Collaborative Research: Observation and Prediction of Ocean Acidification in the Western Arctic Ocean - Impacts of Physical and Biogeochemical Processes on Carbonate Mineral States

调查人员将利用目前计划在波弗特海每年停泊一次的船只时间，评估北冰洋西部的海洋酸化情况。在2011-2013年9月的这些巡航中，研究人员将收集样品，用于测量碳酸盐系统参数、无机营养物质、溶解氧、氧同位素和氧/氩比，以及持续进行的溶解氧、氧/氩比和二氧化碳分压的测量。这些数据将用于深入了解北冰洋西部海洋酸化的程度；影响文石和方解石饱和状态的关键物理、化学和生物过程；以及对远洋和底栖生物群落的潜在影响。水柱观测数据将与相关的NSF AON（北极观测网络）资助的系泊数据合成，包括温度、盐度、硝酸盐、氧气、二氧化碳分压和pH值，以及该地区其他游轮收集的碳和水文数据。在每个野外季节，PI将前往几个土著村庄，在城镇会议和课堂上讨论海洋酸化的潜在影响。这项工作将有助于在各种科学计划和实施结构下进行协调的碳循环研究，这些研究旨在对碳预算和通量及其调控机制进行准确估计。一名博士后科学家将直接参与这项工作，研究成果将被纳入一门本科课程和两门研究生课程，由首席研究员讲授。

The investigators will assess ocean acidification in the western Arctic Ocean, using ship time that is currently scheduled for annual mooring turnarounds in the Beaufort Sea. On these cruises, in September of 2011-2013, the investigators will collect samples for measurement of carbonate system parameters, inorganic nutrients, dissolved oxygen, oxygen isotopes, and oxygen/argon ratios, as well as continuous underway measurements of dissolved oxygen, oxygen/argon ratios, and pCO2. These data will be used to gain insights and perspectives into the extent of ocean acidification in the western Arctic Ocean; the key physical, chemical, and biological processes influencing the saturation states of aragonite and calcite; and potential impacts to pelagic and benthic communities. Water column observations will be synthesized with data from the associated NSF AON (Arctic Observing Network)-funded mooring, including temperature, salinity, nitrate, oxygen, pCO2, and pH, as well as carbon and hydrographic data collected on other cruises in the region. During each field season the PI will travel to several native villages to discuss the potential impacts of ocean acidification at town meetings and in classrooms. The work will contribute to carbon cycle studies coordinated under a variety of science plans and implementation structures that aim to establish accurate estimates of carbon budgets and fluxes and the underlying mechanisms that regulate them. A postdoctoral scientist will participate directly in this work, and results will be incorporated in one undergraduate level course and two graduate level courses taught by the lead investigator.