Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry Workshop 2009

Abstract

This year's workshop included the following interdisciplinary sessions:

The Next U.S. Carbon Cycle Science Plan: Although the research priorities identified in the 1999 U.S. Carbon Cycle Science Plan still remain important, a new set of challenges must be addressed in the coming decade, including the effects of human activities on carbon cycling, the sensitivity of ecosystems to changes in carbon cycling and climate, and the efficacy and environmental consequences of carbon management practices.

Observing Systems and Time-Series: Ship- and satellite-based ocean observations and time-series form a critical foundation for OCB research. Community planning discussions and input to large-scale national and international planning efforts are essential to ensuring long-term availability of biological, chemical, and ecological data sets that support this research.

The Future of OCB Research in the Southern Ocean: The Southern Ocean represents a key system in the global ocean with a critical role in climate and biogeochemical cycles. There is still a troubling level of uncertainty surrounding the impacts of climate change on circulation, CO2 fluxes, productivity, and ecosystem structure in the Southern Ocean.

Ocean Acidification: Frontiers in Understanding Physiological and Ecological Responses: Ocean acidification is a high-priority OCB research topic. Recent developments such as the passage of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act and the forthcoming NRC report on ocean acidification make this a critical time for soliciting community feedback on new research directions and activities.

Implementing Research at the Intersection of Ocean Chemistry and Biology: Two important efforts that advocate for a more integrated observational approach to better address complex feedbacks between ocean chemistry (e.g., micronutrients) and marine ecosystems are currently underway within the OCB-affiliated programs GEOTRACES and SOLAS.

NACP/OCB Coastal Interim Synthesis Activities: The objective of the coastal synthesis activities is to stimulate the synthesis and publication of recent observational and modeling results on carbon cycle fluxes and processes along the North American continental margin.