Earth Sciences: Oceanography: Projects: Page 10

studies the role of physical processes controlling water-property distributions, suspended sediments controlling the availability of light, nutrients and phytoplankton growth. The project comprises development of a 3-D nearshore model, measurements in contrasted ROFIs and comparisons between them.

PROVESS is a joint European MAST III funded interdisciplinary study of vertical fluxes of properties through the water column and the surface and bottom boundaries based on the integrated application of new measuring techniques, new advances in turbulence theory and new models.

A £20 million, six-year (2001-2007) programme of the Natural Environment Research Council. The programme aims to improve our ability to quantify the probability and magnitude of future rapid change in climate, with a main (but not exclusive) focus on the role of the Atlantic Ocean's Thermohaline Circulation.

Aims to study severe storms, surges and waves in the present climate and in a scenario with increased CO2-concentration. More specifically the project is a joint atmospheric/oceanographic numerical modelling effort aiming at constructing and analysing storm, wave and surge climatologies for the North Atlantic/European region in a climate forced by increasing amounts of greenhouse gases and to compare with present day conditions.

A project aimed at developing a robust, operational and cost-efficient remote sensing system for mapping submerged vegetation as a means of assessing the environmental quality of coastal waters.

The overall aim of this EC MAST III funded project is to better understand the (paleo) functioning of the eastern Mediterranean and to determine its role in the global environment by studying characteristic biogeochemical processes.

Activities focus on promoting international cooperation in planning and conducting oceanographic research, and solving methodological and conceptual problems that hinder research. Scientists from thirty-six SCOR member nations participate in SCOR working groups and steering committees.

Provides quantitative data on global ocean bio-optical properties to the Earth science community. Subtle changes in ocean color signify various types and quantities of marine phytoplankton (microscopic marine plants), the knowledge of which has both scientific and practical applications.

UK project for volunteer sports divers who have an interest in what they're seeing under water, want to learn more and want to help protect the marine environment. The main aim is to map out the various types of sea bed found in the near-shore zone, up to about 5 miles off the coast or 30m depth around the whole of the British Isles.

STABLE is a large instrument to measure sea bed currents. Rapidly changing 3-D turbulent currents are measured by three pairs of electromagnetic current meters, while slower, tidal currents are measured by four, red Savonius rotors and a current-direction vane. Water depth and wave-induced pressure changes are measured by two pressure transducers, while suspended sediment concentration profiles are measured by three acoustic backscatter sensors. Housekeeping functions are measured by a compass, pitch and roll sensors and two temperature sensors.