WHOI logo Oceanic Flux Program (OFP)
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A time series deep sediment trap mooring
in the NW Atlantic

Since 1978, the Oceanic Flux Program (OFP) time-series sediment traps have continuously measured particle fluxes in the deep Sargasso Sea. The OFP program is by far the longest time-series of its kind, and has produced a unique record of temporal variability in the "biological pump". Results provided the first direct evidence for the existence of seasonality in the deep ocean, and evidence that fluxes of both biogenic and abiogenic materials to the deep ocean were directly linked to seasonal patterns in upper ocean productivity. The time-series particle flux record has documented significant interannual and longer timescale variability in material fluxes to the deep ocean, and in the composition of the sinking material. The record is now becoming long enough to identify and study longer-term periodicities and quasi- decadal trends in material fluxes to the deep ocean, and their coherence with North Atlantic climate variations. The Oceanic Flux Program provides new insights into interannual variability and decadal scale changes in ocean functioning. This information is of paramount importance for predicting future, possibly anthropogenically induced, climatic changes.

Location map

Location of OFP mooring site and other time-series studies in Bermuda vicinity
(Color-shaded relief image courtesy of US National Geophysical Data Center)

The OFP sediment trap time-series mooring is located in the western Sargasso Sea at 31 50'N, 64 10'W, approximately 75 km southeast of Bermuda. The traps have continually sampled deep ocean fluxes with a resolution of either two months (1978-1989) or two weeks (1989 to present). There is a 21+ year flux record at 3200 m (>85% temporal coverage), a 13+ year record at 1500 m, and a 10+ year record at 500 m.

mooring photo

Recovery of OFP mooring on the Bermuda Biological Station's ship Weatherbird II

The synergy among numerous research projects in the area continues to provide unique opportunities for identifying the interrelationships among upper ocean physics, chemistry and biology and deep sedimentation patterns. Current research intensives in the area include HydroStation S (32° 10'N, 64° 30'W), the Atmosphere/Ocean Chemistry Experiment (AEROCE), the US JGOFS Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) (nominal deployment site 31° 40'N, 64° 10'W) and the Bermuda Testbed Mooring (BTM) Program (31° 45'N, 64° 10'W).

The OFP program has, since its inception, provided major resources to a large number of researchers- in the form of sample material, data, ancillary shiptime, and use of the mooring platform- to make possible a diverse range of detailed and collaborative investigations which have greatly contributed to the scientific results of this time-series. Collaboration with OFP, especially in areas complementary to OFP objectives, is encouraged to maximize the oceanographic information gleaned from this unique record.

Dr. Maureen H. Conte, an organic
geochemist in the Marine Chemistry and 
Geochemistry Department, took over the 
Oceanic Flux Program's leadership from Dr. 
Werner Deuser (now scientist emeritus) in 
1996. If you would like more information 
about the program, or possible 
collaborations with OFP, please contact 
Dr. Conte (mconte@whoi.edu).
Click on OFP results to see an updated bibliography of publications resulting from the Oceanic Flux Program.

For OFP database, click here:
To obtain the username and password for the OFP database, contact Dr. Maureen Conte
Phone: (508) 289-2931.

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