Project Brief: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

NIST Measurement Science and Engineering Research Grants

A BUOY SENSOR TECHNOLOGY FOR LONG-TERM SUBMERGED OBSERVATION OF THE MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE SYSTEM AND ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION

Develop buoy-sensor technology that will improve the ability to understand the origin, distribution, biogeochemical role, and eventual fate of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in marine ecosystems.

RECIPIENT: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA

• Project duration: 3 Years
• Total NIST Funding: $1,046,438

This project proposes to develop and demonstrate new measurement capability by developing buoy technology that will improve the ability to understand the origin, distribution, biogeochemical role and eventual fate of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in marine ecosystems. This measurement technology is very important to greenhouse gas programs, as oceans are a principal sink for atmospheric CO₂. This work can be expected to inform the debate about climate change, and produce new knowledge about oceans in ways that cannot now be anticipated. If successful, this research will assist oceanographic and climate modelers by providing more reliable data relating to the acidity, total dissolved inorganic carbon, and 13C/12C isotopic ratio of carbon in marine ecosystems.

Public contact (for project information):

Stephanie Murphy, 508-289-3340
media [at] whoi.edu (media[at]whoi[dot]edu)

NIST Program Office Contact:

Jason Boehm, 301-975-8678Jason.boehm [at] nist.gov (
Jason[dot]boehm[at]nist[dot]gov)