Project Title

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

Summary

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

Program Manager:
Dr. David Sutherland

ASC POC/Implementer:
David Rivera / Bruce Felix

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. David Russel Munro
david.munro@colorado.edu
University of Colorado Boulder
CIRES

Location

Supporting Stations: ARSV Laurence M. Gould, RV/IB Nathaniel B. Palmer
Research Locations: Drake Passage

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. Due to the importance of the high latitude oceans as sinks for atmospheric CO2 and the high impact on these regions due to ongoing climate change, our measurements are focused on the high latitude North Pacific, Arctic and Southern Oceans. This project supports the ongoing operation and maintenance of the underway air- sea pCO2 systems installed on the RV/IB Nathaniel B. Palmer (NBP) and ARSV Laurence M Gould (LMG).

Field Season Overview

ARSV Laurence M. Gould This project supports ongoing surface measurements of the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) from aboard the LMG. In addition, discrete measurements will be made from water samples collected underway. All sampling and data collection will be supported by marine staff onboard USAP-funded cruises and transit vessel movements.

RV/IB Nathaniel B. Palmer 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