Second Announcement for the 4th Gordon Research Conference on Polar
Marine Science
Sheraton Harbortown
Ventura, CA
16-21 March 2003
The conference agenda is now available at:
http://www.grc.org/programs/2003/polar.htm
For additional information see:
http://www.grc.org
4th Gordon Research Conference on Polar Marine Science:
The Changing Polar Oceans: Impacts of a Changing Climate on Physical,
Chemical, Biological and Coupled Systems
An unprecedented amount of new information has been collected from the
high latitude oceans over the past few decades. This information has
documented the recent large-scale, interannual changes that have
impacted many if not all aspects of the northern and southern polar
ocean systems. The 4th Gordon Research Conference on Polar Marine
Science will endeavor to assess these changes, their physical bases, and
their impacts on physical, chemical, biological and coupled systems.
Generalized characterization of changes as oscillations, abrupt shifts
or long-terms trends will be central to subsequent discussions. Impacts
of the physical changes on upper ocean biogeochemical systems, such as
those involving dissolved oxygen uptake and the pCO2 balance, will be
addressed, as will impacts on benthic-pelagic coupling and the carbon
budget. Use of biological markers, such as diatoms and phaeocystis, will
be discussed within an interannual change context. Impacts of the
changing climate on the sea ice cover, and likely associated changes in
ice biota and in exchange of such substances as CO2 and DMS, will be
considered. An attempt will be made to assess some aspects of concurrent
interannual changes in broader food web variability. Coming full-circle,
there will be discussion concerning use of biological marker species for
paleoceanographic reconstruction of past conditions.
Applications are now being solicited for attendance at this conference.
Ocean scientists working in the north or south polar oceans are
encouraged to attend the conference, present posters and contribute to
the stimulating discussion sessions that are the heart of the Gordon
Conferences. Attendance is by invitation following application, and
will be limited to 135 persons on a first come-first served basis.
Additional information, including a complete agenda for the conference,
can be found at the Gordon Research Conference website at:
http://www.grc.org