Long-term oceanic observatories (moorings) in the Beaufort Sea during the Canadian Arctic Shelf Exchange Study, 2002-2004

To monitor changes in physical, biological and geochemical properties of the Canadian Arctic waters, ocean observatories (moorings) were deployed in the Beaufort Sea as part of the Canadian Arctic Shelf Exchange Study (CASES), and continued after 2004 as part of the ArcticNet program. These moorings are the oceanic equivalent of atmospheric meteorological stations. The data are used to describe the seasonal and annual variations in the Arctic environment and its local ecosystems. This, in turn, enables us to understand how, and how quickly, global warming is affecting the Arctic.