PROCS

Processes at Continental Slopes (PROCS)

The PROCS programme (1999-2004) is an integrated study on the SE continental slope of the Faeroe-Shetland Channel (FSC) combining physical, sedimentological, geochemical and biological investigations. Following a pilot study in 1997, NWO funded the NIOZ-programme proposed by H. Ridderinkhof (coordinator), H. van Haren (Physical Oceanography), the late W. van Raaphorst (Marine Chemistry & Geology) and R. Daan (Biology Oceanography).
The main objectives of PROCS were to determine the relation between the short-term variability of the hydrodynamic conditions and the cross-slope transport and fluxes of particulate biogenic matter and to assess the impact of these processes on the distribution of benthic fauna across the slope. A driving idea behind the project was that repeated reflections of internal waves would focus energy to attractors leading to localized energy dissipation by turbulent mixing affecting sediment resuspension and nutrient transport. Thusfar, locally enhanced internal tidal energy regions have only been found in a numerical model of the FSC (Gerkema, p. 25 of the Royal NIOZ annual report 2002). Intensified currents appeared up to 100 m above the bottom between 300 and 600 m depth. They were not due to fully developed attractors. As will be reported in the next pages, small-scale and detailed observations mainly from sites in Fig. 1 have revealed strong sediment fluxes and turbulent bursting, which were not solely due to internal tidal waves.

Fig 1: Faeroe-Shetland Channel with main PROCS mooring sites on the Shetland-slope. Cross-channel transects were conducted passed the moorings in a direct line to the 200 m isobath of the Faeroe shelf.
Cruise Report PROCS - 64PE137 (April/May 1999) [ ~18 MB ]