Autonomous Particulate Inorganic Carbon Sensor and Carbon Explorer Deployment

PI要求提供资金，以完成颗粒无机碳(PIC)传感器的开发，以创建一个集成系统，用于自主绘制一套表征海洋生物泵特征的参数。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。它是为侧边CTD组件以及自主、中性浮力浮标和滑翔机而设计的。海洋的生物碳泵每年输出约10pgC的100米以下的颗粒有机物。它是由浮游植物种群提供燃料的，这些浮游植物种群在周时间尺度上完全翻转。因此，生物碳泵是快速和非常动态的，但用传统方法很难观察到。由于二氧化碳引起的全球海洋变暖和海洋酸化的影响，其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)的浓度变异性，将能够预测海洋不断演变的碳循环。对PIC动力学的了解是理解和预测碳沉积和再矿化深度分布的基础。更广泛的影响：这项工作的更广泛影响是显而易见的，它促进了对海洋碳循环的更好理解。这对于追踪海洋在人为二氧化碳的去向中所起的作用至关重要。如果能够轻松、自主地测量PIC的概况，将以极少的成本、运费和工作量提供大量急需的数据。这也将是对目前正在进行的对深海中存在的颗粒进行成像的工作的补充。PI指导了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.