WP1: Advection of energy with Atlantic water to the Arctic Ocean

Objectives. To study nutrients, biomass and the carbonate characteristics of watermasses flowing into the AO with the WSC. WSC volume fluxes and current measurements will provide basis for fluxes of nutrients, bioenergy and carbon system parameters. Data obtained in WP1 will be used for constraining and evaluating 3D model simulations (WP4).

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WP2: Carbon pools: composition, production, export and burial

Objectives. To describe the plankton community at the process stations in relation to ice conditions, light and water column stability, to quantify primary and secondary production and measure vertical export of biogenic carbon from the UML to depth.

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WP3: Regulating factors for carbon cycling, retention and air-sea exchange of CO₂

Objective. To investigate physical, chemical and biological processes explaining the stocks and rates described at the process stations by WP2 and to investigate the effect of PP, community respiration and carbon export on the carbonate system.

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WP4: Large scale patterns: past and future productivity

Objectives. To statistically relate estimates on past productivity and historical zooplankton data to environmental forcing in order to understand variability and sensitivity of the physical and biological system in the area west and north of Svalbard. WP4 will further use input from WP1-3 together with historic data for skill assessment and development of SINMOD. WP4 provides improved knowledge based future predictions for the area based on statistical analysis together with model predictions for given IPCC scenarios.

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WP5: Integration and assessment of future Arctic ecosystem services

Objectives. Compile results from WP’s 1 through 4 and develop a unified view on the ecosystem and biogeochemical cycling and the physical-biological coupling of the northern Svalbard shelf, and formulate scenarios on how Arctic system (ecosystems and ecosystem services) change with climate change. Services that are expected to be affected includes the carbon cycle, the provisioning services of fisheries, regulating services such as carbon absorption and sequestration, heat absorption, acidification, and biogeochemical cycling. We will identify critical thresholds and anticipate when and where these may take place. The overall ecosystem function of the shelf and adjacent Arctic Ocean basin will be analysed and integrated. 

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WP 6: Dissemination and communication of results