9812513 DeGrandpre Scientists at the Univ. of Montana, Rutgers University, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will collaborate to develop an ocean CO2 profiling capability using underwater technology at Rutgers University's Long-term Earth Observatory (LEO-15) and secondly, to characterize CO2 variability at this coastal location. Work will consist of augmenting an existing profiling system so that it will acquire data from autonomous biogeochemical sensors, including a Submersible Autonomous Moored Instrument for CO2 (SAMI-CO2), O2 and light sensors, and a chlorophyll fluorometer. The profiling system will obtain time and depth-resolved PCO2 , calculated total CO2 (TCO2 ), dissolved 02, chlorophyll fluorescence and light intensity. The high resolution vertical measurements of CO2 , in combination with the other biogeochemical parameters, will provide necessary data for biogeochemical models and for estimating water column biogeochemical inventories. Real-time data acquisition and remote control of the profiler will be incorporated for testing specific questions regarding CO2 cycling. The work will determine if CO2 profiling significantly advances our ability to study and understand the marine CO2 cycle. If proven successful, the research may set the groundwork for a global scale network of in situ biogeochemical profilers to characterize ocean biogeochemical cycles.
