Maritimes Region Atlantic Zone Off-Shelf Monitoring Program (AZOMP) Rosette Vertical Profiles

AZOMP sampling is conducted according to standard Go-Ship protocols (go-ship.org/HydroMan.html) and includes: 1- the collection of CTD and Lowered-ADCP profiles and water samples for the determination of physical (e.g., T, S, currents), chemical (e.g., nutrients, Carbonate system, transient gases for water mass determination and/or ventilation and carbon sequestration studies), and biological (e.g., chl a, Primary production and optical properties) variables; 2- Stratified multi net tows for zooplankton; and 3- vertical ring net tows for plankton.

In addition XBTs and Argo floats are commonly deployed and vessel-mounted ADCP is used to water masses structures at a smaller scale. The data collected are synthesized into annual reports on the physical, chemical and biological changes in Atlantic Canadian waters and the Labrador Sea. One primary focus is on changes in the intensity of winter overturning of surface and intermediate-depth waters resulting in deep water mass formation and is part of the thermohaline circulation that affects the global climate.

Convection also transfers atmospheric gases from the surface to intermediate depths, reducing the rate of increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere but increasing the acidity of the ocean.