FRONTALIS 2
| Type | Oceanographic cruise |
|---|---|
| Set | This cruise is part of the set FRONTALIS |
| Ship | Alis |
| Ship owner | IRD |
| Dates | 31/03/2004 - 30/04/2004 |
| Chief scientist(s) | GANACHAUD Alexandre |
IRD CENTRE DE NOUMEA 101 promenade Roger Laroque BP A5 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX (+687) 26 10 00 |
|
| DOI | 10.17600/4100040 |
| Objective | The main objective of the FRONTALIS cruises was to study the frontal zone through detailed observations, to understand the mechanisms behind its formation in physical (CTD, S-ADCP, L_ADCP, TSG, and drifting buoy measurements) and biogeochemical (NO2, NO3, PO3, pCO2, plankton and Chla measurements) terms, and those which maintain it, as well as its role in ocean-atmosphere exchanges. The secondary objective of the FRONTALIS surveys was to study the long-term variability of hydrological parameters along the 165 deg E transect. This section was regularly sampled (about fifty times) between 1984 and 2002, at depths ranging from 0 to 1,000 m, and for some cruises, deeper than 2,000 m. It is one of the longest series of surveys made along the same track in the open sea. The two aims of this FRONTALIS cruise, ie, studying the zonal front and study of long-term oceanic variability are part of the PNEDC 2002-2004 project called "Pacific ENSO: mechanisms, long term variability and predictability". The FRONTALIS-3 survey and the PNEDC project are within the framework of the international CLIVAR/GOALS (CLImate VARiability and predictability / Global Ocean Atmosphere Land System) program which is itself under the aegis of the World Climate Research Program. This survey also continued the French contribution to the international TAO/TRITON array, through work done on moorings at 2 deg S. Comments on the cruise's progression: - Departure delayed until 2 April, due to replacement of power inverter and crew on strike. Ten stations were cancelled due to bad weather between 8 deg S and 19 deg S. |
