Senior Oceanographer Craig Lee leads an international science team aboard the R/V Knorr for two 20+-day cruises in the Adriatic Sea. The Adriatic provides a unique laboratory in which oceanographers can study the ocean's response to atmospheric forcing at small (10 km) lateral scales and investigate the processes that communicate atmospheric forcing events (seasonal winds and freshwater flows) to the ocean interior. The winter to spring climate cycle over the northern Adriatic Sea produces three dramatically different wind, stratification, and outflow regimes: Bora—downwelling-favorable winds, weak ambient stratification Sirocco—upwelling-favorable winds, weak ambient stratification Strong Po River outflow, downwelling-favorable winds, stratified waters The measurements taken during the two cruises (January and May 2003) will provide the observations needed for a quantitative assessment of the dynamics governing response in each of these three regimes. Sampling will focus on quantifying the response of mesoscale fronts and filaments to strong atmospheric forcing at small (10 km) lateral scales generated by Bora wind outbreaks. A combination of real-time satellite remote sensing (AVHRR and SeaWiFS) and synoptic meteorological forecasts will allow the science team to tailor sampling strategies to specific features and atmospheric events, deploying observational resources in the right places and at the right times to capture response to short-lived forcing events. Shipboard ADCP, meteorological sensors, and especially the TriSoarus towed profiling vehicle will be used. Additionally, the team will employ a bio-optical profiling package (USC), a bottom-moored ADCP and the SWAMP microstructure profiler (Univ. of Miami), and a variety of surface drifters (OGS-Trieste). Scientists from IRPEM will analyze water samples for nutrient content and pigment concentrations. Cruise progress can be followed in the FIELD REPORTS. Details of the research objectives, observation strategies, equipment deployed, and planned analyses are available in the complete RESEARCH PROPOSAL. Craig Lee and APL-UW Senior Engineer Tim McGinnis recover TriSoarus aboard R/V Miller in Puget Sound TriSoarus is a towed, undulating vehicle for high-resolution, three-dimensional surveys of the upper ocean. TriSoarus began life as a Seasoar vehicle, but has been heavily modified to increase profiling range on unfaired cable. Large symmetric foil section wings and a gravity driven roll stabilizing aileron, both designed by CSIRO, significantly enhance range and stability compared to a stock Seasoar. The actuator and telemetry system have been upgraded by adapting Triaxus components. Thus, the two vehicles have identical subsea and topside electronics suites, down to the software control algorithm. Instrument payloads are similar. TriSoarus provides flexible support for a wide range of payloads, including physical, optical, biological and chemical sensors, and the system has been designed to ease the integration of new instruments. The basic sensor suite includes a Seabird CTD, chlorophyll fluorometer, transmissometer and dissolved oxygen sensor, with a fiber-optic tow cable providing high-bandwidth telemetry. At a typical tow speed of 8 knots, the vehicle profiles from the surface to 200 m, providing along-track resolutions of 2 km or better. Criag Lee's work in the Adriatic Sea is sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Naval Research. Potential survey locations and patterns. Surveys will be adjusted to accommodate specific features. The patterns depicted can be repeated within the specified time interval (3, 12 and 24 hours) at a tow speed of 8 knots. Potential sampling includes: (i) The Po River plume, (ii) Coastal filaments, (iii) Mid-basin fronts, and (iv) Regions of wintertime deep convection, watermass formation, and eddy generation. Science Party, Summer Cruise Dr. Craig Lee, Chief Scientist, Univ. of Washington Dr. Jason Gobat, Univ. of Washington Mr. Timothy McGinnis, Univ. of Washington Mr. Eric Boget, Univ. of Washington Ms. Marlene Jeffries, Univ. of Washington Dr. Burton Jones, USC Mr. Zhihong Zheng, USC Mr. Kyungho Kang, USC Ms. Quinn Roberts, USC Dr. Pierre-Marie Poulain, 1st Naz. Oceanografia e Geofisica      Sperimentale, Trieste, Italy Mr. Riccardo Barbanti, 1st Naz. Oceanografia e Geofisica      Sperimentale, Trieste, Italy Dr. Mirko Orlic, Univ. of Zagreb, Croatia Ms. Ivona Cetinic, Univ. of Zagreb, Croatia Ms. Zrinka Buric, Univ. of Zagreb, Croatia Dr. Zoran Pasaric, Univ. of Zagreb, Croatia Mr. Mirco Di Marco, Univ. of Ancona, Italy Ms. Silvia Boncori, Univ. of Ancona, Italy Dr. Federica Grilli, National Research Council IRPEM,      Ancona, Italy Dr. Alessandra Campanelli, National Research Council IRPEM,      Ancona, Italy Mr. Mag. Dietmar Thaler, Ministry of Defense/Austrian Airforce Science Party, Winter Cruise Dr. Craig Lee, Chief Scientist, Univ. of Washington Dr. Jason Gobat, Univ. of Washington Mr. Timothy McGinnis, Univ. of Washington Mr. Eric Boget, Univ. of Washington Ms. Marlene Jeffries, Univ. of Washington Dr. Burton Jones, USC Mr. Matthew Ragan, USC Mr. Zhihong Zheng, USC Dr. Hartmut Peters, RSMAS, Univ. of Miami Mr. Robert Jones, Univ. of Miami Dr. Clive Dorman, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD Dr. Don Johnson, Naval Research Laboratory Mr. Wesley Goode, Naval Research Laboratory Dr. Pierre-Marie Poulain, 1st Naz. Oceanografia e Geofisica      Sperimentale, Trieste, Italy Ms. Elena Mauri, 1st Naz. Oceanografia e Geofisica      Sperimentale, Trieste, Italy Ms. Laura Ursella, 1st Naz. Oceanografia e Geofisica      Sperimentale,Trieste, Italy Mr. Davide Deponte, 1st Naz. Oceanografia e Geofisica      Sperimentale, Trieste, Italy Mr. Giulio Notarstefano, 1st Naz. Oceanografia e Geofisica      Sperimentale, Trieste, Italy Dr. Mirko Orlic, Univ. of Zagreb, Croatia Dr. Damir Vilicic, Univ. of Zagreb, Croatia Ms. Ivona Cetinic, Univ. of Zagreb, Croatia Dr. Zoran Pasaric, Univ. of Zagreb, Croatia Mr. Mirco Di Marco, Univ. of Ancona, Italy Mr. Luca Bolognini, Univ. of Ancona, Italy Mr. David Bigazzi, Univ. of Ancona, Italy Dr. Paola Fornasiero, National Research Council IRPEM,      Ancona, Italy Dr. Federica Grilli, National Research Council IRPEM,      Ancona, Italy Dr. Alessandra Campanelli, National Research Council IRPEM,      Ancona, Italy Mr. Mag. Dietmar Thaler, Ministry of Defense/Austrian Airforce Mr. Robert Laird, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Ms. Amy Simoneau, Woods Hole Oceanograph Back to Top