9417480 Li This is a three year cooperative research project proposed by Drs. Yuan -Hui Li and Christopher Measures, University of Hawaii, and Professors T. M. Hsiung and Su-Cheng Pai, Taiwan National University. This proposal requests funds to carry out oceanographic research to understand the seasonal distribution patterns of the trace metals in the East China Sea and Kuroshio-Current System. This study is a part of the international Joint Global Ocean Flux (JGOF) Experiments. The goal of this study is to improve the understanding of the sources, sinks, and transport processes of the trace elements in this region as well as their contribution to the Western Pacific. The investigators are highly regarded for their analytical abilities for oceanographic analysis and their contribution to ocean research. The proposed collaboration is mutually beneficial. The U.S. principal investigators will benefit from the access and the ship and data support from the Taiwan oceanographic surveys in a unique part of the Pacific Ocean where little or no trace element data are available, while Taiwan scientists will gain data on trace metal distribution with which they can greatly improve the understanding of the dynamics of regional seas. This is an excellent project, which addresses an important problem in chemical oceanography. This project is jointly supported by the NSF and the Taiwan National Science Council (NSC), which provides major support for ship and laboratory operations in Taiwan. The modest support from the NSF in this case is extensively leveraged by the NSC.
