This award supports collaboration in oceanography between Dr. Kozo Takahashi, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Dr. Yoshiaki Maita, Hokkaido University, Japan. These scientists, and colleagues working with them, are carrying out oceanographic and ecological studies in the central subarctic Pacific Ocean, including the Bering Sea. This region is one of high biological productivity, and the researchers are measuring seasonal fluxes there of biogenically produced particles that variously contain silica, calcium carbonate, and/or organic carbon compounds. The data will be used to assess surface biological productivity and water column ecosystems of the region. Cooperation with the Japanese scientists allows Dr. Takahashi and his colleagues to participate in Japanese cruises to this area for the purpose of deploying and recovering the sediment traps needed for data collection. Water samples and hydrographic data at the research sites are also taken. Physical classification and chemical analyses of the collected samples will be carried out. Historical data sets obtained from this region by Japanese scientists over the past several decades are also available to the U.S. researchers. Funds from this award will support the travel of U.S. scientists in this project to Japan in order to meet with their Japanese colleagues to discuss and exchange data, as well as plan future field work cooperation. A second meeting a year or so later, after additional field studies, will be held in the U.S. for this purpose.
