GCOS GOOS WCRP/OOPC IX/3 

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Ecosystem  and  Dynamics  (GLOBEC)  program.  These  programs  provide  critical  links  for 

observing  systems  to  science  needs  and  research based  observations.  They  are 

interdisciplinary  and  involve  good  connections  to  the  OOPC  concerning  carbon  and  other 

interdisciplinary variables. In particular, OOPC interests are matched in terms of forcing and 

feedbacks for biogeochemistry, ecosystems, and climate variability. 

SOLAS  research  areas  include:  1)  air sea  interaction,  2)  CO

2

,  DMS,  and  other 

radiatively active gases and their effects, 3) the penetrative component of solar radiation and 

its  modulation,  and  4)  pH  as  it  is  decreasing  and  its  effects  on  coral  reefs  and  their 

ecosystems.  The  IMBER  program  concerns:  1)  global  change,  natural  and  anthropogenic 

forcings  and  impacts  on  biogeochemical  cycles  and  ecosystem  dynamics,  2)  questions  that 

involve  impacts  and  alterations  of  relations  between  elemental  cycling  and  ecosystem 

dynamics, and 3) feedback mechanisms of the Earth system from these changes. 

The  discussion  then  focused  on  interdisciplinary  sensors  and  platforms.  Some  of  the 

variables  that  are  now  accessible  using  different  interdisciplinary  sensors  with  various 

platforms are listed below: 

   CO2 / O2   ships (underway), moorings, drifters 

   Macronutrients (nitrate, phosphate, silicate, ammonia)   ships (underway), moorings, 

drifters, AUVs, gliders 

   Micronutrients/Trace elements (iron)   ships, moorings 

   Optics   PAR, Spectral to hyperspectral inherent and apparent optical properties for 

quantifying variables including penetrative component of solar radiation, particle size 

distributions, phytoplankton biomass, primary productivity, phytoplankton by 

groups/species (i.e., HABs, etc.), particulate organic carbon, bioluminescence   most 

platforms including profiling floats, color satellites (hyperspectral coming) [see 

Oceanography June 2004] 

   Fluorescence   phytoplankton biomass, carbon assimilation rates   most platforms for 

fluorometers 

   Optical plankton counters (sheet optics)   ships, moorings, AUVs, cables 

   Video systems for identifying plankton   ships, moorings 

   Acoustic backscatter (single and multi frequency) for zooplankton biomass and 

distributions   ships, moorings 

There  are  several  emerging  sampling  capabilities  as  well.  These  include:  DNA 

samplers  on  ships  and  moorings,  mass  specs  and  flow  cytometers  on  moorings  and  large 

AUVs,  and  chemistry  and  biology  on  a  chip,  emerging  micro  and  nano  technologies.  The 

platforms that can be used for deploying these instrumentation systems are evolving as well. 

These  include  improved  autonomous  and  remotely  operated  vehicles,  cable serviced 

observatories, moored and drifting profilers, and gliders. 

There remain several important challenges for interdisciplinary sampling of the ocean. 

These  include  endurance  under  adverse  conditions,  biofouling,  integration  of  systems,  cost 

and resource identification, optimal strategies for sampling, and for some systems, power and 

bandwidth requirements. Synthesis of the data with models remains a challenge, though there 

is  growing  interest.  International  cooperation,  coordination,  and  capacity building  remain 

challenges as well, but have been helped by the efforts of POGO. The transfer of technology 

from outside oceanography might provide an important way forward.