F. Oceanographic Technology Programs 

 Long-range Planning 



I. The Core Program 



The field of ocean science research is undergoing rapid evolution and advances in all of its 

 component disciplines. In the past decade or so, our understanding of the seafloor and ocean 

 basin geology has been transformed by discovery of and advances in tectonic theory. The 

 discovery of unique vent communities at great depths has altered views and insights about 

 deep-sea biology and has revolutionized studies concerning aspects of cell physiology and other 

 biological phenomena. Our understanding of macro- and mesoscale ocean circulation processes 

 has advanced to such a level that global perspectives can finally be developed, and our 

 understanding of oceanic chemical fluxes and reaction mechanisms Is providing new tracers for 

 biological and biochemical processes. 



Advanced technology plays an important role in contributing to the productivity and maturation 

 of the ocean sciences. Introduction of critical new technologies to the field is a common theme in 

 the study of global change and is central to the Global Ocean and Lithosphere initiatives. The core 

 research programs and their enhancements need continued and expanded progress in 

 instrumentation, facilities, data management, and new observing systems. The ocean sciences 

 are at a point where new technologies must provide critically needed tools and techniques for the 

 ocean science research programs to develop comprehensive understanding of global change. 



The multidisciplinary core program in oceanographic technology provides technical services, 

 instrumentation, and facilities support to the ocean sciences. It is organized around two 

 elements - oceanographic instrumentation and shipboard technical support. 



A. Oceanographic Instrumentation Program 



This core program provides support to institutions for the acquisition of shared-use scientific 

 instrumentation to be placed in an equipment pool available to all users of the facility, be it a 

 research vessel or shore based laboratory. Overall research support capability of the 

 institution and its ability to make effective use of the requested instrumentation for conduct 

 ing a number of NSF-sponsored research projects are main criteria for program support. 



Instrumentation acquired under this program may vary greatly; new capabilities for meeting 

 research requirements have recently included acoustic doppler current profilers, seismic 

 reflection systems, image analysis systems, and advanced shipboard computers. 



B. Shipboard Technician Support 



This core program provides technical assistance to users of the academic research vessel fleet. 

 It includes at-sea maintenance and repair of shared-use scientific equipment, liaison between 

 scientific staff and ship's crew, and shore-based maintenance, calibration, and scheduling of 

 equipment. Because there is increasing collaborative and cooperative use of research vessels, an 

 important role for the program is to provide guidance and assistance to visiting investigators 

 from outside the ship-operating institution. 



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