Acoustic networks in high Arctic Ocean observing systems

Sustained in situ ice-ocean observations are sorely lacking in the Arctic, limiting research on climate, weather, ice-ocean processes, and geophysical hazards. A sustained network of advanced multipurpose underwater moorings and drifting buoys in the Nansen and Amundsen Basins that included acoustic and other instrumentation would make a substantial contribution to a high Arctic Ocean observing system. Such a network would provide point measurements of ocean parameters, large-scale temperature measurements using acoustic thermometry, acoustic geo-positioning of underwater floats and gliders, and passive acoustic measurements for detection of marine mammals, geohazards, and human generated noise. Optimal design of such a network of fixed moorings and drifting platforms requires accurate knowledge of the ice-ocean environment to determine the acoustic properties. Such a sustained network would build on the successful basin-wide coordinated arctic acoustic thermometry experiment (CAATEX). In this presentation, the focus will be on the oceanographic and acoustic characteristics of the Nansen and Amundsen Basins using observations made during CAATEX. The ability of several climate models and reanalysis products to describe the oceanographic characteristics as well as their usefulness in predicting low-frequency acoustic propagation will be evaluated.