Ocean Observatories Initiative removal to begin as US dismantles deep ocean monitoring network

The United States is set to remove a major deep-ocean monitoring network from parts of the North Atlantic and North Pacific, a report said. The system tracked coastal conditions, marine life, and strong currents linked to global climate. The National Science Foundation said ships were being sent in June to begin taking equipment out.

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According to the New York Times, more than 900 deep-sea instruments will be pulled up from moorings. The devices are anchored off Oregon, Washington state, Alaska, and North Carolina. The removals also cover a North Atlantic site between Greenland and Iceland. That area is known as the Irminger Sea.

Ocean Observatories Initiative instruments and removal plan

The instruments belong to the Ocean Observatories Initiative, which started operating in 2016. The system had been expected to run for 25 years. Scientists used its readings to track ocean temperatures and chemistry. That work helped research on marine heat waves. It also supported studies on possible impacts on fisheries.

Researchers also relied on the network to study how oceans take up greenhouse gases. Such absorption affects how fast climate change progresses. Data from sensors and moorings helped scientists check shifting sea temperatures. The information could also flag wider climate shifts. The report said these measurements were used across several research teams.

Ocean Observatories Initiative data and Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current

The Irminger Sea station has been important for tracking changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current. Some scientists fear the current may be weakening as the planet warms, the report said. The New York Times said a collapse could lead to severe weather effects. The Irminger Sea moorings sit 9,200 feet below the surface.

The Irminger Sea equipment forms part of an international effort to study the overturning current. The New York Times said scientists worked together across borders on this site. The instruments are fixed to the seafloor and send back long-term ocean readings. Those time series are used to compare year-to-year shifts. They also help separate natural swings from longer trends.

National Science Foundation decision and Ocean Observatories Initiative partners

Michael England, a spokesman for the National Science Foundation, said the change fits a broader approach. England said the decision aligns with "N.S.F.s wider strategy to have a nimbler approach to prioritizing support for evolving scientific priorities and emerging technologies as well as a deliberate approach to smart life cycle management within its portfolio of research infrastructure.\"

Craig McLean, the acting chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration during the first Trump term, criticised the move. McLean said, \"By dismantling such a system, we push the United States back yet again into a rear seat in global scientific leadership.\" The comment pointed to concern about reduced research capacity.

The network was funded by the National Science Foundation and coordinated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The effort involved Rutgers University, the University of Washington and Oregon State University. With removal work starting in June, the report indicated the long-running monitoring programme is being wound down. Scientists and agencies now face a gap in deep-ocean observations.

With inputs from PTI