Journal

I want to share some really cool science with you today, yet...

First, a Couple Photos from Today

Sarah Johnson driving snow machine in Utqiaġvik Alaska near NARL
Sarah Johnson driving snow machine (for the first time) for the sake of science in Utqiaġvik Alaska near NARL. Photo by Ignatius Rigor

Ignatius Rigor explaining the salt content of sea ice near in Utqiaġvik Alaska near NARL
Ignatius Rigor explaining the salt content of sea ice near in Utqiaġvik Alaska near NARL.

The UIC Bear Guards
Meeting a few of the UIC Bear Guards Martin, Wilber, and Jerry, for snow machine training inside before heading out.

Global Observations Utilize Data Waves Instead of Data Sheets

Environmental sensors are all around us both at home and in our communities. Perhaps you read the weather forecast today for your neighborhood. That forecast was possible due to a NOAA weather station that continually collects measurements of the current conditions of that place. These include air temperature, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, among other parameters. In our homes our thermostats are regulating the temperature of our living rooms. Perhaps you have other smart-sensors in your homes as well.

The buoys the International Arctic BuoyA float moored in water or ice to mark a location, warn of danger, or indicate a navigational channel. Programme deploys out on the sea ice and directly in the Arctic Ocean contain electronic environmental sensors and technology to send data via radio waves to Iridium communication satellites that then return the signal to Earth to a master computer. The master computer for the IABP is in Seattle, Washington at the University of Washington Polar Science Center.

Iridium NEXT Satellite
Iridium NEXT Satellite from https://spaceflight101.com/spacecraft/iridium-next/

There's many (at least 9) different types of satellites for different purposes. The IABP relies on three primary types of satellites to make real-time observations in the Arctic Ocean: communication satellites for collecting real time data, remote sensing satellites for observing current conditions of the sea ice when planning buoy deployments, and GPSA Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system used to track the location or position of objects on the Earth’s surface. navigation when traveling on sea ice via snow machine and flying aircraft above the Ocean. The Iridium satellite technology is the most reliable communication satellites to utilize in polar regions to communicate both science data as well as personal communications via tools such as Garmin InReach personal locator beacons. They are orbiting at approximately 780km above the earth's surface.

Today we are looking closely at the most recent satellite data from NASA WorldView to find the largest chunks of of sea ice to deploy buoys on in the coming days. Be sure to open the link to explore the same maps we are exploring.

Exploring satellite data at NARL
Teammates exploring the sea ice with satellite data and snow machine routes together today using ArcGIS.

Global Observation Systems

Global observing system of the water cycle
Global observing system of the water cycle from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336210780_Satellite_Remote_Sensing_of_Precipitation_and_the_Terrestrial_Water_Cycle_in_a_Changing_Climate

Arctic buoys collecting real-time weather conditions are only one of so many instruments used every day to create weather models that help scientists create forecasts. There are buoys in all the Earth's oceans collecting real-time data. The World Meteorological Organization and other agencies and organizations work together to share the data with weather and climate scientists, the fishing industry, ship and boat captains, and other industries.

Global Observation Systems In Your Life

Consider what types of global observation systems may be important to you and your community. In my home watershed, in the Southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado, both river and snow conditions are critical to our daily lives. Both the U.S. Geological Survey and Colorado Department of Water resources maintain a network of stream gauges that communicate real-time flow levels. This information combined with SNOTEL snow water equivalent (SWE) data is helpful for all whose livelihoods rely on water. Here is an interactive map to engage with water data in the USA

Explore these questions for your region of the world and share your answers in the comments below:

  • What types of natural phenomena are monitored in your region? Think about geologic, hydrologic, and other Earth Systems.

  • What types of technology are used to measure these phenomena every day? Share any websites, images, or screen shots to show the technology.

  • Are satellites used to transmit the real-time data? If so, what type of satellite? Share any images or websites.

Engage with IABP AK Spring 22 Deployment Expedition

Details
Author
Sarah Johnson
Date
Location
Navy Arctic Research Laboratory (NARL)
Expedition
International Arctic Buoy Program
Weather Summary
Very cold, clear skies, sunny
Temperature
-7 Farhenheit
Wind Speed
SW 22 mph, gusting to 20 mph
Wind Chill
approx -35 F

View Comments

Comments

Tue, 03/29/2022 - 17:12

Hillary Hamann

I'd love to hear more about how salty sea ice remains after freezing and expelling at least some of the salt water. Have you tasted it? Too salty to drink? Also, does this enhancement of the ocean salinity beneath the ice result in any sort of "overturning" or deeper mixing due to density difference?

Thanks Science Sarah!

Wed, 03/30/2022 - 12:10

B Wilkening

What is the optimum sea ice you are looking for when you deploy your buoys? Is there any multi-year ice around or is it all first year ice? Is it as simple as deploying it on ice that is accessible to you via snow machines?

Wed, 03/30/2022 - 20:42

Sarah Johnson

Betsy - there is no multi-year sea ice accessible by snow machine... only first year ice is close to shore. In a few days we will be flying a helicopter out further north from here and will be deploying a cluster of buoys on multi-year sea ice. Stay tuned! Thanks for following along! :-)

Thu, 03/31/2022 - 08:32

Matt Lilley

I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to work on a project to write about sea ice in the area that the WWF has designated the "Last Ice Area" (because the summer sea ice is expected to persist there longer than in other areas). This area includes the Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area. I'm just curious if any of your research has or will take you to this area (off the northern coast of Ellesmere Island)?

Thu, 03/31/2022 - 21:32

Sarah Johnson

Hello Matt - thank you for your note. The International Arctic Buoy Programme buoys get caught in the ocean currents and drift eastward and tend to cluster in the 'Last Ice Area' (see map https://iabp.apl.uw.edu/IABP_Maps.html). Sounds like you're involved with a neat program as well. Feel free to reach out to sarah@polartrec.com if there are any opportunities for collaboration or creativity.

Fri, 04/01/2022 - 09:12

Matt Lilley

That would be great! I will keep that in mind, and look forward to learning more about this research on Tuesday's zoom.