This proposal describes research required to prepare and certify reference materials for the quality control of measurements of the parameters of the oceanic carbon dioxide system. Such reference materials are essential to ensure adequate quality control of the measurements planned as part of the JGOFS studies. The reference materials proposed encompass all the four parameters of the oceanic CO2 system: total dissolved inorganic carbon, total alkalinity, pH and the fugacity of CO2 in equilibrium with a water sample. Additional work proposed is relevant to the final goal of obtaining comparable and accurate measurements by a variety of different times during JGOFS. In particular, collaborative studies of the various methods, so as to develop reliable well-tested procedures for sea-going use will be organized and reported on.
