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Ocean Climate Observation

A small boat sails a team of researchers across the dark ocean, with floating ice in the background.

Biden-Harris Administration, NOAA invest $1.8 million to expand critical ice and ocean observations in the Arctic

Expanded infrastructure could ‘revolutionize’ research in the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. This is a repost of a NOAA.gov press release published October 1, 2024. Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced a $1.8 million award to support the development, procurement and deployment of innovative ocean monitoring technologies in NOAA’s Arctic Research Program. These technological advances will […]

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Oceanic measurements of carbon dioxide continue to decrease, as reported in this year’s ocean carbon data atlas

SOCAT annual update for 2024 released The release of this year’s Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCATv2024) on June 19th revealed that the number of oceanic measurements of the climate change-driving greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), has continued to decrease, following a downward trend since 2018. The number of observations submitted to this annual update is

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An aerial image of Florida and the southeastern United States, with swirls of ocean currents shown. The Florida current is highlighted, and hugs the south and eastern margin of Florida.

Reassessing the stability of the Florida Current: New insights from 40 years of observations

This is a repost of NOAA AOML’s original story published September 5, 2024 There is growing scientific interest in quantifying how large-scale ocean circulation is evolving as part of a changing global climate. Of particular interest is the potential weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).  However, the strength of the Florida Current, a key component of the

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Biogeochemical Floats can be Used to Improve Measurements of Sea-Air CO2 Exchanges, Study Shows

Biogeochemical Floats can be Used to Improve Measurements of Sea-Air CO2 Exchanges, Study Shows A study published as an early online release on Global Biogeochemical Cycles shows the value of calibrated biogeochemical floats for providing data measurements of surface ocean partial pressure of CO2 ( pCO2sw ), which is measured to determine air-sea CO2 exchanges.  A certain degree of uncertainty

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Mixed-layer carbon cycling at the Kuroshio Extension Observatory

Mixed-layer carbon cycling at the Kuroshio Extension Observatory A study published in Global Biogeochemical Cycles contributes evidence that the Kuroshio Extension transition zone is a biological hot spot for carbon cycling within the North Pacific carbon sink region.  Researchers used data recorded over seven years at the NOAA Kuroshio Extension Observatory surface mooring in the North Pacific Ocean. NOAA

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Deep Argo floats deployed in the Pacific

  Steve Piotrowicz, program manager at CPO’s Office of Climate Observation joined the crew of the R/V Tangaroa in mid-June for a Deep Argo Development cruise. The R/V Tangaroa, operated by New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research sailed from Wellington, New Zealand on June 16, 2014. The R/V Tangaroa, operated by New Zealand’s National

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New Video Series from NOAA Ocean Today Explores the Role of Sea Ice in the Ocean​

New Video Series from NOAA Ocean Today Explores the Role of Sea Ice in the Ocean The 2012 Arctic summer sea ice extent is the lowest since taking measurement. In a new three-part video series from NOAA Ocean Today, learn about sea ice and why it is so important; how scientists are detecting and measuring change

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