New Method Developed to Measure CO₂ Absorption by Oceans

A new method to measure CO₂  absorption by oceans was developed by an international team of scientists. This initiative was led by University of East Anglia (UEA), and the CO₂  uptake for the whole of North Atlantic was mapped for the first time.

The study, which is to be published in the Science journal, will provide greater insights into how the oceans act as carbon sinks, and help scientists and researchers to predict how the global climate is changing more accurately.

Early warning systems can also be developed using this new technology to determine whether any ocean sinks are weakening. This weakening of ocean sinks is an initial predictor for more marked climate change, say some scientists.

This study was led by Professor Andrew Watson of UEA’s School of Environmental Sciences. The researchers used an innovative method for their study. They installed chemical sensors in the engine rooms of a network of commercial ships. The data from the sensors was combined with the satellite observations of the surface temperature of the entire North Atlantic Ocean to map the atmospheric CO₂ uptake in the region.

The results of the study indicates that the CO₂ absorption in North Atlantic Ocean is not constant and varies significantly over several years and changes in regional climate also affects the absorption rate.

Andrew Watson said that this is the first time that scientist were able to map CO₂ uptake over a large region of the world by using coordinated network with such accuracy. He further added that this new method enabled them to record variations, which took place from season to season and year to year revealing uptake patterns with great accuracy.

This method of networking could be established in other major oceans that are covered by shipping for studying the carbon uptake in those oceans. The carbon uptake by the oceans is important to slow down the raise of carbon-di-oxide in the atmosphere. Some scientists warn that any weakening of the sink could mean that the climate change is becoming more pronounced.