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Nighttime Operations Illustrated in Stunning Photograph

Onboard the research vessel Sikuliaq, Uwe Send's team collaborated with one of the moorings of the California Current Ecosystem Moorings project off the shores of Southern California earlier this month, as per a photograph taken by Uwe Send himself.

Shot of the Week: Covert Night-time Activities
Shot of the Week: Covert Night-time Activities

Nighttime Operations Illustrated in Stunning Photograph

In the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California, a significant research project is underway. Known as the California Current Ecosystem Moorings project, this endeavour focuses on understanding ocean circulation, ocean acidification, fisheries, and the interactions between the physical environment and the ecosystem.

At the heart of this project is the research vessel, Sikuliaq. Owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Sikuliaq is part of the U.S. academic research fleet. This vessel has been instrumental in carrying out the project's objectives.

The project has been ongoing since 2008, with physical oceanographers Uwe Send and Mark Ohman at Scripps Oceanography initiating it. The team led by Dr. Send continues to make groundbreaking discoveries, contributing significantly to our understanding of the California Current System.

The project involves a network of moorings that make measurements from the atmosphere down to near the seafloor at a depth of 4,000 meters (2.5 miles). These moorings play a crucial role in gathering data, with most of it transmitted in real-time.

Recently, the project underwent routine annual maintenance, as evidenced by a photograph showing two buoys that have been recovered and two that are yet to be deployed. The photo was taken by physical oceanographer Uwe Send, who continues to lead the team in their research efforts.

Additional funding for the project comes from various sources, including the NOAA SWFSC, NOAA PMEL, NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, NOAA OOMD (Ocean Obs and Monitoring Div), and the National Science Foundation through the CCE-LTER program. This support is essential in ensuring the project's continued success.

As the project moves forward, it continues to provide valuable insights into the complexities of the ocean and its ecosystem, contributing to a better understanding of our planet and its future.

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