1. THOR-CT3 Summary 26 September 2012
Bert Rudels
Bogi Hansen
Hendrik M. van Aken
Karin Margretha H. Larsen
Kerstin Jochumsen
Stephen Dye
Anna Friedrichs
Gerard McCarthy
Nuno Nunes
Steingrímur Jónsson
Detlef Quadfasel
Svein Østerhus
Katrin Latarius
Rolf Käse
Bee Berx
Stuart Cunningham
Jürgen Fischer
Hedinn Valdimarsson

2. THOR Core Theme 3 Observations of the North Atlantic THC
WP 3.1 Sustained observations of ocean properties and fluxes through key sections (Svein Østerhus)
Task Monitoring the inflow of Atlantic water to the Nordic Seas
Task Monitoring the dense water overflow across the GSR
Task Monitoring the export of deep waters at the exit of the Labrador Sea
Task Validating variability of climate models against MOC/THC observations
WP 3.2 Monitoring watermass formation in convection regions south of the ridge (Jürgen Fischer )
Task Monitoring convection in the central Labrador Sea
Task Monitoring convection in the central Irminger Sea
WP 3.3 Process studies (Bert Rudels)
Task Entrainment of ambient waters into the overflows
Task Fresh water transport north of Iceland

3. Deliverables from CT3 2011/2012
D24: 30 Nov. 2011
Strategy for monitoring fluxes across the shallow parts of the Greenland-Scotland Ridge. (UIB) DONE
D25: 30 Nov. 2011
Reference data set on long-term variability AR7E section. (NIOZ) DONE
D26: 30 Nov. 2011
Data set and entrainment estimates from DS experiments. (FMI) DONE
D36 Final data set for fluxes across key sections, from observational and modelling approaches UIB
D37 Final data sets for convection sites and AR7E overturning 3.2 8 GEOMAR
D38 Time series data of freshwater transport in the EIC FMI

4. THOR Deliverables with contributions from CT3
D28 (WP4.2) Assessment of the impact of ocean observations on the predictability of the THC
D34 (WP2.1) Updated evaluation of ocean state estimates, taking account of new observations during the project (historical surface salinity plus new observations from CT3 and outside)
D41 (WP4.2) Report on ocean observing systems needed for decadal predictions of the THC
D42 (WP5.1) Report on the use of near real time data transmission systems and their potential to increase the accuracy of Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation assessments and predictions
D44 (WP6.1 and all) Overall assessment of priorities for observing system, data assimilation and model develop for a quasi-operational THC decadal forecast system
D45 (WP6.1) Final Scientific Report to Commission

5. Deliverables from CT3 November 2012
D36 Nov 2012
Final data set for fluxes across key sections, from observational and modelling approaches. (UIB)
D37 Nov 2012
Final data sets for convection sites and AR7E overturning (GEOMAR)
D38 Nov 2012
Time series data of freshwater transport in the EIC. (FMI)

6. D36: Final data set for fluxes across key sections, from observational and modelling approaches. (UIB)

7. Transport (mass and heat) observatories
AGU, 2003
NACLIM
MAIA

8. Atlantic inflow to Arctic

9. Atlantic Volume Transport across the GSR

10. Atlantic inflow temperature 1950 – 2010
Shetland branch
Faroe branch
Iceland branch

11. The GSR overflow

12. D37: Final data sets for convection sites and AR7E overturning (GEOMAR)
Topography of the Irminger Sea between Greenland and the Reykjanes Ridge. The hydrographic stations of the AR7E section as it was surveyed in 2011 are shown as white dots. In the Irminger Sea, west of the Reykjanes Ridge, these are typical for all surveys of the WOCE AR7E line since The mooring locations LOCO2 and LOCO3 where the near bottom temperature and salinity were measured continuously are indicated as stars. The white bar shows the approximate location of the Angmagssalik current meter array, mentioned several times in the text. The grey squares show the locations where since 1991 the lowest near bottom potential temperature was encountered per survey. Hendrik M. van Aken, , M. Femke de Jong1 NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, Texel, Netherlands

13. D38: Time series data of freshwater transport in the EIC. (FMI)

14. Final reports
The EC requires from the project two "final reports": one is a scientific report, the other is mostly an impact/dissemination report.
The scientific final report: this will consist of  a book with a 30 pages summary of the major THOR project results divided by core theme. This was decided at the Bergen meeting in Nov This means that each core theme should produce a minimum of 6 pages in A4 listing the results achieved.
The second report needs also your input on the following:
The potential impacts (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far) of the results achieved in the Core Themes. **
the main dissemination activities implemented in the past 4 years and
indication of the exploitation of results  **

15. THOR objectives for Core Theme 3
THOR will develop and operate an optimal ocean observing system for the North Atlantic component of the THC. This observation system, consisting of arrays of self contained instruments as well as ship- and space-borne measurements, will provide accurate time series of mass, heat and salt fluxes at key locations, allowing for the first time to assess the strength of the Atlantic THC.
Quantification of the THC related mass, heat and salt fluxes in the subpolar and in the subtropical Atlantic on seasonal to decadal time scales:
An observing system for measuring the fluxes will be established, consisting of self contained moorings, ship- and space borne measurements and autonomous instrumentation. These time series will be supplemented and extended in time with flux estimates from models with data assimilation.
Recommendations for observational and modelling systems:
Based on observation and model analysis specific recommendations will be made for the development of sustained observational and modelling systems, to improve the skill of decadal THC forecasts

16. THOR is a project financed by the European Commission through the 7th Framework Programme for Research, Theme 6 Environment, Grant agreement