Sept 9 2014 dye release with Dr. Harper Simmons


ARCTREX Index


Arctic Tracer Release Experiment (ARCTREX): Applications for Mapping Spilled Oil in Arctic Waters

ARCTREX Program Objectives

Proposal Abstract

We propose to perform targeted dye release experiments at both the surface and bottom of the Northeast Chukchi Sea to examine applications for mapping spilled oil in Arctic waters. These experiments are designed to test available observational technology, their capability to map a dye plume in time and space, simulating an oil spill, and provide real time data to response agencies, including data for ingestion into numerical oil spill trajectory models. We will utilize existing infrastructure as part of our ongoing ocean observing efforts in the Chukchi Sea, including real-time two-dimensional surface current fields from extended-range high frequency radar, and rely on existing observing assets such as AUV gliders and Acrobat towed vehicle. Using this technology paired with detailed microstructure measurements of ocean turbulence, satellite-tracked surface drifters and dedicated dye measurements using large dynamic-range fluorometers we will attempt to map a dye plume and its evolution in time and space over a 3-7 day period over two field seasons (2014 and 2015) and multiple dye injections. Part of our proposed activities includes evaluating the effectiveness of the suite of instruments to track the released dye under diverse environmental conditions. We will coordinate our field effort with NOAA's Environmental Response Management Application ERMA (Arctic ERMA) and BSEE, and work towards real time data ingestion into their response system.

Map of the Chukchi Sea ARCTREX strudy area Map showing HFR coverage area of the northeast Chukchi Sea overlaid on bathymetric contours (m). Barrow, Wainwright, Point Lay, Icy Cape (IC), and Point Franklin (PF) are identified, as are industry study areas Klondike (K), Burger (B), and StatOil (S). Blue markers show the sub-surface mooring array operated from 2009-2012. Starting in 2012, we operate extended-range HFRs that cover Burger. Our dye release study will be within the SE corner of Burger (marked B).

Objectives

Primary Instrumentation

Associated Links

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