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Enlarge Image ITP underwater profiling unit being attached to the wire rope tether. (Chris Linder, WHOI)
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Enlarge Image An Ice-Based Observatory (IBO) consisting of an ITP and Ice Mass Balance Buoy (IMB). (Chris Linder, WHOI)
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| Related Multimedia |
How the ITP Works
Movie showing the operation of an ITP system in the field and a vision for an array of ITPs sampling the ice-covered Arctic Ocean.
Animation by Tim Silva, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution |
» View Video (Quicktime)
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Ice-Tethered Profiler schematic
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Recent
studies indicate that the Arctic may be both a sensitive indicator and
an active agent of climate variability and change. While progress has
been made in understanding the Arctic's coupled atmosphere-ice-ocean
system, documentation of its evolution has been hindered by a sparse
data archive. This observational gap represents a critical shortcoming
of the ‘global’ ocean observing system. Addressing this gap, a new
instrument, the ‘Ice-Tethered Profiler’ (ITP) was conceived to
repeatedly sample the properties of the ice-covered Arctic Ocean at
high vertical resolution over time periods of up to three years.
Analogous to the international Argo float program
that is employing autonomous profiling floats to return real-time
seawater property data from the temperate oceans, we are working
together with fellow North American, European and Asian investigators
to maintain a loose array of ITPs and other similar instruments
throughout the ice-covered Arctic. We hope that the analysis of
data from these instruments will lead to better understanding of the
Arctic Ocean's response and role in global climate change.
The
ITP system consists of a small surface capsule that sits atop an ice
flow and supports a plastic-jacketed wire rope tether that extends
through the ice and down into the ocean, ending with a weight (intended
to keep the wire vertical). A cylindrical underwater instrument (in
shape and size much like an Argo float) mounts on this tether and
cycles vertically along it, carrying oceanographic sensors through the
water column. Water property data are telemetered from the ITP to
shore in near-real time.
This web site provides information
about the ITP technology, gives the status of systems presently
deployed, hosts an accessible archive of data collected by ITPs and
showcases scientific findings based on ITP data.
Last updated: May 7, 2008 |
