In:
Global Biogeochemical Cycles, American Geophysical Union (AGU), Vol. 31, No. 3 ( 2017-03), p. 591-604
Abstract:
The Southern Ocean is a key player in the global flow of carbon, yet it is hard to reach, and there are relatively few measurements there, especially in winter. Measuring the amount of carbon dioxide gas in seawater is key to advancing our understanding of the Southern Ocean. More than 74 robotic floats that use sensors to measure seawater properties have been deployed throughout the Southern Ocean, and each has a lifetime of around 5 years. It is currently not possible to directly measure carbon dioxide gas from these floats; however, it is possible to estimate carbon dioxide from things that the float can measure, like pH, a measure of ocean acidity. Here surface ocean carbon dioxide is estimated from several floats and compared to two ship‐based estimates. In some locations, the floats closely match the existing estimates, but in other locations the floats see significantly higher surface ocean carbon dioxide in the wintertime, reinforcing the idea that the Southern Ocean's role in the global carbon cycle needs a closer look. Our results show that despite not measuring carbon dioxide directly, these floats will help scientists learn a lot about the Southern Ocean's part in the global flow of carbon.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0886-6236
,
1944-9224
DOI:
10.1002/2016GB005541
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Publication Date:
2017
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2021601-4
SSG:
12
SSG:
13
Permalink