Multipurpose Acoustic Networks in the Integrated Arctic Ocean Observing System.

Multipurpose Acoustic Networks in the Integrated Arctic Ocean Observing System.

Presenter: Hanne Sagen, Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center.

Multipurpose acoustic networks have been demonstrated in several projects in the Philippine Sea, Fram Strait and in the Beaufort Sea. Multipurpose acoustic networks can be used for underwater geo-positioning, passive acoustics and acoustic thermometry. By implementing moored acoustic networks in ice covered regions of the Arctic it will for example open up for extending the ARGO program into the Arctic. Initiatives for deploying acoustic systems in the Baffin Bay and north of Svalbard have been taken. These initiatives are timely in the context of the new cluster of Arctic projects funded by EU’s research program HORIZON 2020 (INTAROS, APPLICATE and BLUE-ACTION) and programs funded by Office of Naval Research (e.g. CANAPE, SODA).
INTAROS (2016-2021) is led by NERSC, and involve institutions in Europe, North America and Asia. INTAROS will develop an integrated Arctic Observation System by extending, improving and unifying existing systems in the different regions of the Arctic. INTAROS will have a strong multidisciplinary focus, but with a particular focus on improving the in situ ocean observing systems, which is the largest gap in the overall Arctic observing system. The presentation at Ocean Outlook 2017 will focus on how acoustic networks can contribute to a sustainable Arctic Observing System.