This proposal requests funds to augment our current NSF program to establish and maintain a deep-water hydrographic station near Oahu, Hawaii as part of the Global Ocean Flux Study (GOFS) program. Our scientific objectives are: (1) to observe and interpret the seasonal and interannual variability in the biology and chemistry of the mixed layer and the euphotic zone, (2) to observe and interpret the seasonal and interannual variability in the rates of particle flux and apparent rates of particle remineralization over the water column and (3) to understand the interrelationships between the processes mentioned in (1) and (2) above and the physical characteristics of the water column. Water column physical characteristics will be analyzed as part of the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) during joint GOFS-WOCE cruises. If successful, this augmentation request will support: (1) a full-time data specialist who will be responsible for record keeping, quality control and distribution of data to the scientific community, (2) a half-time marine technician for additional field support of HOT program activities and to interface with other NSF grantees working at Station ALOHA.
