Salinity Processes in the Upper Ocean Regional Study (SPURS)

A new project titled "Salinity Processes in the Upper Ocean Regional Study (SPURS)" has begun in the North Atlantic Ocean in order to understand the increase in salinity in the world's oceans.

The study will be completed over a three week period and will travel around the North Atlantic Ocean. The study will take place aboard the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's (WHOI) ship, 'Knorr'. The researchers "hope [that] research like this will offer insight on the dynamics behind the dramatic changes in the ocean's salt content."

There has been a significant increase in salinity in the world's oceans over the past 50 years. Computer programs run in order to predict weather and climate changes have not accurately predicted the severe increase in salinity that has occurred these past 50 years. Scientist's believe global warming has resulted in "an increase in evaporation". This increase in evaporation results in the salt (and other substances of the oceans) being left behind, which increases the salinity of the remaining water. Not only is evaporation a possible cause for the salinity changes but, "such factors as winds can also contribute".

Data will be collected using the WHOI's advanced technology, including "a variety of drifting, remotely operated and moored sensors."Data from satellites will also be collected in order to compare temperature and salinity.



"The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's research vessel Knorr docked before its scheduled departure on Sept. 6 to study salinity in the mid-Atlantic ocean."

Original Article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/10/ocean-salinity-nasa_n_1871011.html?utm_hp_ref=green

AGOR 27: The Future of Research Ships

On Aug. 17, 2012, construction on the AGOR 27 and AGOR 28, two new high-tech oceanography ships, began in Dakota Creek, Washington. Woods Hole Oceanography Institute and the U.S. Office of Naval Research will be operating these ships in order to gain a better knowledge of the vast ocean that still has yet to be fully explored. The ships are expected to be finished in late-2014. 


WHOI is a leading institute in oceanography studies, and currently operates numerous oceanography-research vessels, as well as submersible vehicles.

The first ship, AGOR 27, "will represent the latest technology and will serve a pressing need for a general-purpose ship based on the East coast of the United States." The design will allow for the ship to "sail at a sustained speed of 12 knots with 20 berths allotted for crew members and 24 for scientists." One reason why oceanography is the future of the humanity is the simple fact that up to 40% of the world’s population lives within 100 kilometers of the coast. A better knowledge of the oceans will also provide more information and data that could help in future military-related missions. Newer, more technologically advanced ships are better because they replace "the currently aging ships with vessels of global endurance, current technological capability, and optimized number of science berths."


Picture representation of the AGOR 27

Original Article:
http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/construction-begins-on-newest-ocean-research-ship