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Samples for the analysis of dissolved nutrients were collected during the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) from the water column, sea ice cores and from special events/locations (e.g., leads, melt ponds, brine, incubation experiments). Samples for dissolved inorganic nutrients (NO3 +NO2 , NO2 , PO4 , Si(OH)4, NH4 ) were analysed onboard during PS122 legs 1 to 3, with duplicate samples collected from CTD casts for later analysis of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP). From leg 4, all samples collected were stored frozen at -20°C for later analysis. Analyses of stored samples were carried out at the AWI Nutrient Facility between January and March 2021. Nutrient analyses onboard and on land were carried out using a Seal Analytical AA3 continuous flow autoanalyser, controlled by the AACE software version 7.09. Best practice procedures for the measurement of nutrients were adopted following GO-SHIP recommendations (Hydes et al., 2010; Becker et al., 2019). Descriptions of sample collection and handling can be found in the various cruise reports (Haas & Rabe, 2023; Kanzow & Damm, 2023; Rex & Metfies, 2023; Rex & Nicolaus, 2023; Rex & Shupe, 2023). Here we provide data from the water column, obtained from the analysis of discrete samples collected from CTD-Rosette casts from Polarstern (https://sensor.awi.de/?site=search&q=vessel:polarstern:ctd_sbe9plus_321) and Ocean City (https://sensor.awi.de/?site=search&q=vessel:polarstern:ctd_sbe9plus_935). Data from sea ice cores and special events are presented elsewhere. Data from sea ice cores and special events are presented elsewhere. For reference, here we included data from CTD-BTL files associated with nutrient samples. These data are presented by Tippenhauer et al. (2023) Polarstern CTD and Tippenhauer et al. (2023) Ocean City CTD. 

Samples for the analysis of dissolved nutrients were collected during the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) from the water column, sea ice cores and from special events/locations (e.g., leads, melt ponds, brine, incubation experiments). Samples for dissolved inorganic nutrients (NO3 +NO2 , NO2 , PO4 , Si(OH)4, NH4 ) were analysed onboard during PS122 legs 1 to 3, with duplicate samples collected from CTD casts for later analysis of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP). From leg 4, all samples collected were stored frozen at -20°C for later analysis. Analyses of stored samples were carried out at the AWI Nutrient Facility between January and March 2021. Nutrient analyses onboard and on land were carried out using a Seal Analytical AA3 continuous flow autoanalyser, controlled by the AACE software version 7.09. Best practice procedures for the measurement of nutrients were adopted following GO-SHIP recommendations (Hydes et al., 2010; Becker et al., 2019). Descriptions of sample collection and handling can be found in the various cruise reports (Haas & Rabe, 2023; Kanzow & Damm, 2023; Rex & Metfies, 2023; Rex & Nicolaus, 2023; Rex & Shupe, 2023). Here we provide data from the water column, obtained from the analysis of discrete samples collected from CTD-Rosette casts from Polarstern (https://sensor.awi.de/?site=search&q=vessel:polarstern:ctd_sbe9plus_321) and Ocean City (https://sensor.awi.de/?site=search&q=vessel:polarstern:ctd_sbe9plus_935). Data from sea ice cores and special events are presented elsewhere. Data from sea ice cores and special events are presented elsewhere. For reference, here we included data from CTD-BTL files associated with nutrient samples. These data are presented by Tippenhauer et al. (2023) Polarstern CTD and Tippenhauer et al. (2023) Ocean City CTD. 

Central Arctic properties and processes are important to the regional and global coupled climate system. The Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) Distributed Network (DN) of autonomous ice-tethered systems aimed to bridge gaps in our understanding of temporal and spatial scales, in particular with respect to the resolution of Earth system models. By characterizing variability around local measurements made at a Central Observatory, the DN covers both the coupled system interactions involving the ocean-ice-atmosphere interfaces as well as three-dimensional processes in the ocean, sea ice, and atmosphere. The more than 200 autonomous instruments (“buoys”) were of varying complexity and set up at different sites mostly within 50 km of the Central Observatory. During an exemplary midwinter month, the DN observations captured the spatial variability of atmospheric processes on sub-monthly time scales, but less so for monthly means. They show significant variability in snow depth and ice thickness, and provide a temporally and spatially resolved characterization of ice motion and deformation, showing coherency at the DN scale but less at smaller spatial scales. Ocean data show the background gradient across the DN as well as spatially dependent time variability due to local mixed layer sub-mesoscale and mesoscale processes, influenced by a variable ice cover. The second case (May–June 2020) illustrates the utility of the DN during the absence of manually obtained data by providing continuity of physical and biological observations during this key transitional period. We show examples of synergies between the extensive MOSAiC remote sensing observations and numerical modeling, such as estimating the skill of ice drift forecasts and evaluating coupled system modeling. The MOSAiC DN has been proven to enable analysis of local to mesoscale processes in the coupled atmosphere-ice-ocean system and has the potential to improve model parameterizations of important, unresolved processes in the future. 

