Development of Instrumentation for Continuous Field-Based Measurements of Atmospheric and Oceanic Ar/N2, O2/N2, and CO2/N2 ratios and related isotopic tracers

这一重大研究仪器发展奖授予加州大学圣地亚哥分校斯克里普斯海洋研究所，为开发对大气Ar/N2、O2/N2和CO2/N2比率及相关同位素示踪剂进行连续、极高精度测量的能力提供资金。其目标是利用对Ar/N2比率变化的测量，结合对大气混合的其他限制，遥测大气和海洋之间的大范围热量交换，从而为船只、花车和卫星的观测提供廉价的补充。快速的大气混合率意味着，适度的Ar/N2观测计划可能会限制广泛区域的综合热交换，例如整个大洋盆地或整个半球。拟议的方法使用两个同位素比质谱仪，一个部署在斯克里普斯研究所，另一个部署在研究船上，以提供所需的地理和时间采样，以观察由于热通量变化而预测的同位素比变化。采样程序包括定制的进样系统，旨在解决与烧瓶采样相关的精度错误所确定的问题。舰载系统将包括正在进行的溶解于表层海水中的气体的收集，并将有10个收集器，范围从28到45个质量，提供对一些重要示踪剂的同时测量。这一发展的更广泛影响在于改进全球气候模型的能力，提高我们预测人为投入如何影响气候变化的能力。该项目还将让学生和一名博士后研究员参与一项尖端研究开发。斯克里普斯海洋研究所从非联邦资金中提供了该项目设备成本的30%。这项提议得到了美国国家科学基金会海洋科学部的支持。***

0421546KeelingThis Major Research Instrumentation development award to Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego campus provides funds for the development of a capability to make continuous, extremely high precision measurements of atmospheric Ar/N2 , O2/N2, and CO2/N2 ratios and related isotopic tracers. The goal is to use the measurement of changes in the Ar/N2 ratio, combined with other constraints on atmospheric mixing, to remotely sense the large-scale exchanges of heat between the atmosphere and ocean, thus providing an inexpensive complement to observations made by ships, floats and satellites. Rapid atmospheric mixing rates mean that a modest program of Ar/N2 observations can potentially constrain the heat exchange integrated over wide areas, such as full ocean basins or an entire hemisphere. The proposed approach uses two isotope ratio mass spectrometers, one deployed at Scripps Institution and one aboard a research vessel, to provide the geographic and temporal sampling needed to observe predicted change in isotope ratios due to changes in heat flux. The sampling procedures include a customized inlet system, and are designed to address concerns identified with errors in precision associated with flask sampling. The shipboard system will include underway collection of gases dissolved in surface sea water, and will have ten collectors spanning masses 28 to 45, providing simultaneous measurement of a number of important tracers. The broader impacts of the development are in the ability to improve global climate models, improving our ability to predict how anthropogenic inputs impact climate change. The project will also involve students and a postdoctoral investigator in a cutting edge research development. Scripps Institution of Oceanography is providing 30% of the equipment costs of the project from non-federal funds. This proposal is supported by the Division of Ocean Sciences at NSF. ***