Abstract
The ocean’s critical role in absorbing anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) and the resulting changes in the ocean carbon cycle are monitored by global-scale observing networks, including the Global Ocean Ship-based Investigations Program (GO-SHIP), Surface Ocean CO2 Observing Network (SOCONET), and Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo). Given the scale of the challenge to characterize the evolving ocean carbon cycle, no single network is sufficient; a coordinated, collaborative, cross-network approach is essential. This manuscript describes the overarching research questions driving these three networks and details their inherent synergies and dependencies, such as GO-SHIP and SOCONET delivering reference-quality measurements for validation of other in situ and satellite-based data, GO-SHIP providing opportunities for float deployment, and BGC-Argo filling gaps with high-frequency autonomous data. We provide recommendations for optimizing these relationships and an intra-network strategy moving forward. As representatives of the science committees for these networks, we are committed to sustaining and enhancing the collaborative structure necessary to fill critical knowledge gaps in ocean carbon cycle research, improve climate prediction, and enable future ocean ecosystem forecasting.
Plain Language Summary
The ocean plays a vital role in absorbing human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide, but this process is changing the ocean’s carbon cycle. Monitoring these vast global ocean changes requires a coordinated approach involving three major ocean observing networks: GO-SHIP, SOCONET, and BGC-Argo. This paper details how to maximize synergies across these networks to close critical knowledge gaps, improve climate prediction, and enable ocean ecosystem forecasts.
Sutton A. J., Bakker D. C. E., Barbero L., Bittig H. C., Carter B., Claustre H., Feely R. A., Ishii M., Johnson K. S., McDonagh E., Nakaoka S.-I., O’Brien K., Pasqueron de Fomervault O., Sabine C., Sanders R., Steinhoff T., Tanhua T., Telszewski M., Tilbrook B. & Wanninkhof R., 2026. Cross-network synergies fundamental to sustained global ocean carbon observing. Earth’s Future 14: e2026EF008722. doi: 10.1029/2026EF008722. Article.
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