POLARSTERN ANT-XXVIII/5

The R/V Polarstern Atlantic transect (Punta Arenas - Bremerhaven) is scheduled from April 10th to May 16nd, 2012. During the cruise, led by Karl Bumke from the Helmholtz Centre of Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR), 13 scientific groups will perform comprehensive meteorological, oceanographic, chemical, and biological observations. So the cruise will be utilized for continuous investigations of atmospheric and marine properties as well as for energy and material fluxes between ocean and atmosphere. Together with measurements of atmospheric aerosol, its optical properties, and an analysis of isotope anomalies of e.g. ozone and nitrate it allows an investigation of atmospheric transports and processes. The gained data are also important to validate atmospheric and oceanographic circulation models.
A number of CTD-stations (Conductivity/salinity, Temperature, Depth) will be carried out to measure oceanic temperature and salinity profiles and to collect water samples from different depths. The latter will be analysed with respect to a number of parameters like dissolved organic matter, transition metals, or dissolved organic carbon to improve for example our knowledge about the role of bacteria of the Roseobacter clade for the oceanic global cycle of matters. Underwater light measurements will help to interpret the data. The CTD-stations in the VEMA-Channel east of South-America are part of a long-term study of the global oceanic circulation system.
Beside these measurements continuous observations will be carried out to improve our knowledge about the population densities of sea birds and whales in the Atlantic area. Further sea trials and tests will be performed of improved systems for underwater navigation and bathymetry to investigate the ocean floors.