Western Arctic Shelf-Basin Interactions (SBI)

The SBI project focuses on shelf, shelf break and upper slope water-mass and ecosystem modifications, material fluxes and biogeochemical cycles. The geographical focus is on the Chukchi and Beaufort seas and adjacent upper slopes and the ultimate generalization of these results into Pan-Arctic and global models. An accumulated body of research indicates that climate change will significantly impact the physical and biological linkages between the Arctic shelves and adjacent ocean basins. SBI will therefore focus on the outer shelf, shelf break and upper slope, where it is believed that key processes control water mass exchange and biogeochemical cycles, and where the greatest responses to climate change are expected. The SBI project is progressing in three phases over a 10-year period. Phase I (1998-2001) is in progress and involves analyses and syntheses of historical data, opportunistic field investigations, and limited regional surveys. This Solicitation calls for proposals for work under SBI Phase II. This phase will constitute the core field program, which is to take place in the Bering Strait region and over the outer shelf, shelf break and upper slope of the Chukchi and Beaufort seas.