Biogeochemical responses to climate and ocean variability
Project Manager/Lead Scientist: Francisco Chavez

MBARI will continue to invest in its local Monterey mooring time series and in participation in the Equatorial Pacific moorings maintained by the Pacific Marine Environmental Lab (PMEL). Data from these systems are suggesting a recent regime shift caused by a phase change in the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. In 2003, MBARI will start conducting its first time series measurements between fixed moorings using the Dorado AUV. Shipboard measurements will continue in tandem for the year until it is verified that the AUV has successfully replaced the ship surveys. The AUV surveys will also give MBARI valuable experience with the reliability and operations costs of using AUVs for routine surveys.