Falkor (too) Joins Carbon Network With Underway pCO2 System Installation

Scientists at NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory have installed an underway pCO2 system on the research vessel Falkor (too) as part of a new collaboration with the Schmidt Ocean Institute. The system performs continuous surface measurements of the ocean's accumulation of atmospheric carbon dioxide as the vessel sails across the Atlantic. The partnership expands the Surface Ocean CO2 Network, providing critical data in some of the most scarcely sampled and remote areas of the open ocean.

 

Details of the Installation

 

NOAA scientists have installed a new system. It is an underway pCO2 system. It went on the research vessel Falkor (too). This is part of a new collaboration. The partner is the Schmidt Ocean Institute.

The system performs continuous measurements. It measures the ocean's carbon accumulation. This concerns atmospheric carbon dioxide. It works as the vessel sails. This covers voyages across the Atlantic.

 

The Network Expansion

 

The installation expands a monitoring network. It joins the Ships of Opportunity Program. It expands the Surface Ocean CO2 Network. This collects ocean and atmospheric data. It works in near-real time.

The network fills data gaps. It targets scarcely sampled areas. These are remote open ocean regions. The South Atlantic has been a gap. Fewer vessels traverse this region.

 

The Scientific Importance

 

The work addresses a critical issue. The ocean is Earth's largest carbon sink. It accumulates billions of tonnes of CO2. This occurs each year. It is part of the natural carbon cycle.

Rising carbon has serious effects. It leads to more acidic waters. This impacts vital fisheries. Coral reefs are also affected. Monitoring this cycling is therefore essential.

 

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How the System Works

 

The system enables specific monitoring. It measures partial pressure of CO2. This compares atmosphere and surface ocean. It works while the vessel is at sea. Data is transmitted in near-real time.

The system focuses on surface exchange. It targets air-sea gas exchange. This is the marine boundary layer. This differs from ocean interior studies. Other programmes cover the deeper ocean.

 

The Data Process

 

The data undergoes rigorous processing. Scientists quality-control it carefully. This is done by a dedicated team. The data is then integrated. It joins an international repository.

This repository is widely used. It holds millions of data points. These are surface ocean measurements. Renowned institutions leverage it. This supports global carbon research.

 

Significance of the Partnership

 

The partnership fills a key gap. The vessel will perform South Atlantic cruises. These span several years. It investigates biogeochemical processes. These fuel remote Atlantic ecosystems.

The data serves broader purposes. It helps assess ocean carbon uptake. It also has local value. It aids understanding of anthropogenic carbon. This helps mitigate effects on ecosystems.