General Context
Biogeochemical-Argo is poised to address a number of grand challenges in ocean science and in the management of ocean and global resources, topics that are difficult, if not impossible, to address with our present observing assets. Further, these are topics of immediate importance to society in the face of a changing climate and the need for greater protection of ocean resources. The observing system described here will enable significant advances to be made in these areas.
Ocean science research
- Will ocean carbon uptake continue at the same relative rate as the ocean warms? (Carbon uptake)
- How does the volume of Oxygen Minimum Zones change in time? How does this affect the cycling of nitrate? (OMZs and NO3 cycle)
- What is the variability and trend in ocean pH? How does the changing carbonate saturation state affect biogeochemical processes? (Ocean acidification)
- What are the interannual variations in the biological carbon pump? Will its strength be reduced in a warmer ocean? (Biological Carbon pump)
- What is the composition of phytoplankton communities? How will it affect higher trophic levels and carbon cycling? (Phytoplankton communities)
Ocean Management
- Does real time data improve management of living marine resources? (Living marine resources)
- Does an improved ocean carbon budget lead to greater constraints on terrestrial carbon fluxes and a better understanding of global actions to reduce atmospheric CO2? (Carbon budget verification)
Major research and management topics and sensors applicable to topics. indicates direct relevance and indicates indirect relevance through a calibration function.
| Research and management topic | O2 |
NO3 |
pH |
Chla |
Suspended particles |
Downwelling irradiance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon cycle | ||||||
| Anthropogenic carbon uptake by the ocean | ||||||
| Variability in the biological pump | ||||||
| Variability in NCP | ||||||
| Mesopelagic respiration | ||||||
| Particulate export | ||||||
| Ocean deoxygenation / denitrification | Ocean acidification variability | |||||
| Effects of changing carbonate saturation state | ||||||
| Marine resource management | ||||||
| Reducing error in ocean carbon budget | ||||||
| Ocean Color validation | ||||||