Project Title

Investigating biogeochemical fluxes and linkages to climate change with multi-scale observations in the Drake Passage

Summary

Event Number:
O-214-N
NSF / NOAA Agreement

Program Director:
Dr. David Porter

ASC POC/Implementer:
Kenneth Vicknair / Bruce Felix

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. David Russel Munro
david.munro@noaa.gov
University of Colorado Boulder
CIRES
Boulder, Colorado

Location

Supporting Stations: RV/IB Nathaniel B. Palmer
Research Locations: Southern Ocean

Description

The Southern Ocean plays an important role in the global carbon cycle and yet the timing, magnitude, and trends of key biogeochemical fluxes in this region remain poorly known due in large part to a lack of surface ocean data. The primary objective of this project is to collect observations of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in the surface ocean needed to assess the current state and long-term change of the flux of carbon dioxide (CO2) between the atmosphere and ocean. Researcher measurements are focused in the North Pacific, Arctic, and Southern Oceans to better understand air-sea carbon fluxes over high-latitude oceans, a large uncertainty in future climate change scenarios. This project supports the ongoing operation and maintenance of the underway air-sea pCO2 systems installed on the RV/IB Nathaniel B. Palmer.

Field Season Overview

This project supports ongoing surface measurements of the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) from aboard the RV/IB Nathaniel B. Palmer. In addition, discrete measurements will be made from water and air samples collected underway. A permit to collect data within the Argentine EEZ has not been requested. All sampling and data collection will be supported by marine staff onboard U.S. Antarctic Program-funded cruises and transit vessel movements. No additional sea days are required.

Deploying Team Members