Monitoring and modelling
MC3 provides operational data for model
validation and scientific assessment.
For example, for over 30 years MC3 scientists have
monitored changes in the Arctic Ocean and Nordic seas. Our unique
time-series is now providing a dataset long enough to detect
trends in deep ocean flows,
including a long-term freshening of the water. This may have
fundamental implications for ocean currents and prevailing
weather patterns worldwide.
Monitoring temperature
MC3 operates a network of coastal temperature monitoring
sites, many of which have been recording conditions in the sea
for the past 40 years. We are committed to finding new ways to
involve citizens in data collection. For example scuba divers are
being invited to submit their records of temperatures-at-depth from
sites around the UK coast and to collect information on unsual or non-native
species.
Modelling the sea
Our modelling of the North Sea, using climate change scenarios
from the
Hadley Centre climate model, has predicted significant
temperature rises in excess of 3º C over the next 100 years.
Climate warming will increase rates of carbon cycling in the pelagic system, making less carbon
available to the animals living on the seabed. This could result in
fewer benthic organisms with possible
consequences for marine food webs and fisheries.
Early warning
We provide near real-time observations of offshore waves through
the WaveNet network
of buoys. Data from this network is used to improve forecasting of
floods and coastal-erosion risk as well as being part of
the Met Office and Environment Agency's early-warning
capability.
For more information, contact marine.climate@cefas.co.uk.