The Value of Going To Sea on Big Ships and the Advantage of Multiple Tracers for GEOTRACES Style Programs

Abstract

Following a brief description of a typical GEOTRACES oceanographic cruise, this article illustrates the benefits of the multidisciplinary and multi-tracer approach that has characterized GEOTRACES. The value and organization of this type of research cruise—which requires many people and large vessels—are discussed in relation to the resulting carbon footprint and the potential alternatives.