FRAM Data Integration
A treasure of data for everyone
FRAM technology provides large amounts of data. These data are an important basis for scientific studies, are supporting computer simulations of the Arctic ecosystem and improve validations of remote sensing products. FRAM data will be made available via the AWI data portal, which is currently being build up.
From Space to Earth
Cutting edge analytical bio-optical retrieval techniques are being used to extract unique global long-term information on Arctic phytoplankton from satellite data. To ensure high quality output products, a ground-truthing infrastructure is being developed: high-resolution spectral optical data acquisition on autonomous platforms provides information on phytoplankton composition and particle size distribution. On board of POLARSTERN, state of the art underway-measuring systems have been installed, their reliability is frequently cross-checked with traditional chemically analysed water samples. In a next step, data verification and validation routines are being built up. Data assimilation into coupled ecosystem- ocean-ice models will enable the identification of phytoplankton variability and trends of surface-ocean processes and their bio-physical coupling.
Modelling
To predict upcoming changes in global ocean circulation, ocean productivity, and the consequences for the global climate system, it is crucial to improve our understanding of the interaction of physical and biogeochemical processes within the Arctic Ocean, as well as how these are linked to the Atlantic Ocean. AWI scientists are developing the world’s first multi- resolution Ocean General Circulation Biogeochemical Model (FESOM) This new generation modelling system will be capable of realistically simulating important coupled sea ice-ocean processes that determine the Arctic- Atlantic interplay in the Fram Strait region using dynamic mesh-sizes of 5 km or smaller. Coupling FESOM with a biogeochemical model, the Regulated Ecosystem Model 2 (REcoM2), allows to develop a hitherto missing tool, which more accurately assess the changes in the light regime and nutrient supply processes, such as vertical mixing and eddy transport in Fram Strait.
