Announcement
(Updated on 19th February, 2001)

International Workshop on Autonomous Measurements of Biogeochemical Parameters in the Ocean

Honolulu
February 20-22, 2001

Dear Colleague:

We are very pleased to announce an International Workshop on Autonomous Measurements of Biogeochemical Parameters in the Ocean to be held on February 20-22, 2001 in Honolulu. This workshop is co-sponsored by the Japan International Science and Technology Exchange Center (JISTEC) and the Japan National Institute for Resources and Environment (NIRE).

Carbon and its associated biogenic elements have been demonstrated to have significant impact on global climate change. In particular, several national and international observational research projects have made significant contributions to the understanding of biogeochemical processes related to carbon cycling including the roles of the biological and solubility pumps. A central goal of present biogeochemical research is to quantify a host of processes, which span spatial and temporal domains over scales of ten orders of magnitude. Studies have been conducted in several oceanic regions with the majority of the efforts relying heavily upon research vessels. It has become increasingly clear that several different observational platforms including moorings, drifters, floats, gliders, and autonomous underwater vehicles along with ships and satellites will be required to provide more encompassing spatio-temporal biogeochemical data. Sensors and systems for measuring key parameters relevant to carbon and related biogeochemical variables are emerging and are being tested on a limited basis.

The International Workshop on Autonomous Measurements of Biogeochemical Parameters in the Ocean is motivated by the critical need for accelerating progress in developing new autonomous biogeochemical sampling systems which can be deployed from a variety of ocean platforms. The workshop will provide an important opportunity for oceanographers and technologists to exchange ideas and develop new directions concerning autonomous biogeochemical sampling systems and their utilization by the ocean community for research and for quantifying variability related to interannual and longer-term climate change. We welcome contributions in all areas related to biogeochemical sensors and systems including their designs, measurements, and optimal deployment strategies. Some of the key measurements of interest include, but are not limited to: pCO₂, pH, dissolved oxygen, micro- and macro-nutrients, phytoplankton biomass, primary production, and particle fluxes. Contributions are also encouraged in areas concerning: novel measurement approaches for utilizing new technologies (e.g., optics, fiber optics, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS]), miniaturization, means for combating biofouling, remote instrument control, and data telemetry.

An important goal of the workshop is to stimulate international collaborations and cooperative studies in different oceanographic settings. The workshop format will include invited and contributed presentations and will provide time for general discussions in a relaxed setting. We hope that you can join us for what we expect to be an exciting and productive workshop.

Pre-registration:

Participants are listed here (updated on 16 February 2001). If you find any error in it, please let me know immediately. People who are interested in attending the WS but will not give a talk are requested to inform me your name, mailing address and email address.

Equipments for presentation:

An overhead projector, a computer projector and a 35mm slide projector are available.

 

Travel:

JSITEC or a travel agent for the travel arrangement will contact invited speakers in Japan and Europe.
Invited speakers from the USA and Canada should purchase their own air tickets. We will reimburse the expenses at the workshop. Please bring your receipts.

 

Accommodation:

We have reserved a block of rooms in Pacific Beach Hotel for four nights from February 19. Room charge is 15,600 Japanese Yen (about 135 US$) per night. If you want to stay at the hotel, please let me know by the end of January.

Abstract submission:

An abstract should be submitted by February 15, 2001. However, I would appreciate receiving it earlier than the deadline, because we have a very tight schedule. The abstract file must be in formats of MS Word (version 6.0 compatible), Word Perfect (version 6.0 or compatible), RTF, or WFM. Please email your file as an attached file to abstract.ws@procnus.nire.go.jp. Please see the Abstract Instructions.

Extended Abstract submission:

An extended abstract should be submitted by March 10, 2001. Please see the Extended Abstract Instructions. You can find your paper submission code in the workshop program.

Organizing Committee:

Wataru KOTERAYAMA (Chairman, Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University, JAPAN)

Masashi KUSAKABE (Frontier Observational Research System for Global Change, JAMSTEC, JAPAN)

Takashi KIMOTO (Research Institute of Oceanochemistry, JAPAN)

Naoyuki TAKATSU (Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., JAPAN)

Koh HARADA (National Institute for Resources and Environment, JAPAN)

Sponsors:

		Japan International Science and technology Exchange Center (JISTEC)
		National Institute for Resources and Environment (NIRE)

Venue:

	Pacific Beach Hotel, 2490 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu, HI, 96815 Tel: 808-922-1233 Fax: 808-922-0129 URL: http://pacificbeachhotel.com/
	Workshop Secretariat Makoto Nikkawa M & J International 2210-2 Imajuku-cho, Asahi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 241-0813, JAPAN Tel: +81-45-391-7121 Fax: +81-45-361-9681 E-mail: nikkawa@jise.or.jp
	Contact Person Koh Harada National Institute for Resources and Environment 16-3 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8569, JAPAN Tel: +81-298-61-8390 Fax: +81-298-61-8357 E-mail: harada@nire.go.jp