During the International Geophysical Year (IGY) in 1957-8 Professor Keeling of Scripps Institution of Oceanography initiated a high precision atmospheric carbon dioxide measurements program at Mauna Loa, Hawaii to study the biogeochemical carbon cycle. This measurement program has been continued and expanded since that time. In the early 1960's the data set available from this program demonstrated conclusively that the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere was increasing at a rate of approximately a third of one percent per year. This increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide is caused primarily by the combustion of fossil fuels. Since carbon dioxide is a "greenhouse gas" it is expected that within a few decades its increased atmospheric concentration will lead to climatic changes. Among the central issues of the carbon dioxide question is the reliability of predictions of future concentrations. Such predictions require an understanding of the biogeochemical carbon dioxide sink and source strengths. In this research project emphasis will be on the measurement of the carbon isotopic composition of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and oceans as a function of space and time. Additionally, high precision measurements of dissolved carbon dioxide will be made at key locations in surface and subsurface ocean water. These, and supporting chemical measurements, will be used to help evaluate the oceans ability to absorb carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere by the combustion of fossil fuels.
