has state-of-the-art instrumentation and techniques available for the parameters listed, although 

 the aging Autoanalyzer may require replacement during the OMP study. 



The main limitations to achieving the goals outlined above stem from the need to field 

 up to four separate measurements systems on each OMP cruise. While the inorganic carbon, 

 nutrient and oxygen measurements are central to the achievement of OMP goals, it has not been 

 possible to measure all parameters at sea on any OMP cruise to date. We have been forced to 

 take the less- desirable approach of collecting samples for subsequent shore- based analyses, 

 which always entails a risk of degraded data quality or even data loss (e.g. ammonium 

 measurements on frozen samples are suspect; samples may get thawed or damaged in transit from 

 the ship). In addition, the flexibility to modify sampling schemes based on observed features is 

 lost. This has been necessary due to a lack of berths and/or laboratory space on the research 

 vessels; however, we are also effectively limited by the number of trained analysts we can pay 

 to go to sea and process data. 



STATUS OF RESEARCH 



By the end of June 1994, our team will have participated in four OMP cruises. Sampling 

 was as follows: 



OMP-93 (Gyre G-6-93) 'Biology' Spring cruise. CT, pC0 2 (discrete), oxygen, nutrients 

 (frozen samples). Three highly-detailed transects in Cape Hatteras vicinity were sampled. The 

 LDEO team assisted us with the C0 2 analyses, as well as operating their underway pC0 2 system. 



OMP-94 (Iselin 9402) 'Biology' Spring cruise. Nutrients (at sea), oxygen. A complete 

 duplicate set of nutrient samples was also frozen for subsequent shore-based analyses. Three 

 highly-detailed transects were sampled. Samples were also collected around the OMP moorings. 

 In addition, samples were collected from the northernmost transect (36.5 °N) for shore-based 

 measurements of CT and alkalinity. 



OMP-94 (Iselin 94xx) Alongshore 'chemistry' cruise. CT, total alkalinity, oxygen. ~8 

 moderate- to-high resolution transects were occupied along the shelf from Cape Cod to Cape 

 Hatteras. In addition, there was detailed sampling around the OMP mooring array. The BNL 

 team looked after the LDEO underway pC0 2 system. 



OMP-94 (Iselin 94xx) 'Biology' Summer cruise. Nutrients (at sea), oxygen. Three highly 

 detailed transects will be sampled. Samples will be collected around the OMP moorings. In 

 addition, samples will be collected from (at minimum) the northernmost transect (36.5 °N) for 

 shore-based measurements of CT and alkalinity. 



Keywords: inorganic carbon, oxygen, nutrients, pC0 2 



118 



