Nasa/Gsfc Research Activities for the Global Ocean Carbon Cycle

Book excerpt: There are increasing concerns that anthropogenic inputs of carbon dioxide into the Earth system have the potential for climate change. In response to these concerns, the GSFC Laboratory for Hydrospheric Processes has formed the Ocean Carbon Science Team (OCST) to contribute to greater understanding of the global ocean carbon cycle. The overall goals of the OCST are to: 1) detect changes in biological components of the ocean carbon cycle through remote sensing of biooptical properties, 2) refine understanding of ocean carbon uptake and sequestration through application of basic research results, new satellite algorithms, and improved model parameterizations, 3) develop and implement new sensors providing critical missing environmental information related to the oceanic carbon cycle and the flux of CO2 across the air-sea interface. The specific objectives of the OCST are to: 1) establish a 20-year time series of ocean color, 2) develop new remote sensing technologies, 3) validate ocean remote sensing observations, 4) conduct ocean carbon cycle scientific investigations directly related to remote sensing data, emphasizing physiological, empirical and coupled physical/biological models, satellite algorithm development and improvement, and analysis of satellite data sets. These research and mission objectives are intended to improve our understanding of global ocean carbon cycling and contribute to national goals by maximizing the use of remote sensing data.Gregg, W. W. and Behrenfield, M. J. and Hoge, F. E. and Esaias, W. E. and Huang, N. E. and Long, S. R. and McClain, C. R.Goddard Space Flight CenterCARBON CYCLE; OCEANS; REMOTE SENSING; NASA PROGRAMS; AIR WATER INTERACTIONS; RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT; TIME SERIES ANALYSIS; WATER COLOR; ANNUAL VARIATIONS; ALGORITHMS; SATELLITE OBSERVATION