The North Atlantic Aerosol and Marine Ecosystem Study (NAAMES): Science Motive and Mission Overview

Abstract

The North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystems Study (NAAMES) is an interdisciplinary investigation to improve understanding of Earth's ocean ecosystem-aerosol-cloud system. Specific overarching science objectives for NAAMES are to (1) characterize plankton ecosystem properties during primary phases of the annual cycle and their dependence on environmental forcings, (2) determine how these phases interact to recreate each year the conditions for an annual plankton bloom, and (3) resolve how remote marine aerosols and boundary layer clouds are influenced by plankton ecosystems. Four NAAMES field campaigns were conducted in the western subarctic Atlantic between November 2015 and April 2018, with each campaign targeting specific Behrenfeld et al. NAAMES Overview seasonal events in the annual plankton cycle. A broad diversity of measurements were collected during each campaign, including ship, aircraft, autonomous float and drifter, and satellite observations. Here, we present an overview of NAAMES science motives, experimental design, and measurements. We then briefly describe conditions and accomplishments during each of the four field campaigns and provide information on how to access NAAMES data. The intent of this manuscript is to familiarize the broad scientific community with NAAMES and to provide a common reference overview of the project for upcoming publications.

Phytoplankton Growth and Productivity in the Western North Atlantic: Observations of Regional Variability From the NAAMES Field Campaigns

“…Ship-based measurements were made onboard the R/V Atlantis during the field program (2015-2018) of the North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystems Study (NAAMES) (Behrenfeld et al, 2019). An overarching objective of NAAMES was to characterize plankton ecosystem dynamics over the course of an annual cycle and determine the environmental conditions required to produce the annual subarctic phytoplankton bloom.…”

“…This report utilizes optical data collected during a multi-year study in the western North Atlantic that targeted key phases of the annual bloom cycle (Behrenfeld et al, 2019). These data provide an opportunity to quantify NPP across a large dynamic range of standing stocks and growth conditions, with specific interest in characterizing underlying changes in phytoplankton biomass and physiology.…”

Seasonal Variations in Western North Atlantic Remote Marine Aerosol Properties

“…Surface ocean and atmospheric conditions encountered during WACS-2 and the four NAAMES cruises are briefly described here in order of season/bloom phase (November (NAAMES-1), March (NAAMES-4), May/June (WACS-2 and NAAMES-2), September (NAAMES-3)). More detail about conditions and surface ocean measurements can be found in the NAAMES overview paper (Behrenfeld et al, 2019). Seasonal averages of wind speed, rain rate, radon, CN, and CCN (0.1% S) concentrations, aerosol light absorption coefficient, atmospheric DMS, and surface seawater chlorophyll for the time periods included in this analysis and indicated in Figure 2 are given in Table 1. In the discussion below, a CN 5 /CN 13 ratio larger than 1 is attributed to downward mixing of particles from the free troposphere into the MBL.…”

Storm-Induced Predator-Prey Decoupling Promotes Springtime Accumulation of North Atlantic Phytoplankton

“…A unique opportunity to make such measurements presented itself during the second field campaign of the North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystems Study (NAAMES), when rapid shoaling of the mixed layer following a storm-mediated disturbance prompted prolonged occupation of a sampling station (Behrenfeld et al, 2019), during which we concurrently quantified rates of phytoplankton growth and losses due to grazing and viral lysis under quasi in situ and light manipulated incubation conditions.…”