We report the construction of a single-component optogenetic Rac1 (opto-Rac1) to control actin polymerization by dynamic membrane recruitment. Opto-Rac1 is a fusion of wildtype human Rac1 small GTPase to the C-terminal region of BcLOV4, a LOV (light-oxygen-voltage) photoreceptor that rapidly binds the plasma membrane upon blue-light activation via a direct electrostatic interaction with anionic membrane phospholipids. Translocation of the fused wildtype Rac1 effector permits its activation by GEFs (guanine nucleotide exchange factors) and consequent actin polymerization and lamellipodia formation, unlike in existing single-chain systems that operate by allosteric photo-switching of constitutively active Rac1 or the heterodimerization-based ( i.e. two-component) membrane recruitment of a Rac1-activating GEF. Opto-Rac1 induction of lamellipodia formation was spatially restricted to the patterned illumination field and was efficient, requiring sparse stimulation duty ratios of ∼1–2% (at the sensitivity threshold for flavin photocycling) to cause significant changes in cell morphology. This work exemplifies how the discovery of LOV proteins of distinct signal transmission modes can beget new classes of optogenetic tools for controlling cellular function. 

Abstract The formation of platelet ice is well known to occur under Antarctic sea ice, where subice platelet layers form from supercooled ice shelf water. In the Arctic, however, platelet ice formation has not been extensively observed, and its formation and morphology currently remain enigmatic. Here, we present the first comprehensive, long‐term in situ observations of a decimeter thick subice platelet layer under free‐drifting pack ice of the Central Arctic in winter. Observations carried out with a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) during the midwinter leg of the MOSAiC drift expedition provide clear evidence of the growth of platelet ice layers from supercooled water present in the ocean mixed layer. This platelet formation takes place under all ice types present during the surveys. Oceanographic data from autonomous observing platforms lead us to the conclusion that platelet ice formation is a widespread but yet overlooked feature of Arctic winter sea ice growth. 

Arctic Ocean properties and processes are highly relevant to the regional and global coupled climate system, yet still scarcely observed, especially in winter. Team OCEAN conducted a full year of physical oceanography observations as part of the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of the Arctic Climate (MOSAiC), a drift with the Arctic sea ice from October 2019 to September 2020. An international team designed and implemented the program to characterize the Arctic Ocean system in unprecedented detail, from the seafloor to the air-sea ice-ocean interface, from sub-mesoscales to pan-Arctic. The oceanographic measurements were coordinated with the other teams to explore the ocean physics and linkages to the climate and ecosystem. This paper introduces the major components of the physical oceanography program and complements the other team overviews of the MOSAiC observational program. Team OCEAN’s sampling strategy was designed around hydrographic ship-, ice- and autonomous platform-based measurements to improve the understanding of regional circulation and mixing processes. Measurements were carried out both routinely, with a regular schedule, and in response to storms or opening leads. Here we present along-drift time series of hydrographic properties, allowing insights into the seasonal and regional evolution of the water column from winter in the Laptev Sea to early summer in Fram Strait: freshening of the surface, deepening of the mixed layer, increase in temperature and salinity of the Atlantic Water. We also highlight the presence of Canada Basin deep water intrusions and a surface meltwater layer in leads. MOSAiC most likely was the most comprehensive program ever conducted over the ice-covered Arctic Ocean. While data analysis and interpretation are ongoing, the acquired datasets will support a wide range of physical oceanography and multi-disciplinary research. They will provide a significant foundation for assessing and advancing modeling capabilities in the Arctic Ocean.