Autonomous Particulate Inorganic Carbon Sensor and Carbon Explorer Deployment

PI的请求资金用于完成颗粒无机碳（PIC）传感器的开发，以创建一个集成系统，用于自动分析表征海洋生物泵的一系列参数。拟议的系统将测量PIC、颗粒有机碳（POC）和碳通量指数（CFI）叶绿素荧光、电导率和温度以及可能的其他参数。这套传感器将表征海洋的生物泵，以及它对不断变化的环境条件的敏感性。它被设计为在侧CTD包以及自主，中性浮力浮子和滑翔机。海洋的生物碳泵在100米以下每年输出大约10 Pg C的颗粒有机物。它由浮游植物种群提供燃料，这些浮游植物在一周的时间尺度上完全翻转。因此，生物碳泵是快速的并且非常动态的，但是通过常规手段观察得很差。二氧化碳引起的全球海洋变暖和海洋酸化的影响所带来的大量碳流量的变化是不可预测的。更好地观察关键的生物泵变量，包括颗粒无机碳和颗粒有机碳（PIC和POC）的浓度变化，将有助于预测海洋碳循环的演变。了解PIC动态对于了解和预测碳沉降和生物矿化深度剖面具有根本意义。 这项工作的更广泛影响显然在于促进更好地了解海洋碳循环。这对于追踪海洋在人为CO2命运中的作用至关重要。为了能够容易地和自主地测量PIC的轮廓，将以非常少的成本、运输时间和努力提供大量急需的数据。它还将补充目前正在进行的对深海中存在的粒子进行成像的工作。PI指导大量的本科生和研究生，并将让他们参与这些测试的结果。该项目涉及一名本科生协助实验室测试和海上实地试验。

The PI's request funding to complete the development of Particulate Inorganic Carbon (PIC) sensors to create an integrated system for autonomous profiling of a suite of parameters that characterize the ocean's biological pump. The proposed system will measure PIC, Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) and a measure of the Carbon Flux Index (CFI) chlorophyll fluorescence, conductivity and temperature, and likely other parameters. This suite of sensors will characterize the ocean's biological pump, as well as its sensitivity to changing environmental conditions. It is being designed for over-the-side CTD packages as well as autonomous, neutrally buoyant floats and gliders. The ocean's biotic carbon pump exports approximately 10 Pg C/year of particulate organic matter below 100 m. It is fueled by phytoplankton populations, which turn over completely on week time scales. The bio-carbon pump is thus fast and very dynamic, but is poorly observed by conventional means. The changes in its substantial carbon flows brought by effects of CO2 induced global ocean warming and ocean acidification, are not predictable. Better observations of key biological pump variables, including concentration variability of Particulate Inorganic Carbon and Particulate Organic Carbon (PIC and POC) will enable prediction of the evolving carbon cycle of the ocean. Knowledge of the PIC dynamics is fundamental to the understanding and prediction of carbon sedimentation and depth profiles of remineralization.Broader Impacts: The broader impacts of this work are clear in its fostering of a better understanding of the ocean carbon cycle. This is critical to track the role of the oceans in the fate of anthropogenic CO2. To be able to easily and autonomously measure profiles of PIC would provide a wealth of badly needed data for remarkably little cost, shiptime, and effort. It would also compliment the work currently being done to image the particles that exist in the deep sea. The PI instructs a large number of undergraduate and graduate students and will involve them in the results of these tests. The project involves an undergraduate assisting in laboratory testing and at sea field trials.