An array of current meters has been operated in the Fugløya-Bear Island (FB) section since spring 1997. These measurements have proven very useful in quantifying the Atlanic Water fluxes of heat, salt and mass. The array have been modified and refined based on the developing learning process with respect to the current structure and variability. The array is one of the key sections under DAMOCLES but has no funding after 2006. We therefore propose to continue this array of 7 moorings in the FB section. The instruments will be provided by the IMR, but we seek funding to cover the running cost operating this array in 2007-8.

The FB section has been operated by IMR on a regular basis since 1965 several times a year. This provides valuable information on the water masses that enters the Barents Sea and on their long-term variability. The current field is to a large degree barotropic, it is therefore necessary to conduct direct current measurements in order to obtain reliable flux estimates. The combination of hydrographic sections with the direct current measurements (figure below) is very useful to reduce the error of the flux estimates.

We propose to continue this mooring array under iAOOS during 2007-2008. The main output of this will be time series of variations in the fluxes through the section. These series will be necessary for the proposed task in 3.1, 3.3 and 3.4. The observational array will enter the system of existing and proposed iAOOS mooring arrays.