The SCAR Biogeochemical Exchange processes at Sea Ice Interfaces (BEPSII) Action Group held a 3-day workshop in April 2017, joined by the new Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) Working Group (#152) on Measuring Essential Climate Variables in Sea Ice (ECV-Ice). Twenty-seven scientists gathered in La Jolla, California to discuss the results of the past year’s activities, plan upcoming activities, and to present scientific talks and posters.
Scientific Highlights included the gathering of large-scale databases of sea ice biogeochemical parameters; the presentation of new optical sensors for sea ice; the mapping of chlorophyll on a sea ice floe using an ROV, as well as memorable discussions on whether nitrate in sea ice are intra-cellular or concealed in biofilms. Some of BEPSII’s major upcoming activities planned for the coming 3 years include: method intercalibration experiments, advising the upcoming Arctic field campaign MOSAiC, and sea ice model intercomparisons.
Scientists from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States were represented at the meeting and it was supported by SCAR, CliC, IASC and SOLAS.
Local organizers were: Lynn McNutt, Jeff Bowman, Nadja Steiner, Lisa Miller.
For more information on BEPSII, see the BEPSII special feature in Elementa Journal.
BEPSII contacts: Nadja Steiner and Jacqueline Stefels