Long-term oceanographic monitoring in Horsund Region (Longhorn)

Long-term OceaNoGraphic monitoring in HORnsuNd region (LONGHORN) has been realized since 2015. It is a continuation of a previous project led by the Department of Polar and Marine Researchers Institute of Geophysics Polish Academy of Sciences (DPMR IG PAS). This monitoring has been implemented to benefit scientific communities interested in processes which undergo in fjords, especially on the border between marine, glacial and coastal environment. Still a little is known about those processes, even though they are causally related to the observed climate change. However, the analysis of those processes is very problematic. Lack of long-term datasets from fjords with glaciers is one of the relevant problems. Data are typically obtained during research cruises or short-time measurement campaigns, usually performed in spring and summer. The location of the Stanislaw Siedlecki Polish Polar Station (PPS) in Hornsund gives an opportunity to establish long-term all-year oceanographic monitoring. In Hornsund, two sets of oceanographic and associated photographic monitoring are in progress. The first set of oceanographic monitoring is executed by PPS staff. It includes: measurements of temperature, salinity, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen in-depth profiles in stations covering the whole Hornsund; analyses of suspended sediment concentration and loss on ignition from water samples taken in-depth profiles in Hansbukta (forefield of Hansbreen); analyses of sediment flux and loss on ignition from sediment traps deployed in Hansbukta (forefield of Hansbreen). The second set of oceanographic monitoring is realized via autonomous underwater buoys set up by DPMR IG PAS researchers. It includes: - temperature and salinity all-year registration in a selected location in Hornsund; wave and tide all-year registration in a selected location in Hornsund; - ambient noise acoustic all-year registration in Hansbukta (forefield of Hansbreen). Autonomous photographic monitoring is realized via cameras localized on Ariekammen, Fugleberget, Fannytoppen, Baranowskiodden, and Fuglebergsletta. They are used in the analysis of sea state and ice conditions in Isbjornhamna and Hansbukta.

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