The increase in the production and emission of anthropogenic CO2 and its absorption by the oceans leads to a reduction in oceanic pH, a process referred to as ocean acidification, which affects many other physicochemical processes. Atmospheric CO2 is expected to continue its increase, and consequently the chemical changes will likely continue well into the future, affecting the ocean biogeochemical cycling. In order to characterize the ocean’s chemical and ecosystem-related changes, examination of CO2 system parameters over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales is necessary. Shipboard analyses in oceanic time series conducted during irregular ocean expeditions, which lasted between a fortnight and a month, have provided most of our understanding of recent trends in the oceanic CO2 system. However, our ability to make frequent autonomous measurements over a broad range of spatial scales would greatly augment the current suite of open-ocean and coastal observations.
Gonzáles-Dávila M., Santana-Casiano J. M. & Prêcheur-Massieu H., in press. New pH sensor for monitoring ocean acidification. Sea Technology Magazine. Article.
