The International North Water Polynya Study (NOW): A progress report (scientific note)

• Main Authors: L. Fortier, M. Fortier, M. Fukuchi, D. Barber, Y. Gratton, L. Legendre, T. Odate, B. Hargrave
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: GIROQ, Departement de biologie, Universite Laval/GIROQ, Departement de biologie, Universite Laval/National Institute of Polar research/CEOS, Department of Geography, University of Manitoba/INRS-Eau, 2800 rue Einstein/GIROQ, Departement de biologie, Universite Laval/National Institute of Polar research/Department of Fisheries & Oceans, Bedford Institute of Oceanography 2001
• Subjects: Memoirs of National Institute of Polar Research; Polar Research
• Online Access: https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_uri&item_id=2389; http://id.nii.ac.jp/1291/00002389/; https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=2389&item_no=1&attribute_id=18&file_no=1

After three highly successful, multidisciplinary expeditions totaling 180 days at sea, what have we learned about the functioning, ecological importance, and future of the North Water ecosystem? The scientific program of NOW comprises 13 projects tightly integrated around a central hypothesis that links spatial and temporal gradients in biological productivity and carbon export to the hydrographic/meteorological forcing of the North Water. Preliminary interpretations from observations and modeling efforts are summarized concerning (among several other topics), the relative importance of sensible and latent heat processes in maintaining the polynya; the duration, intensity and nature of biological production in the North Water; and the export of carbon to the pelagic food web and at depth.