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Content archived on 2024-04-30

Determining the co2 flux in the Atlantic ocean and its relationship to plankton activity

Objective



Research objectives and content
The oceans have a fundamental role in global climate change. Due to human activity, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is increasing and there is a paucity of knowledge on the fate of atmospheric CO2. The aim of this project is to better document and understand the CO2 distribution in the At- lantic ocean using data collected by ships of opportunity. An automated CO2 system has been installed on two ships of opportunity, the RMS St Helena, sailing from Cardiff to Cape Town on a 6-8 week schedule, and the RRS James Clark Ross, sailing from Grimsby (UK) to Montevideo (Uruguay) twice a year. The project will focus on the tropical region and subtropical gyres to esta- blish relationships between the components of the planktonic system and the partial pressure of CO2. Algorithms will be developed to link the CO2 con- centration and ocean color.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
The objective of the training is to link remote sensed parameters and ocea- nic CO2 concentration. It will allow to extrapolate shipboard measurements to basin-scales and then provide a more accurate estimate of the CO2 flux in the Atlantic ocean. Such an approach can then be used to refine the carbon budget for the global ocean.
Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)

Call for proposal

Data not available

Coordinator

NERC Centre of Coastal and Marine Sciences
EU contribution
No data
Address
Prospect Place West Hoe
PL1 3DH Plymouth
United Kingdom

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Total cost
No data

Participants (1)