Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study

The Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) is a long-term oceanographic study by the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS). Based on regular (monthly or better) research cruises, it samples an area of the western Atlantic Ocean nominally at the coordinates 31°40′N64°10′W / 31.667°N 64.167°W / 31.667; -64.167 . The cruise programme routinely samples physical ^[1] properties such as ocean temperature and salinity, but focuses on variables of biological or biogeochemical ^[2] interest including: nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and silicic acid), dissolved inorganic carbon, oxygen, HPLC of pigments, primary production and sediment trap flux. The BATS cruises began in 1988 but are supplemented by biweekly Hydrostation "S" cruises to a neighbouring location ( 32°10′N64°30′W / 32.167°N 64.500°W / 32.167; -64.500 ) that began in 1954. ^[3] The data collected by these cruises are available online.

Rosette sampler aboard the R/V Atlantic Explorer

Scientific Findings

As of 2017, research conducted at BATS has generated over 600 peer-reviewed articles. Among the findings are measurements showing the gradual acidification of the surface ocean, where surface water pH, carbonate ion concentration, and the saturation state for calcium carbonate minerals, such as aragonite, have all decreased since 1998. Additionally, studies at BATS have shown changes in the Revelle factor, suggesting that the capacity of North Atlantic Ocean surface waters to absorb carbon dioxide has diminished, even as seawater pCO₂ has kept pace with increasing atmospheric pCO₂. ^[4]

History

In 1954, Dr. Henry M. Stommel of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution began conducting oceanographic research at Hydrostation 'S'. ^[5] Oceanographic data was collected on biweekly intervals and included temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen measurements. ^[6] Hydrostation 'S' is the longest-running oceanographic time-series study in the world and was originally referred to as "Panulirus hydrographic station" after the wooden research vessel R/V Panulirus that operated out of the Bermuda Biological Station (renamed the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences), and was later renamed Hydrostation "S" to follow the naming convention of weather ship sites. ^[7] In 1988, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) joined forces with the U.S. Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) program to commence the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) alongside Hydrostation 'S' observations. ^[8]

See also

• Hawaii Ocean Time-series (HOT)
• Weather ship

References

1. Phillips, H.E.; Joyce, T. M. (2007). "Bermuda's tale of two time series: Hydrostation S and BATS". Journal of Physical Oceanography. 37 (3): 554–571. Bibcode:2007JPO....37..554P. doi: 10.1175/JPO2997.1 . hdl: 1912/4140 .
2. Steinberg, D.K.; Carlson, C.A.; Bates, N.R.; Johnson, R.J.; Michaels, A.F.; Knap, A.H. (2001). "Overview of the US JGOFS Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS): a decade-scale look at ocean biology and biogeochemistry". Deep-Sea Research Part II. 48 (8–9): 1405–1447. Bibcode:2001DSRII..48.1405S. doi:10.1016/S0967-0645(00)00148-X.
3. Powell, Thomas M.; Steele, John H. (1995). Ecological Time Series . Springer. ISBN   978-0412052019.
4. "The Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) enters its twenty-fifth year of ocean observations in the North Atlantic that illustrate changes in ocean carbon" (PDF). Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry News. Spring–Summer 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-31. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
5. "Project: The Panulirus Hydrographic Stations (Hydrostation S)". Biological & Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office.
6. "Hydrostation 'S'". bios.asu.edu.
7. Joyce, Terrence. "The Bermuda Station S: A Long-Running Oceanographic Show". whoi.edu. Oceanus.
8. Joyce, Terrence. "The Bermuda Station S: A Long-Running Oceanographic Show". whoi.edu. Oceanus.

External links

• BATS homepage and dataserver