Collaborative Research: Development of the Automated Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Analyzer (AMICA) for Seawater DIC Analyses

海洋碳循环研究和海洋代谢过程研究需要收集高质量的DIC数据。PI建议开发下一代DIC分析仪，能够为所有类型的天然沃茨提供高质量的数据。仪器设计使用市售的红外分析仪和改进的方法来提取，操作样品和测量CO2。该系统建立在由MBARI的Gernot Friederich首先建立的概念验证系统之上。该仪器被称为自动溶解无机碳分析仪。仪器设计的关键要素是：高精度和准确度的DIC分析;分析的可靠性和效率;易用性;良好的样品处理量;在海上和实验室中使用的设计稳健性;低成本;分析一系列样品类型的能力;分析一系列样品体积的能力，适用于分析沉积物孔隙水到海洋样品，广泛的分析范围;易于修改以适应不同的应用。广泛的影响高质量的DIC数据是美国和国际上许多研究计划（美国碳循环科学计划;国际SOLAS和IMBER等）的核心。如果成功的话，这一提议可能会对海洋研究界产生广泛的积极影响。准确测量海洋中溶解的无机碳是解决当前碳和气候研究中最重要问题之一的先决条件，即由于化石燃料燃烧和土地使用变化而排放到大气中的二氧化碳的命运如何。此外，还为博士后和格拉德生提供资金。

Collection of high quality DIC data will be required for studies of ocean carbon cycling and studies of marine metabolic processes. The PI's propose to develop the next generation of DIC analyzer, capable of producing high quality data for all types of natural waters. The instrument design uses a commercially available infrared analyzer and improved approaches to the extraction, manipulation of samples, and the measurement of CO2. The system builds upon a proof of concept system first built by Gernot Friederich at MBARI. The instrument is referred to as the Automated Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Analyzer. Key elements of the instrument design are: highly precise and accurate DIC analyses; reliability and efficiency of the analysis; ease of use; good sample throughput; robustness of design for use at sea and in laboratory; low cost; capability of analyzing a range of sample type; capability of analyzing a range of sample volumes, suitable for analyzing sediment porewater to oceanic samples, broad analytical range and; easily modified for different applications. Development of the instrument for broad community use requires significant technical and intellectual resources.Broader ImpactsHigh quality DIC data are at the core of a number of U.S. and international research programs (U.S. Carbon Cycle Science Program; international SOLAS and IMBER, etc.).If successful, this proposal could have wide ranging, positive impact on the ocean research community. Accurate measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon in the ocean is a prerequisite for addressing one of the most important questions in current carbon and climate research, i.e. what is the fate of the CO2 that we emit into the atmosphere as a result of fossil fuel burning and land-use change. In addition, funding is provided for a post doc and grad student.