Acronym: OCB-044
Program: Ocean Carbon & Biogeochemistry [OCB]
Url: Project Web Site
Start date:
End date:
Geolocation: Equatorial Pacific
Description:

from www.us-ocb.org

The equatorial Pacific plays an important role in the global carbon cycle and climate change because it is the largest natural source of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere, contributing ~70% of interannual variability of atmospheric pCO2. The oceanic pCO2 data from the past two decades indicate significant seasonal-to-decadal variations, and the size of the equatorial Pacific source is significantly influenced by El Niño and La Niña events. There is nearly-continuous record of high-quality ocean color data from SeaWiFS going back to 1997. In the more recent years, combined use of SeaWiFS and MODIS data yields improved coverage and data quality. These satellite observations provide better understanding of the oceanic “biological pump”. These remote sensing observations together with the in situ data are ready to be incorporated into carbon cycle modeling study.

The research proposed here will focus on the magnitude, spatial patterns, seasonal-to-decadal variability in the air-sea exchange of CO2 in the equatorial Pacific. The idea behind the proposed work is to take advantage of the wide range of in situ and remote sensing products to delivery best estimates of the magnitudes and distribution of carbon source of the Equatorial Pacific on seasonal to decadal time scales. The objectives of this project are: (1) to investigate the sensitivity of carbon fluxes to gas transfer algorithms and atmospheric pCO2; (2) to study how the wind forcing regulates the spatial and temporal variability of biogeochemical processes and carbon cycle; and (3) to determine the size of the carbon source of the equatorial Pacific, its seasonal to decadal variability.

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More information about project Seasonal to decadal variations of the oceanic pCO2 and air-sea flux of CO2 in the equatorial Pacific
Funding
Datasets associated with Seasonal to decadal variations of the oceanic pCO2 and air-sea flux of CO2 in the equatorial Pacific
Platform deployments associated with Seasonal to decadal variations of the oceanic pCO2 and air-sea flux of CO2 in the equatorial Pacific
People associated with Seasonal to decadal variations of the oceanic pCO2 and air-sea flux of CO2 in the equatorial Pacific