FONDAP-HUMBOLDT Programme

FONDAP-HUMBOLDT Program - Circulation and Physical-Biological Interactions in the Humboldt Current System and their Impact upon Regional Biogeochemical Cycling 1997-2000 The FONDAP-Humboldt program has had a major input into developing oceanographic research in the East Boundary Humboldt Current, in both inshore and offshore waters. From 18-38 degrees south , moored oceanographic buoys allow continuous collection of time series data.

This information will be used to give insights into local variability forced by remote large-scale events, originated at the equator, such as El Nino and La Nina events and the influence of coastal trapped waves. Two large-scale cruises were performed in the rich fishery system off Concepcion (38 degrees S) and another was carried out off northern Chile (20 degrees S): MircI October 1998 off Central-south Chile MircII July 1999 off Central-south Chile MinOx March 2000 off northern Chile MircI and MircII dealt with upwelling filaments off Concepcion (36 degrees S) and included complete physical-chemistry measurements of the water column, primary production, respiration, zooplankton and fish larvae sampling.