Scientific Committee On Oceanic Research Research Articles

JGOFS moves to the Pacific

A process study in the equatorial Pacific Ocean for 1991‐1992 has been recommended as the next major field program of the U.S. Joint Global Ocean Flux Study. The study will be preceded by a planning workshop in spring 1990.The equatorial study was selected at the September meeting of the U.S. JGOFS Committee at the University of Hawaii. The committee reviewed progress made since the issuance of the U.S. Pacific Planning report (U.S. JGOFS Planning Report No. 9) and the recommendations from the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) JGOFS Pacific Planning meeting, which was at the university two days earlier.

SCOR activities

In August 1982 the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) constituted a working group (WG‐71) on “Particulate Biogeochemical Processes.” This working grouphad the following terms of reference: To delineate the principal particulate transport processes which control trace element and nutrient element distribution in the open ocean. To clarify the definition of terms and processes used to describe particulate material in the ocean and to suggest the most appropriate methodology for the study of the material defined above. To ascertain the possibility of determining particulate fluxes of elements and organic matter to different depths in the sea. To prepare a state‐of‐the‐art report on the particulate processes.

An intercomparison exercise for oceanic carbon dioxide measurements

The Joint Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR)/United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO/International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)/International Association for Physical Sciences of the Ocean (IAPSO) Panel on Oceanographic Tables and Standards (JPOTS) recently established a Sub‐Panel on Standards for Carbon Dioxide Measurements. The terms of reference for this subpanel are coordination and assessment of work done toward preparing carbon dioxide standards for oceanographic measurements, and development of recommendations for the production and use of such standards. Members are A. G. Dickson (Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif.), chairman; F. Culkin (Institute of Oceanographic Sciences, Wormley, U.K.), A. Poisson (Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris), C. S. Wong (Institute of Ocean Sciences, Sidney, Canada), and F. J. Millero (University of Miami, Miami, Fla.).

North Atlantic Circulation

The intensity of the North Atlantic winddriven and thermohaline circulation and the close proximity of many oceanographic installations make the North Atlantic a particularly favored region of the world ocean from the standpoint of research in ocean circulation. Recent increases in available data and advances in numerical modeling techniques served as the impetus to convene a joint workshop of modelers and observers working on the North Atlantic with the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) Working Group (WG) 68 (“North Atlantic Circulation”). Goals of the workshop were to provide an update on data sets and models and to discuss the poleward heat flux problem and possible monitoring strategies. The joint Workshop/SCOR WG‐68 meeting was convened by F. Schott (chairman of the working group; Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, Fla.), K. Bryan (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/ Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (NOAA/GFDL)), and R. Molinari (NOAA/Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (NOAA/AOML)).

SCOR directory of scientists/engineers

The Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) Working Group 56, Equatorial Upwelling Processes, is assembling a directory of scientists and engineers interested in the physical and biological processes of upwelling occurring within the upper ocean in the region between 15°N and 15°S. If your interests are primarily related to biological aspects of equatorial upwelling, please send your name, affiliation, and address to Richard T. Barber, Chairman, SCOR WG 56 Biological Panel, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516.

Geodynamics Project: Initial developments in the U.S. Program

The remarkable developments in geophysics and geology in the 1960's—the revolution in earth sciences—were the springboard of U.S. planning for the Geodynamics Project. The U.S. Geodynamics Committee was organized in the National Academy of Sciences under the Geophysics Research Board in collaboration with the U.S. National Committee for IUGG (International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics), IUGS (International Union of Geological Sciences), and SCOR (Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research). After 3 years of extensive consultation the U.S. Geodynamics Committee issued a report in 1973, U.S. Program for the Geodynamics Project: Scope and Objectives. In 1974 the Federal Council for Science and Technology established a committee on the International Geodynamics Project to coordinate activities of the federal agencies in the Geodynamics Project.

Oceanographic assembly

‘The Ocean World,’ a joint oceanographic assembly, will be held in Tokyo, Japan, September 14–25, 1970. The Assembly will be sponsored by and will incorporate meetings of the International Association of Physical Sciences of the Ocean (IAPSO), the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), the International Association of Biological Oceanography (IABO), and the Commission on Marine Geology (CMG/IUGS). Certain Symposia will be organized in cooperation with the International Association for Geochemistry (IAGC), and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).The scientific sessions, collectively entitled ‘The Ocean World,’ will consist of interdisciplinary symposia, specialized symposia, and sessions of miscellaneous contributions.

Activities in oceanic research

The Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), a committee of the International Council of Scientific Unions, is charged with furthering international scientific activity in all branches of oceanic research. At present there are 37 members, 27 nominated by national academies or equivalent bodies and 10 nominated by unions within ICSU. Probably the best known of SCOR3s accomplishments since its founding in 1957 are the organization of the International Indian Ocean Expendition and the convening of the first International Oceanographic Congress. During recent years, SCOR has worked closely with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the Unesco program in oceanography through its advisory responsibilities to both bodies.

International Indian Ocean Expedition. Collected reprints IV. Published upon the recommendation of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). Paris: Unesco 1967. 867 pp

International Indian Ocean Expedition. Collected reprints IV. Published upon the recommendation of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). Paris: Unesco 1967. 867 pp