CONTACT: Jay Tebeau FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(202)482-6090 2/9/95
Frank Lepore
(305)666-0413
On February 13, 1995, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will begin a cruise around the world to gather critical data on the ocean's role in global climate change, atmospheric chemistry, and the El Nino phenomenon.
"NOAA is proud to be part of the U.S. contribution to these international research activities that will lead to a sounder scientific base for understanding our global environment," said NOAA Administrator Dr. D. James Baker.
Along with other scientists from the U.S. and overseas, NOAA researchers will obtain data to study the effect of the Indian Ocean's circulation on the world's climate; where carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels is transported; and whether the Indian Ocean is a source or a sink for this gas.
On Monday, February 13, 1995, climate experts will set sail from Miami for one year aboard the NOAA Ship MALCOLM BALDRIGE and make 14 port calls in San Juan, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and eight foreign countries.
On the trip's first leg from Miami to San Juan, the crew will be taking water samples and current measurements to examine the dynamics of the North Atlantic Ocean circulation.
Enroute to Durban, South Africa from Puerto Rico, scientists will measure radiatively important trace species, sampling the air for compounds including nitrogen, carbon dioxide, ammonia and aerosols. They will also sample the North Atlantic northeasterly and South Atlantic southeasterly trade winds along with polar westerlies to gain a broad view of the photochemical environment. The data obtained will provide a better understanding of atmospheric components, and determine how the atmosphere's elements change over time.
On the same leg, the crew will take water samples and examine current flow to study the interrelationships among ocean currents, the atmosphere, and world climate as part of the international World Ocean Circulation Experiment.
Using satellite data as an aid, scientists will collect and study plankton and fish along the Somalia and Oman coasts to understand the effects on abundance, distribution, and diversity of animals produced by strong coastal and open ocean upwelling generated by southwest monsoons.
From Diego Garcia to Fremantle, Australia and Colombo, Sri Lanka, scientists will conduct ocean and atmosphere carbon exchange studies to examine the amount of carbon dioxide in the ocean and the atmosphere to determine the rates at which the water is absorbing or emitting carbon dioxide.
From Sri Lanka, the ship will travel to the Solomon Islands, to obtain buoys and deploy them in the equatorial Pacific Ocean as part of a network of 60 moorings that measure surface winds and temperatures, subsurface thermal structure and currents. Information obtained from the moorings will be used to understand and predict the changes in the tropical Pacific Ocean known as El Nino.
The 278-foot NOAA Ship MALCOLM BALDRIGE conducts worldwide oceanographic research and normally operates in the Atlantic Ocean and its adjoining seas. Commanding Officer of the MALCOLM BALDRIGE is Capt. Craig Nelson.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: Media can tour the MALCOLM BALDRIGE and conduct interviews on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
NOAA S.E. Marine Support Facility Dodge Island 1600 Port Blvd. Miami, Florida 33132 Contact: Ensign Mark Wetzler, 305-536-4276, 4401, 4402 or 4403
The ship will depart on Monday, Feb. 13th between 9 and 10 a.m.
INDIAN OCEAN CRUISE -- NOAA SHIP MALCOLM BALDRIGE
Depart Miami, Monday, 2/13/95 and Arrive at San Juan, Puerto Rico on Sunday, 2/19/95
Depart San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sun., 2/19/95 and Arrive Durban, South Africa, Tuesday, 3/14/95
Depart Durban, South Africa, 3/20/95 and Arrive Colombo, Sri Lanka, 4/21/95
Depart Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, 4/27/95 and Arrive Muscat, Oman, Wednesday, 5/24/95
Depart Muscat, Oman, Wednesday, 5/31/95 and Arrive Victoria, Seychelles, Thursday, 6/29/95
Depart Victoria, Seychelles, 7/12/95, Wednesday, and Arrive at Muscat, Oman, Wednesday, 7/26/95
Depart Muscat, Oman, Monday, 7/31/95 and Arrive at Diego, Garcia, on Sunday, 8/27/95
Depart Diego Garcia, Wednesday, 8/30/95 and Arrive Fremantle, Australia, Friday, 9/8/95
Depart Fremantle, Australia, Monday, 9/18/95 and Arrive at Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, 10/20/95
Depart Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, 10/20/95 and Arrive at Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, 10/25/95
Depart Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, 10/25/95 and Arrive at Port Darwin, Australia, Friday, 11/03/95
Depart Port Darwin, Australia on Monday, 11/6/95 and Arrive at Honiara, Solomon Islands on Sunday, 11/12/95
Depart Honiara, Solomon Islands, on Thursday, 11/16/95 and Arrive at Pago Pago, W. Samoa, Tuesday, 12/5/95
Depart Pago, Pago, W. Samoa, Monday, 12/11/95 and Arrive at Rodman, Panama on Friday, 1/12/96
Depart Rodman, Panama, Sunday, 1/14/96 and Arrive at Miami, Fla., Thursday, 1/18/96