climate and marine ecosystems.

Item Type:	Publication - Book Section
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Polar Oceans NOC Programmes
NORA Subject Terms:	Marine Sciences
Date made live:	16 Mar 2011 14:23 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/13758

Item Type:

Publication - Book Section

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Polar Oceans
NOC Programmes

NORA Subject Terms:

Marine Sciences

Date made live:

16 Mar 2011 14:23 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/13758