Ocean Acidification Carbonate Chemistry Facility
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Sch of Ocean and Earth Science
Abstract
The burning of fossil fuels is releasing vast quantities of extra carbon dioxide to the Earth's atmosphere. Much of this stays in the atmosphere, raising CO2 levels, but much also leaves the atmosphere after a time, either to become sequestered in trees and plants, or else to become absorbed in the oceans. CO2 staying in the atmosphere is a greenhouse gas, causing global warming; CO2 entering the sea makes it more acidic, and the ongoing acidification of seawater is seen in observational records at various sites where time-series data are collected. The changing chemistry of seawater due to ocean acidification is mostly well understood and not subject to debate. What is much less well known is the impact that the changing chemistry will have on marine organisms and ecosystems, on biogeochemical cycling in the sea, and on how the sea interacts with the atmosphere to influence climate. We propose to run a carbonate chemistry facility to undertake high quality sample analysis of DIC and TA for other research groups in the UK Ocean Acidification Programme who lack the appropriate expertise and instrumentation.
Organisations
Publications
Clarke JS
(2015)
Characterisation and deployment of an immobilised pH sensor spot towards surface ocean pH measurements.
in Analytica chimica acta
Gledhill M
(2015)
Influence of ocean acidification on the complexation of iron and copper by organic ligands in estuarine waters
in Marine Chemistry
Paul A
(2015)
Effect of elevated CO<sub>2</sub> on organic matter pools and fluxes in a summer Baltic Sea plankton community
in Biogeosciences
Tynan E
(2016)
Physical and biogeochemical controls on the variability in surface pH and calcium carbonate saturation states in the Atlantic sectors of the Arctic and Southern Oceans
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Description | We are running ca. 1000 samples per year for researchers in the NERC funded UK Ocean Acidification community |
Exploitation Route | High quality carbonate chemistry data has been provided to other scientsists |
Sectors | Environment |
Description | The Carbonate Chemistry Facility has provided support to researchers in the UK Ocean Acidification Programme. We have analysed samples for other researchers and also have given advice. |
First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |