What do BATS data tell us about the ocean?

Contour plot of temperature and mixed layer depth at BATS

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This section is left intentionally incomplete. We envision that Classroom BATS participants will themselves explore what BATS data can tell us about the ocean by using the tools in the CBATS Toolbox. Exploration of the resources available via Classroom BATS will allow users to address such questions as:
  1. How does the temperature and salinity of the sea water at the BATS site change from the surface to the seafloor? Why are these temperature and salinity profiles important?
  2. How does the temperature and salinity of the sea water at the BATS site change with time (from month to month or year to year)? Why are changes in these temperature and salinity profiles through time important?
  3. How much carbon dioxide does the ocean at BATS absorb from the atmosphere? How much carbon dioxide does it release to the atmosphere? How do temperature, salinity, and the biological properties of the ocean affect the ocean's exchange of carbon dioxide with the atmosphere?
  4. What species of phytoplankton and zooplankton live in the water column at the BATS site? How abundant are these organisms? How do their abundance and species composition change through time? Why do their abundance and species composition change through time?
  5. How much of the carbon that is taken up by phytoplankton during photosynthesis is transported to the deep sea? How might this influence the greenhouse effect?
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