Climate Change Monitoring (Live pCO2 system)
Global monitoring of ocean CO2
is required for climate predictions and calculating global carbon
budgets. The oceans play a key role in the global climate
system as the Earth’s major reservoir and pathway for heat,
freshwater and carbon and has a direct impact on coastal
populations as a result of sea level change. Better knowledge of
climate impacts on the marine environment is vital for improved
forecasts of changes and for informing policy.
This project involves the development of a live on-board climate
change monitoring system which samples seawater and atmospheric
CO2 concentrations. The system also allows for the
real-time transmission of such data by satellite associated with a
live remote control system.
Measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations
in the atmosphere and ocean are essential for monitoring changes in
carbon sinks and climate. A Live pCO2 system
has been developed with other partners. To date, a number of
systems are in operation and being tested under real-life
conditions on UK research vessels. With some development these
systems could also be installed for totally unsupervised (‘Green
Button’) operation on commercial ships, for use in monitoring
purposes.
The system samples seawater and atmospheric CO2
concentrations using onboard instruments that combine robust,
auto-calibrating, cost-effective technologies with a low
maintenance, semi-autonomous design. Satellite communication
capabilities allow real-time data transmission and live system
control to be carried out remotely.
The innovative aspects of this system are:
- Conventional systems require a greater
level of management and monitoring;
- This system is specifically designed for
semi-autonomous, ship-borne and underway operation;
- Requires no attendant scientist which
reduces financial and time costs;
- Data can be made available in
real-time;
- Real-time remote control of systems.
