English

Joseph Salisbury,University Of New Hampshire ,Antonio Mannino,Burke Hales,William Balch,Rik Wanninkhof,Jeremy Mathis,Bror Jönsson,Bertrand Chapron,Sumit Chakraborty,Nicolas Reul,Douglas Vandemark,Kimberly Yates,Steven Lohrenz,Sergio Signorini

doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.35

Abstract

Space-based observations offer unique capabilities for studying spatial and temporal dynamics of the upper ocean inorganic carbon cycle and, in turn, supporting research tied to ocean acidification (OA). Satellite sensors measuring sea surface temperature, color, salinity, wind, waves, currents, and sea level enable a fuller understanding of a range of physical, chemical, and biological phenomena that drive regional OA dynamics as well as the potentially varied impacts of carbon cycle change on a broad range of ecosystems. Here, we update and expand on previous work that addresses the benefits of space-based assets for OA and carbonate system studies. Carbonate chemistry and the key processes controlling surface ocean OA variability are reviewed. Synthesis of present satellite data streams and their utility in this arena are discussed, as are opportunities on the horizon for using new satellite sensors with increased spectral, temporal, and/or spatial resolution. We outline applications that include the ability to track the biochemically dynamic nature of water masses, to map coral reefs at higher resolution, to discern functional phytoplankton groups and their relationships to acid perturbations, and to track processes that contribute to acid variation near the land-ocean interface.

Highlights

Ocean acidification (OA) is defined as a persistent change to inorganic ocean carbon chemistry caused by the flux of atmospheric anthropogenic CO2 into the upper ocean
Synthesis of present satellite data streams is described, as are opportunities that will become available using satellite sensors with increased spectral, temporal, or spatial resolution. These sensors will provide new capabilities to track the dynamic nature of water masses, map coral reefs at higher resolution, map functional phytoplankton groups and their relationship to ocean acidification (OA), and better understand processes contributing to carbonate system variability occurring at the land-ocean interface
Satellite measurements applicable to pressure of CO2 (pCO2) algorithm development and validation include sea surface temperature (SST) from the Moderateresolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), and other sensors; ocean color products including Chl, primary production, particulate organic and inorganic carbon, dissolved organic carbon derived from the Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS), MODIS, MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS), and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS); and, more recently, salinity from Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) and Aquarius

Summary

Introduction

Ocean acidification (OA) is defined as a persistent change to inorganic ocean carbon chemistry caused by the flux of atmospheric anthropogenic CO2 into the upper ocean. These sensors will provide new capabilities to track the dynamic nature of water masses, map coral reefs at higher resolution, map functional phytoplankton groups and their relationship to OA, and better understand processes contributing to carbonate system variability occurring at the land-ocean interface.

Results

Conclusion