Northwest Passage Science and Early Career TrainingDr. Laurie Juranek and Dr. Emily Eidam, Oregon State UniversityThis project involves marine research and early career scientist training on the USCGC Healy transit of the Northwest Passage from Kugluktuk, Canada to Nuuk, Greenland. We aim to instill best practices in managing objectives of interdisciplinary science teams and working effectively with the US Coast Guard, international partners, and Indigenous communities in planning and executing a cruise and communicating results broadly to local communities and the public.Science research questions: (1) Can we fill gaps in data on Northwest Passage seafloor bathymetry and map navigational hazards? (2) How does transport of water through the Northwest Passage fit into the broader Arctic Ocean circulation? How do water parcels change chemically and physically? (3) How can we improve models of the growth and decay of sea ice based on meteorological, sea ice, and ocean surface condition data?For (1), we propose to fill critical bathymetric gaps, help work toward complete seafloor mapping, and aid navigational hazard identification. We will work with Canadian Researchers from NRCAN and GSC to prioritize mapping locations. We also propose to collect seabed samples to improve an atlas of seabed sediments in development by Canadian researcher Dr. David Mosher. We will use samples to help train early career scientists in sampling methods and allow them to collect benthos, genomic data, and nutrient data.For (2) we will monitor surface seawater while transiting using shipboard sensors, in order to understand how the chemical composition of seawater changes through the region with the flow of ocean currents. We will collect vertical profiles of water column properties as well as water samples to analyze properties including conductivity, temperature, nutrients, and other properties using a ship-based profiler at select sites and using small expendable sensors between stations. Water samples will be stored onboard and returned to individual laboratories for analysis.For (3), we will collect meteorological and ocean surface measurements (drift rates, wind speeds, ocean surface temperature and salinity, light profiles) near sea ice and from an ice-based station. We also plan to collect ice samples if possible by drilling small holes with an auger.We very much hope to build connections with regional hamlets and to reflect their knowledge and interests in our research and training efforts. We plan to visit Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay this spring to connect with communities before the busy summer season. We also hope to organize a community event in Kugluktuk in late July to facilitate informal knowledge exchange among the community, our science party, and the USCG vessel officers prior to departure. We understand the importance of communicating our findings to local communities, and will plan an in-person follow-up trip in 2025.Data will be shared with the GSC and NRCAN and sent to Indigenous permitting authorities. Data collected in transit will be shared within 6 months of the survey. Data from discrete samples/measurements will be shared within 2 years of the survey (some require processing time).