Historical dataset: Data outputs from the project TRAcer andCirculation inTheNORdic Seas Region TRACTOR 2001-2004

TRAcer and Circulation in The NORdic Seas Region A research project supported by the European Commission under the Fifth Framework Programme and contributing to the implementation of the Key Action "Global Change, Climate and Biodiversity" within the Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development. Contract Nr. EVK2-2000-00080 Start and end dates: February 1, 2001 to January 31, 2004 Project coordinator: Truls Johannessen, Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen and Bjerkens Centre for Climate Research. truls.johannessen@gfi.uib.no Overall objectives

Describe and quantify the present circulation and water mass transformation processes in the Nordic Seas regions using primarily observations of the long term spread of a tracer purposefully released into the Greenland Sea Gyre in 1996. Improve our understanding of ocean processes critical to the thermohaline circulation in the Nordic Seas regions so as to be able to predict how this region may respond to climate change. Assess the role of mixing and ageing of water masses on the carbon transport and the role of the thermohaline circulation in carbon storage using water transports and mixing coefficients derived from the tracer distribution.