UKOARP Theme A: Observations and synthesis to establish variability and trends of oceanic pH
This theme covers a programme of observations, combined with analysis of past and ongoing time series, to determine the magnitude of surface pH variations at seasonal-up-to-decadal time scales. Locations addressed will be the North Atlantic, UK shelf and slope waters, and selected locations in the Southern Ocean and Nordic Seas, using data from time series stations and volunteer observing ships (VOS), measuring three parameters of the marine carbonate system. The observations will be integrated with previous and ongoing international efforts, contributing to the SOCAT dataset, and to the internationally quality-controlled data relevant to ocean pH.
Aims:
- To quantify the rate of progression of ocean acidification in the Atlantic (including European shelf and slope), Southern and Arctic Ocenas, including identification of when/where CaCO 3 undersaturation will occur first.
- To quantify spatial and/or seasonal variability of carbonate system parameters in these areas.
- To improve quantification of the rate of oceanic CO 2 uptake in these areas.
This theme will maintain/upgrade the following existing pCO 2 observations with discrete Total Alkalinity (TA) and Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) sampling for:
- The UK/Caribbean "Geest" line
- The Pride of Bilbao ferry line
- The Western Channel Observatory ( WCO ) and Irish Sea Coastal Observatory ( ISCO )
- The RRS James Clark Ross (previously funded under CARBON-OPS )
New observations will be established covering:
- Weekly sampling for TA and DIC in Ryder Bay at Rothera base by the British Antarctic Survey. This will expand the Rothera Oceanographic and Biological Time Series ( RaTS ) to include carbonate chemistry.
- RV CEFAS Endeavour to be equipped with an underway pCO 2 measurement system to improve coverage in the shelf seas around England and Wales.
- RV CEFAS Endeavour to sample TA and DIC during scheduled work to build up a dataset for UK coastal waters.
- CEFAS "Smartbuoy" sites to be sampled for TA and DIC upto eight times per year on regular service visits to build up time series for each site.
Weblink: http://www.oceanacidification.org.uk/research_programme/co2_uptake.aspx
