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50-m altitude (i.e., within the bottom boundary layer) and one at the
forecasted discharge depth.
In addition, conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) profiles and
sections should be obtained from the sea surface to the seafloor, to
characterize the stratification of the entire water column. Satellite-data
analysis is also recommended for understanding synoptic-scale surface
activity in the claim area.
The duration of current-meter mooring deployments, and the
frequency and duration of CTD profiling and satellite-data analyses, need to
be specified. These will depend on the time scales of processes and
variability deemed relevant to establishing baseline conditions, which could
include variability associated with seasonal changes, interannual changes
such as El Niño and La Niña, and interdecadal oscillations such as climate
regime shifts 1411 . In addition, the types of satellite-data analyses (e.g.,
ocean colour from the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor [SeaWIFS]
project, sea surface temperature) must be specified.
2.2. Chemical oceanography
The LTC recommendation for chemical oceanographic baseline-data
collection is as follows (paragraph 8(b)):
“collect information on the water column chemistry,
including the water overlaying the nodules.”
To meet these chemical requirements, the following guidelines were
recommended by the Sanya Workshop:
To characterize processes of chemical exchange between the
sediment and water column, dissolved oxygen concentrations,
concentrations of nutrients including nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and silicate,
as well as total organic carbon (TOC) should be measured in the “water
overlying nodules”. Presumably, “water overlying nodules” means water in
the benthic boundary layer and these parameters can be measured from
CTD rosette samples.
To characterize water-column chemistry, vertical profiles of the
concentrations of dissolved oxygen, nutrients (including nitrate, nitrite,
phosphate and silicate) and TOC are required, as well as temperature and
salinity profiles. These measurements should address temporal variability
57 INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY