Ocean Research Expedition 2022
CruiseRO Water & Power Sponsors The Ocean Research Project 2022 Expedition
The R/V Marie Tharp, a 22m overall Bruce Roberts steel schooner, sets sail this month to study glacial melting and its effects on the marine ecosystem by mapping the Uncharted Coastlines of southwest Greenland equipped with a custom CruiseRO Water Maker.
There will be a base crew of 6 and 5 rotating ocean science experts during the voyage.
GOAL – 3 KEY SCIENCE OBJECTIVES:
Acquire the ocean properties and map the seabed to identify where ocean currents of Atlantic origin amplify glacial melt rate across southwest Greenland.
Acquire the ship underway observations required to evaluate how well satellites can interpret water quality changes accurately where glaciers retreat onto land.
Collect ocean and seabed samples to investigate the Arctic’s capacity to transport and store carbon in the seabed and if that function weakens in fjords where glaciers retreat upward onto the land.
PHASE 1 TRANSIT NORTH:
Annapolis, Maryland – St. John’s, Canada – Paamiut, Greenland: Annapolis, Maryland – St. John’s, Canada – Paamiut, Greenland: In-transit optical ocean observing operations with up to 4 young emerging oceanographers and intermittent sample collection to assess water quality along the eastern seaboard and Gulf Stream. This is the 1st cohort of the TO-GRO (Transit Optics- Graduate Research Opportunities) Program.
PHASE 2 GREENLAND GO-MARIE SURVEY ACTIVITIES:
Southwest, Greenland: The GO-MARIE Campaign Year 1 begins. (Glacier-Ocean Mapping and Research Interdisciplinary Effort) with two objectives:
PHASE 3 TRANSIT SOUTH:
Paamiut, Greenland – United States: Paamiut, Greenland – United States: The return southbound passage for the homeport of Annapolis, MD. Stops will be made in Canada or New England for any resupply needs or for refuge from hurricane events. Sponsorships towards the 2nd TO-GRO cohort will offset student travel costs and our operational program.
